Viola Tree
(The North China Herald [UK] - 10th August, 1912)
MISS VIOLA TREE MARRIED - THE WEDDING OF THE SEASON
From Our Lady Correspondent.
London, July 15.
"All the world loves a lover" and the wedding of Miss Viola Tree and Mr. Alan Parsons was a real love match, so that, apart from all other considerations, it interested every woman in London, and not a few men, too, to judge by the crowds that assembled on the church steps and all around St. Martin-in-the-Fields to say nothing of the National Gallery, on Thursday, July 11.
It is a fine old church, very wide and light, with an old-fashioned oak gallery and a box, just like the ones in theatres, over the chancel, in which George III is said to have sat when he was Royal Churchwarden. From quite an early hour it was the scene of much activity. The church was decorated with pots of madonna, lilies, placed sentinel-wise at the head of each pew, and the chancel was a mass of such country flowers as honeysuckle, delphimiums, lupins, gladioli and sweetpeas, while bunches of moss roses were tied to the rails of the pulpit stairs. The favours for the wedding guests were bunches of violas, in all colours, and there were so many that the bridesmaids, when the time came for distribution, had to toss them to many of the guests they were in such demand.
The wedding was really a triumph of organization. In spite of the number of guests, there was no confusion. There was a full musical service, with Sir Walter Paratt at the organ and a West End choir to sing, while Sir Herbert Tree's orchestra from His Majesty's filled the gallery. Yet, truth to tell, the music was far from attractive. Perhaps a wedding is one of those occasions when familiar tunes and melodies stir the heart the most.
The Dresses
The bride herself looked lovely in a very rich white satin dress made, simply, after an old Empire design, with the hem sewn with orange blossom, and long mitten sleeves of old lace coming from under little poufs of the satin. Lady Tree gave her daughter the priceless Brussels veil and lace train on her wedding gown, and her ornament was a wreath of enamelled laurels from the bridegroom. The bridesmaids, Misses Felicity and Iris Tree, Misses Betty and Eileen Parsons, Lady Diana Manners and Miss Elizabeth Asquith, wore dainty lace frocks of the Empire period, with long sleeveless coats of amber chiffon, and white tulle "Sioux" caps also amber necklaces, the gift of the bridegroom, and they carried garden bouquets of pale roses with the stalks showing, tied with yellow ribbons. The page was little Anthony Asquith, who wore a picture suit of white satin with a yellow sash and yellow knee ribbons.
Sir Herbert Tree, who gave his daughter away in a graceful manner that ought to be noted and copied by other fathers about to make the same paternal gift of a daughter's hand to a suitor in church, sheltered himself behind the lectern during most of the service, and I noted with pleasure that the best man brought the ring in his pocket, so that there were none of those alarming hunts for it that sometimes reduce all the bridegroom's friends to a state of nervous collapse.
The Reception
After the ceremony, the reception was held at Sir.Herbert's town house in All Souls' place, the tall red house tucked away behind the church in Langham Place. The house opens into a series of studios, so it is well suited for a reception, and the rooms were a mass of lovely flowers. Lady Tree in a cream and gold marquisette dress, with a long sleeveless coat of black, tulle and a black hat with yellow plumes, helped to receive the guests and the wedding pair were plied with congratulations in the drawing room, before starting off for the honeymoon at Sir Herbert's country house in Sussex. The wedding cake was made after the design of the Cathedral at Milan, where Miss Tree has been studying for grand opera. The wedding presents literally beggar description. Surely never had any girl of artistic tastes so many presents specially designed for an artist's home. The most lovely old silver, china and glass was sent to her and many pieces of choice old furniture, while she had so many toilet boxes and bottles of precious stones like jade and quartz that her home will be a veritable treasure house. Lovely old lace, real silk sheets and pillow cases, old red ivory handled knives and forks and a canteen of silver were among the delightful selection. Indeed, everyone in the society of brilliant people in which Sir Herbert's people move seemed to have showered gifts upon her and upon Mr. Parsons.
It is understood that "Miss Tree" will not give up her operatic career at any rate for the present, and she hopes to spend part of each year in Italy and part in London.
Billie Burke
(The Daily Mail [London, UK] - 14th April, 1914)
ACTRESS'S WEDDING - MISS BILLIE BURKE'S RUSH TO THE THEATRE
From Our Own Correspondent.
New York. Monday.
Miss Billie Burke, the popular English actress who came to this country in 1907 under the management of Mr. Charles Frohman, was married on Saturday to Mr. Florenz Ziegfeld jun., the theatrical manager.
Mr. Ziegfeld, until his divorce several years ago, was the husband of Miss Anna Held. He is now Miss. Held's manager. Saturday's wedding was kept secret until today. The ceremony was performed at Hoboken, New Jersey, in the presence of Mrs. Burke and Dr. F. Ziegfeld, father of the bridegroom.
From the church Mrs. Ziegfeld rushed to the theatre, where she appeared as usual in a silk pyjama stage costume in a character in which she is winning increased popularity — "Gerry, a girl who is an hour ahead of time." Miss Burke, twenty-eight years old, is nineteen years the junior of her husband.
Miss Burke, the daughter of a United States music-hall artist, made her debut in variety at the London Pavilion. After a couple of pantomime engagements in the provinces she played a small part under Mr. George Edwardes's management in "The School Girl" at the Prince of Wales Theatre. During the next three year she played many musical comedy parts in London and on tour. Her appearance in comedy with Mr. Charles Hawtrey in 1907 attracted Mr. Charles Frohman's attention.
He took her to the United States and she became a "star" actress there. She returned to London for a season in "Love Watches," at the Haymarket "Theatre, but though an enormous success in New York the piece ran for eleven performances only in London.
Clara Butt
(The Daily Mail [London, UK] - 27th June, 1900)
CLARA BUTT'S WEDDING - TERRIFIC CRUSH AT BRISTOL CATHEDRAL - POPULAR OVATION TO THE BRIDE
Miss Clara Butt and Mr. Kennerley Rumford were married yesterday in Bristol Cathedral.
A wedding does not usually upset the equilibrium of a large town, but Bristol was unusually excited all day yesterday. Both contracting parties are well known in the musical world, and Miss Butt has lived in Bristol from her childhood. She was offered St. Paul's Cathedral for the wedding, but the Dean of Bristol came forward, placing Bristol Cathedral at her disposal, and she favoured the city of her adoption.
Five hours before the ceremony commenced people took up positions outside the building with camp stools and refreshments. Gradually College Green became impassable, with such a crowd as has seldom if ever been seen there before.
After ticket-holders to the number of 500 had been admitted the doors were thrown open to the public, and a scene of confusion followed. Women and children were mercilessly elbowed about in a surging, swaying crowd. Many screamed aloud, and dozens gained the interior of the Cathedral minus hats and bonnets and with clothes torn. It was a sight that can hardly be imagined, and it took many minutes before order could be restored. This was only done by closing the doors, but not until the building was full to the doors.
These were closed on thousands, who clamoured loudly, but in vain, for admission, and finally contented themselves by remaining in the Green waiting for the bridal party to come out; and when she came out with her husband she received, a popular ovation.
THE BRIDE
Entering the western door, the bride on the arm of her father passed up the central aisle. She was attired in a gown of ivory meteor crepe de Chine, with a deep fringe at the bottom of the skirt, over an accordion pleated frill of crepe de Chine. The bodice was artistically draped from a transparent yoke of real Brussels point. The cuffs, turning back from the elbow over mittens of Brussels point, gave a pretty finish to the charmingly simple though rich costume, which admirably suited the bride's figure.
The tulle veil was fastened with a spray of orange blossom and a flight of diamond swallows. Her bouquet, the gift of the bridegroom, was of white orchids and lilies. There were six bridesmaids, Miss Lily Hanbury, Miss Dorothy Bligh, daughter of the Hon. Ivo Bligh, Miss Marjorie Allix, and the Misses Pauline, Ethel, and Hazel Butt, sisters of the bride.
These were attired in Empire gowns of pink crepe de Chine with soft pink chiffon fichus, with picture hats trimmed with pink and red roses. They carried crooks of the same period tied with clusters of roses.
The two little pages, Master Bernard Green and Master Ivo Novello Davies, were dressed in white satin suits of the Florentine period.
The bridesmaids were presented by the bridegroom with a gold heart-shaped brooch enclosing a stave of music bearing the notes C B in whole pearls surmounted by a lover's knot, while to each of the little pages he presented a pearl pin.
The officiating clergy were the Dean, Canon Griffiths, vicar of St. Paul's, Bedminster, and the Rev. Sidney Fischel, vicar of Hornden, Essex.
A reception and ball were given at the Royal Hotel after the ceremony, and later in the afternoon the bride and bridegroom left for Dover en route to Norway.
THE PRESENTS
The presents, which number over 300, include gifts from the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland, silver candlesticks from the Bishop of Ripon and Mrs. Boyd Carpenter, a jewelled muff chain from Mme. Albani, a card case from Mme. Melba, silver fruit baskets from Lady Tullibardine, silver cigarette ease from Countess Valda Gleichen, gold-mounted walking-stick from Lady Maud Warrender, gold bonbonieres from Sir Howard end Lady Vincent, silver candlestick from Signor and Mme. Tosti, a diamond brooch from the citizens of Bristol, as well as numerous gifts from members of the musical profession.
Other donors were the Duke and Duchess of Somerset, Sir Squire and Lady Bancroft, Lady Morgan, Mr. Alfred de Rothschild and Mr. and Mrs. Edward Lloyd.
A special train left Paddington for Bristol with wedding guests at 10.25 o'clock in the morning. Among them were: — Mr. Pedro Tillett, Mr. Edward Lloyd, Mr. Neil Arnott, Mr. Vert, Mr. and Mrs, Nachez, Mr. Archibald Ramsden, Miss Brooke Alden, Miss Delriego, Mr. Ettling, Mr., Mrs., and Miss Blower, Miss Thomson, Miss Frederica Conway and Miss Nora Conway, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Black, Mr. and Mrs. Sears, Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright Steavenson, Mr. Le Rich, Mr. and Miss Birnbaum, Mrs. and Miss Clayton Ling, Mr. George Murray, Miss Florence Shee, Mr. and Mrs. Schloesser, Mr. and Mrs. W. Ganz, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Davies, Mr. and Mrs. Bushby, Miss Gall, Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Ramsden, Miss Mason, Miss Eugene Joachim, Mr. G. C. Boosey, Mr. and Mrs. Gillman, Mr. M. Mason, Miss E. Florence, Miss Janotha, Mr. Macbeth and Mrs Rae; Mr. Cenrad Berapath, M.r. and Mrs. Clive, Miss Maggie Purvis, and Miss Elaine Purvis.
Eva Carrington
(The Daily Mail [London, UK] - 17th February, 1906)
PEER MARRIES AN ACTRESS
THE CATCH OF THE SEASON
LORD DE CLIFFORD'S BRIDE
Not for a very long time has there been a more romantic marriage in England than that which took place half an hour after noon yesterday at the St. Pancras Registry Office. The bridegroom was Lord de Clifford (now in his twenty-second year), of Dalgan Park," Shrole, Tuam, and the bride Miss Eva Carrington, until Tuesday last a small-part actress in "Bluebell," at the Aldwych Theatre.
It was last September, at Dublin, when Mr. Seymour Hicks and Miss Ellaline Terriss, on tour with "The Catch of the Season," were playing a week at the Gaiety Theatre in that city, that Lord de Clifford and Miss Carrington first met. If there was an engagement it was kept an absolute secret, and until Tuesday last no one but the two young people knew anything about it. The wedding was the quietest affair ever arranged, and the only other person present when the registrar declared Lord de Clifford and Miss Eva Carrington man and wife was the mother of the girl.
At the Aldwych Theatre Miss Carrington was very popular, and she has been in practically the same management ever since she, when a girl of fourteen, went on the stage six years ago at the Vaudeville Theatre in "Alice in Wonderland." There she remained, appearing in everything produced at that theatre by Messrs. Gatti and Frohman, until the company went out on long autumn tour last August. On returning to London she took her place in the rehearsals of "Bluebell" as a Gibson girl for the new Aldwych Theatre, singing there and speaking a line or two at every performence since Christmas until Tuesday last.
HONEYMOON IN ABYSSINIA
"She was one of the most delightful girls we ever had," said Mr. Seymour Hicks, "and we shall miss her, for I had cast her for a nice part in the forthcoming production of 'The Beauty of Bath.' At the Vaudeville Theatre, when we were there with 'The Catch of the Season,' I used sometimes to call her 'Little Black Sambo.' It amused her and it amused the audience."
Mr. Hicks saw Miss Carrington, or rather Lady de Clifford, yesterday evening at Mme. Herbert's, the costumiere's, in Orchard Street, Oxford Street, where she got part of her trousseau. She knew Mme. Herbert because there the costumes for "The Beauty of Bath" are being made, and a business call that Mr. Hicks made gave him the opportunity to wish the young people every happiness.
That they are a handsome couple all who have seen them acknowledge, for the bridegroom is tall and soldierly in appearance, while the bride, who is particularly good-looking and a brunette, is 6ft. 1in. in height. If there was no tacit engagement between the young people, it makes the marriage all the more romantic, for Lord de Clifford has been away from England for some little time, and only arrived back in London from Cairo on Monday.
Last night Lord and Lady de Clifford left London, it is understood, for Paris, and will proceed to Abyssinia, from where they will return in about six months, their present intention being to then settle down in Ireland. Lady de Clifford does not come from an actor's family; in fact, she never had a relative on the stage until recently her sister, miss Grace Carrington, who is her junior by three or four years, entered the Vaudeville Theatre, and went at Christmas, like her sister, to the Aldwych Theatre for "Bluebell," in which she nightly appears.
THE DE CLIFFORD HISTORY
Lord de Clifford is the young holder of one of the oldest peerages of the kingdom. Its adventures began early and violently. A Lord de Clifford was executed in 1322; another forfeited his peerage and was killed in 1461, and his son and heir was hidden by his mother and brought up in disguise as a shepherd.
The present Lord de Clifford, who came of age last July, succeeded his father as twenty-fifth baron when he was only nine years old. He has long been the youngest M.F.H. in the United Kingdom, having a pack of hounds in County Galway. Through a Baroness de Clifford (the title descends in the female line) Lord de Clifford is related to the Duke of Bedford, the Baroness having married Lord William Russell, whose murder by his foreign valet in 1840 created a great sensation. The valet was convicted and executed.
Rosie Boote
(The Westminster Budget [London, UK] - 19th April, 1901)
MARRIAGE OF THE MARQUIS OF HEADFORT
It is announced that the Marquis of Headfort and Miss Rosie Boote, the well - known Gaiety actress, were married at Saltwood, near Folkestone. For three weeks they had been staying at the Hotel Metropole, Miss Boote being attended by a chaperone. The closest secrecy had been observed. The register at the office of the superintendent registrar shows the names of Geoffrey Thomas Taylour, fourth Marquis of Headfort, peer of the realm, bachelor, twenty-two years, and Rosie Boote, spinster, twenty-three years.
The wedding took place at half-past eight last Thursday week, at Saltwood Registry Office, before Mr. John Andrew, registrar, and Mr. R. Lonergan, Superintendent Registrar of the Elham district. The witnesses were F. Valder, a villager of Saltwood, and Miss Daisy Roche, of Daly's Theatre. The place of residence in both cases is given as the Hotel Metropole, Folkestone. The bridegroom describes himself as Fourth Marquis of Headfort, peer of the realm, son of Thomas Taylour, third Marquis of Headfort (deceased), and the bride in the column for "rank or profession" leaves the space blank. Her father's name is put down as Charles Boote (deceased, of no occupation).