A Christmas Wedding of 1913
This gives you an idea of how a wedding was reported in the newspapers in the year of 1913.
A Pretty Christmas Wedding of 1913
A very beautiful church wedding was solemnized in the Presbyterian Church at Hillsdale, Monroe County, at 7’oclock on Christmas Eve, 1913, when Miss Ruby Orne Pritt became the charming bride of Mr. Albert Ellis Givens. Rev. R. B. Hudson, using the ring ceremony, conducted the impressive marriage service.
The church was tastefully decorated with evergreens and Christmas bells and an arch in front of the pulpit….the color scheme being pink and green. The church was thronged with friends and relatives; and at an appointed hour to the stately music of the bridal march from “Lohengrin”, given by Miss Nannie Campbell. Little Miss Nannie Gaye Pritt, sister of the bride, acting as ring-bearer, and little Miss Grace Givens, sister of the groom, bearing the license on the tray of ferns, led the bridal procession. The pretty little lassies, dressed in white mulle and pink ribbons, entered the aisles and slowly marched to the front…..there they crossed and stood beneath the arch. Following them came Miss Adele Watkins and Mr. Albert Givens; Miss Annie Givens and Mr. Kenneth Nickell; and Miss Gertrude Burdette and Mr. Wiley Givens. Then, the bride leaning on the arm of the maid of honor, Miss Tula Rose Givens, preceding the groom escorted by the best man, Mr. Willie H. Pritt. The bridal party gracefully assembled under the arch beneath the holly and mistletoe. The ushers were Messrs. Fulton Givens and Carl Pritt.
The bride’s gown was of white crepe de chine over white messaline set off with pearls. She carried white bride roses. Her white tulle veil was looped up with orange blossoms and she presented an ideal vision of bridal loveliness. The maid of honor wore pink crepe de chine and shadow lace and carried white carnations. The bridesmaids wore shadow lace over white messaline, with pink girdles and pink carnations. The groomsmen wore the conventional black.
The bride is the elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. N. N. Pritt of Pickaway, this county. Her beautiful character and lovable disposition endear her to a host of friends. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. O. Givens of Keenan, this county. He is one of Monroe’s best farmers and an estimable young man.
Numerous and valuable were the presents received, among them a tablecloth made in the old Keenan home by the bride’s great aunt, Mrs. Ammen, 75 years ago.
An elegant wedding supper was served at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Pritt, near the church. An enjoyable reception was given in honor of the bride and groom at the home of the latter’s parents on Christmas afternoon at 2 o’clock. The happy couple expect to make “Breezy Hill” their home.
Submitted by Peggy Dillon Flouer
UHS Class of 1955