The South Bucks Standard, and Advertiser for Wycombe, Marlow, Slough, Friday 16 September 1898
Hitchcock - Goodearl
The Wesley Chapel, Priory-road, presented an animated, though exceedingly picturesque, scene on Wednesday morning, when were solemnized the nuptials of Mr. Henry Cooper Hitchcock, sixth son of Mr. Joseph Eunals Hitchcock, Brockford Stowmarket Suffolk and Miss Ellen (Nellie) Goodearl, eldest daughter of Mr. Benjamin Goodearl, chair manufacturer, of Desborough-road, Wycombe. Despite the fact that weddings have been very frequent of late, the interest centred in this matrimonial function was intense, and many friends of the contracting parties assembled within the sacred edifice in Priory-road. The family to which the bride belongs is very well- known and highly respected in the town, and, in fact, throughout the country. The bride herself is an esteemed and popular young lady, her earnest work in connection with the Victoria-street Chapel and its Sunday School gaining for her many friends. She has been a most energetic teacher in the school during the past four years, in which capacity she had endeared herself to the scholars and teachers alike. The rest of the Goodearl family, too, materially assist in the management of the chapel; in fact, they are really the mainstay of the place. Therefore it is no wonder that Wesleyans and other friends should have assembled in large numbers on such a festive occasion, and they were rewarded by seeing a most impressive spectacle. The Rev. W. Earl, superintendent minister of the circuit, performed the ceremony, which was fully choral. The parties arrived at the church in good time, and during the interval awaiting the bride's appearance the organist very very effectively played Mallon's " March of the Victors" and "Concerto” (in G minor) by Mendelssohn.
The bride entered the church leaning upon the arm of her father, who gave her away, and was immediately the centre of attraction. She was very prettily attired in a dress consisting of pure alpaca blanche, with trained skirt. The bodice was made with a full satin waistcoat, tastefully draped with fine silk lace, beaded trimming, and satin ruches, with the usual sprays of orange and myrtle blossoms. This dainty gown was completed by a beautiful bridal veil, worn over a tiara of orange blossoms, richly embroidered with white silk flowers. She carried a handsome shower bouquet, in composing which Mr. G. T. Miles had tastefully arranged a profusion of white lilies. stephanoits, tuber roses, and maidenhair fern. Further adornment was found by the gold and pearl brooch, which was fastened to the neck of the bride's bodice, and which had been given by the bridegroom
Miss Fannie Goodearl (sister of the bride). Miss Kate Hitchcock, and Miss Lily Hitchcock (sisters of the bridegroom) discharged the duties appertaining to the office of bridesmaids, and Mr. Jos. Hitchcock (brother of the bridegroom), of Hastings, was best man. The bridesmaids' dresses consisted of fine white embroidered Swiss muslin over a delicate shade of lettuce green. The flounces and frills were edged with valenciennes lace. Broad green moire sashes added to the prettiness of the dresses, whilst white hats, trimmed with wings and chiffon, formed an imposing headgear. Each bridesmaid carried a shower bouquet (the gift of the bridegroom), which consisted of tuber roses, stephanotis, maidenhair fern, and pink latharus odorato. The bride's mother was richly attired in black silk, trimmed with jet and cream chiffon; and also wore a fawn bonnet, trimmed with pale blue and jewelled wings. The mother of the bridegroom was also attired in a handsome black silk, trimmed with jet and lemon chiffon: her shaded mauve velvet bonnet having upon it ospreys and jet.
The service was rendered additionally pleasant by the brilliant rays of the sun, which came through the many windows of the sacred edifice in all their radiancy, resting upon the happy couple as they stood or knelt before the officiating minister. A hymn was sung during the service, commencing with the following verse:-
Saviour, let Thy sanction rest
On the union witnessed now;
Be it with Thy presence blessed;
Ratify the nuptial vow;
Hallowed let this union be,
With each other and with Thee.
As soon as the service had concluded the bride's father-in-law implanted a kiss upon her blushing cheek. As the newly wedded pair proceeded to the vestry to sign the final document the organ resounded with Mendelssohn's" Wedding March," which Mr. Woodbridge played very effectively.
The wedding breakfast took place in a tent erected upon the lawn immediately in front of Mostyn House," the residence of the bride's parents, during which the bride and bridegroom were the recipients of many wishes for future happiness and prosperity, which we hope may be realised. The wedding party were photographed by Messrs. Sweetland and Starling, of Frogmoor. The happy couple left Wycombe by the four o'clock train for Hertford, where the honeymoon will be spent. The bride's travelling dress consisted of a shaded cornflower blue cloth, trimmed with silk to match. She also wore a pretty hat of fawn, daintily trimmed with ribbon and corn- flowers.
The presents which the bride and bridegroom received were, besides being numerous, of a hand- some and costly character.