Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Victorian Yuletide: Celebrating 140 Years

This morning's blogging pays a respectful tribute to the very first wedding at the WF!  It was December 21st 1871, just shy of two months of the construction of the mansion.  The Woodruffs threw one of the largest celebrations that Memphis has ever seen.  Mollie, the middle...and favored, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Woodruff was married in the small parlor and the "Merry Christmas" reception that was hosted by the Woodruffs for the newlyweds  in the ballroom, just adjacent to the parlor.  Mollie and her new husband Egbert Wooldridge moved into the second floor suite after the marriage.  


Mollie was quite fond of the cabbage rose.  In her memory, our display has included pale pink roses of all kinds throughout the first floor, where the wedding actually took place.


The small parlor is set for a quaint wedding.  The table is dressed with a wedding cake and the happy couple wears antique clothing, perhaps something Mollie would have worn.  There is also a ring on her finger, that is actually from archives!  This ring belonged to the Fontaine family.  (While not completely  accurate, it does make for a pretty sight to behold.)


All the tables in the room are draped with beautiful ivory silk scarves and coverings.  They are both include tassel fringe and heavy embroidery.  Delicate, yet very strong.

1 comment:

  1. Auh.......absolutely lovely. Your writing takes me back to a time I love.

    ReplyDelete