Weddings are always a wonderful occasion for family and friends.
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Readers have been treated with a selection of wedding announcements from years gone by thanks to Marie Nielson from the Dungog Historical Society.
Hicks - Allen 1921
Dungog Chronicle Tuesday, June, 21 1921
A pretty wedding was celebrated at St. Andrew's Church, Dungog, on Wednesday afternoon last, 15th inst., when Ella Banks, third eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs G. Allen, 'Melbee,' Dungog, was joined in wedlock to Wilfred Roy Hicks, youngest son of Mr H. Hicks, Clarence Town.
The ceremony was performed by Rev .D. M. Benjamin. The church was prettily decorated by friends of the bride. Miss Gladys Robson officiated at the organ. The bride, who entered the church on the arm of her brother, who afterwards gave her away looked charming in a frock of ivory crepe de chene, prettily hand embroidered.
She also wore the usual wreath and veil, and carried a bouquet of pink and white roses and asparagus.
Miss Alma Allen, sister of the bride, looked nice in a mastic crepe de chene frock with pink and mastic bead trimmings, and wore a black bonnet shaped hat. Her bouquet was of pink and cream roses.
Mr Roy Allen, brother, of the bride, acted as best man. The bridegroom's present to the bride was a gold necklet and to the bridesmaid a wristlet watch.
The bride's present to the Bridegroom was a pair of gold initialed sleeve links.
The wedding breakfast was held at 'Melbee,' Rev. D. M. Benjamin presided. The usual toasts were honored. Mr and Mrs Hicks afterwards left for Newcastle where their honeymoon is being spent.
The bride's traveling dress was a navy crepe de chene, and vieux rose hat touched with navy. The presents were numerous and costly, including several cheques.
Smith - Neilson 1903
Dungog Chronicle Tuesday 14th July, 1903
Bandon Grove Church was the scene of a pretty wedding on the 1st inst., when Miss Ada Alice Getting Neilson and Mr William Edwin Smith were united in matrimony by the Rev P McQueen.
As the bride entered the church, Miss Elsie Irwin played the Wedding March.
The bride was neatly attired in a trained gown of white silk trimmed with tucks, lace and insertion, together with the customary wreath and veil, and carried a beautiful bouquet of flowers, the gift of Mrs SV Smith.
The bridesmaids were Miss Prudie Smith and Miss Eva Neilson, while Mr Frank Ikin acted as best man. The bride was the recipient of some handsome and useful presents. Mrs Callaghan, of Dungog, prepared the wedding breakfast, at which the health of the young couple was proposed and honoured.
Edwards - Golden anniversary 1901
Dungog Chronicle, January 8, 1901
The 1st January was celebrated with much rejoicing at Melbury, Upper Williams, it being the 50th anniversary of the marriage of Mr and Mrs W Edwards, snr., of that place.
The worthy couple were married in the Paterson in the year 1850, and have resided in that district and the Williams until the present time, where they enjoy the respect and esteem of an extraordinary large circle of friends.
A notable feature of the occasion was that the bridesmaid of the former occasion was also present to support the bride at the golden wedding and sat on her left, their children, of whom there are nine, are all living, seven being present to the right of their parents with a golden coin as a memento of the day. Mrs W Deards also prepared a golden wedding cake.
The health of the bride and bridegroom was proposed by Mr H Deards, and was heartily responded to.
Mr and Mrs Edwards descendants number 58 living, and consist of nine children, 45 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren, and out of those were present 7 children, 25 grandchildren and the four great grandchildren, and a large number of relations and friends.
During the evening Mr W Deards, jnr., sang "The Golden Wedding" in capital style. At night a dance was held, at which everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and songs were rendered by Mr Bartlett, Flaherty, Deards and others. Mr Leslie Grey gave a recitation "The Bushman's Brigade" in good style.
At daybreak refreshments were again provided, after which all departed for their respective homes, after again wishing the host and hostess many more years of health and happiness and cherishing the hope that they would have the pleasure of present at the happy couple's diamond wedding.
Edwards - Jubilee of Wedding 1911
Dungog Chronicle 3rd February, 1911
Melbury - An interesting function took place on Thursday , the 26th instant, when the jubilee of the wedding of Mr & Mrs William Edwards was celebrated by the gathering together of 62 of the descendants of the old couple.
Mr Edwards came to this country in 1836, being then only 7 years of age; he was born in Gresford (Wales).
Mrs Edwards hails from Weisbaden (Germany), and arrived here in 1849, at the age of 17. The parents of both took up their residence on the Allyn River, and there, 60 years ago, the then young couple were married.
For the past 53 years they have been growing rich in the Williams River district. Besides the 62 descendants resent on Thursday, there are 58 others, making a total of 120, 32 of these being great grandchildren.
The occasion was celebrated by a dinner given at Melbury House, the table being artistically decorated and liberally supplied with viands, the place of honor being given to the beautiful wedding cake (from Mrs Walker, of Dungog) and bearing, besides the date, "Home sweet home, health, happiness, and prosperity", and the number of years the couple have lived together as husband and wife. Mr & Mrs Edwards received their guests with some emotion, the presence of so many dear ones being al almost too joyful event.
They looked so vigorous and happy, all were led to hope that another wedding day (the Diamond) may come around for them, and assured the district would benefit by a lengthened stay of the old people with us. Mr & Mrs Edwards are liked and respected by a very wide circle of friends, and many will hear with interest of this jubilee celebration of the good old folks.
We hope you are enjoying this series of wedding-related articles that have originally appeared in the Chronicle. The articles are thanks to the research by Marie Neilson from the Dungog Historical Society. The society has even had a request from New Zealand for more information on following the article going on the Dungog Chronicle website. The museum can be contacted on 49 922 094.
Read more - Weddings of Yesteryear: Part 1