Weddings are always a wonderful occasion for family and friends.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Readers have been treated with a selection of wedding announcements from years gone by thanks to Marie Nielson from the Dungog Historical Society.
Howell - Irwin 1901
Dungog Chronicle - March 29, 1901
On Wednesday evening, 20th at the Bandon Grove Church, a farewell tea meeting was tendered to Miss Bella Irwin, prior to her departure from the district.
A large gathering of people were present, and after the refreshments had been partaken off, the guest of the evening was presented with a handsome Bible as a token of the respect and esteem in which she is held by the residents of that district.
Several gentlemen referred in complimentary terms to the good qualities of Miss Irwin, and her willingness as a church worker, having been organist in that church for the last nine years.
It is not often the good people of Bandon Grove and district have the opportunity of witnessing such an attractive wedding as that which took place at the Bandon Grove Church on Wednesday morning last, when the Rev P McQueen, of Dungog (Presbyterian) united in the holy bonds of matrimony Miss Bella (Isabella) Irwin, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Thomas Irwin, to Mr John E Howell, of Newcastle.
The church, which had been profusely decorated by the friends of the bride, was crowded with spectators. The bride, who was given away by her father, looked fascinating in a dress of white voile trimmed with chiffon and orange blossoms; she wore the customary wreath and veil, and carried a beautiful shower bouquet.
As the newly wedded couple left the church they were literally showered with rose leaves and rice, the Wedding March being played by Miss Elsie Irwin on the organ.
The bridesmaids were Misses Evelyn Irwin and Eva and Isabel Dixon. The former was neatly attired in purple bengaline costume trimmed with cream silk; the latter two looked very nice in cream cashmere dresses with hats to match.
Each bridesmaid was the recipient of a handsome gold brooch, the gift of the bridegroom. The duties of the best man were ably carried out by Mr Fred Irwin.
After the carriage ceremony a magnificent reception was held at the residence of the bride's parents at Tillegra, a large number of guests being present at the breakfast, the excellent quality of which is beyond description. The Rev P McQueen proposed the health of the bride and bridegroom, to which Mr Howell responded.
The bridegroom proposed the bridesmaids, the best man responding. Mr Thomas Irwin proposed the health of Mr McQueen, to which the Rev gentleman responded. After the breakfast Mr and Mrs Howell left for Sydney, where they will spend their honeymoon, returning to Newcastle, where they will in future reside.
The bride was the recipient of many valuable and useful presents. We wish Mr and Mrs Howell every happiness and prosperity in their new home.
Yates - Griffin 1901
Dungog Chronicle - September 3, 1901
The opening bud of spring has already brought forth orange blossoms in the little hamlet of Thalaba.
On Monday last, 26th August, at the house of the bride's parents, Miss Harriet Jane Griffin, eldest daughter of Mr Alfred Griffin, was united in matrimony to Mr Cecil John Yates, second son of Mr Albert Yates.
The ceremony was performed by Pastor T McIlroy, of Plattsburg, assisted by Pastor D Watson, in the presence of a large number of relatives and friends.
The bride, who was given away by her father, was prettily attired in a cream Japanese silk, trimmed with lace and ribbon; she also wore a hat to match, and carried a bouquet of flowers.
The bridesmaids were Miss Nellie Griffin, sister of the bride, who wore white hail muslin trimmed with lace insertion and blue ribbon, with hat to match; Miss Minnie Yates, sister of the bridegroom, her dress being of white Indian linen, trimmed with lace, insertion, and white satin ribbon, with hat to match, and Miss Florrie Yates, niece of the bridegroom, who looked very pretty in white muslin, trimmed with lace and ribbons; each carried a bouquet of flowers.
Mr Thomas Griffin acted as best man, and Mr W Yates as groomsman. After the ceremony the guest adjourned to the dining room, where the wedding breakfast was served. Later in the afternoon the happy couple left for their future home, the bride's travelling dress being blue costume cloth with hat to match. The presents were numerous and costly.
Moore - McDonald 1901
Dungog Chronicle - April 16, 1901
A very pretty wedding was celebrated in the Union Church, Munni, on Wednesday 10 th April, the contracting parties being Mr William Moore, of Glenmore, and Miss Catherine Ellen McDonald, of Munni.
The bride, who was given away at the altar by her father, Mr John McDonald, looked charming in a costume of white Indian linen, trimmed with lace and ribbon, and wore the customary wreath and veil, and carried a beautiful bouquet. Mr A McDonald acted as best man.
Miss A Moore, sister of the bridegroom, attended the bride, and looked lovely in a costume of cream lustre, trimmed with lace, and hat to match. The Rev P McQueen, of Dungog, performed the interesting ceremony. After the ceremony about 30 guests followed the bridal party to the residence of the bride's parents, where a very sumptuous breakfast was partaken of.
Later in the afternoon the happy couple left for Sydney, where they are spending their honeymoon.
The travelling dress was a navy blue lustre, coat and skirt with cream flowered silk vest, and hat to match. They were the recipients of many costly and useful presents from their many friends and relatives.
Lowrey - Irwin 1901
Dungog Chronicle - August 16, 1901
One of the prettiest and most attractive wedding that has been seen in Dungog.
It took place at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church on Wednesday afternoon last, when the Rev P McQueen united in the holy bonds of matrimony, Miss Bella (Annabella b 1876) Irwin, second daughter of Mr and Mrs Richard Dunbar (m 1873 Laura Alexander) Irwin, of this town, and Mr George Lowrey, second son of Mr and Mrs W Lowrey, of Fosterton, the former now deceased.
The interior of the church present quite a picturesque appearance, having been beautifully decorated by members of the choir, of which the bride had been a member for a number of years.
The building was packed with visitors and friends of the bride, and as she entered the church, Mr RW Skillen, presiding at the organ, played the Wedding March. The choir then sang The Voice that breathed o'er Eden. The marriage ceremony being completed, the party adjourned to the residence of the bride's parents, where a sumptuous breakfast awaited the guests.
The bride, who was given away by her father, looked lovely in a neat costume of Shanghai silk trimmed with chiffon and white silk lace; she also wore a beautiful wreath and veil, and carried a pretty shower bouquet, the gift of the bridegroom. Miss Agnes Irwin, sister of the bride, as chief bridesmaid, was dressed in pale blue muslin trimmed with white lace and satin ribbon; white rice straw hat trimmed with white glace silk and chiffon and tips, and carried a shower bouquet.
Miss Emily Lowrey, sister of the bridegroom, and Miss Ethel Margaret Irwin, sister of the bride, each wore charming dresses of white Indian linen trimmed with lace and white satin, white chip hats trimmed with chiffon and tips, and each carried a shower bouquet, Miss Ennie Boots, cousin of the bride, wore white muslin over pale blue prettily trimmed with white lace and insertion, white leghorn hat trimmed with chiffon and tips. Mr WJ Lowrey acted as best man, and Mr Cecil Lowrey and Mr Arthur D Irwin as groomsmen.
During the afternoon the happy couple left for Sydney, where they will spend their honeymoon. Among the many valuable and useful presents received by the bride was a massive silver cruet presented by the members of the choir.