Shots Photography

Wedding Extravaganza

The extravagance of weddings is a popular topic. We blame it on modern commercialism. But then, what excuse could President Ulysses S Grant have for the money he spent on his daughter's wedding?

For the occasion the East Room which was chosen for the wedding ceremony, was resplendent and aromatic with flowers and greenery. From the ceiling, suspended on floral ropes, dominated a giant wedding bell composed completely of flowers. Never before, in the history of White House entertainment, were the decorations so lavish, and the atmosphere so laden with perfume.

200 guests sat in the State Dining Room at the White House, their hunger assuaged by a seven-course wedding breakfast. The savoury part of the fare included chicken, woodcock, snipe and crab. For the dessert there was the ever popular strawberry and cream and cake. Punch was laid on, of course, possibly based on Mrs Grant's favourite recipe.

When food was eaten, wine was drunk, and good wishes were exhausted, Nellie and Algernon slipped into a Pullman carriage groaning under the decorative weight of flowers and flags.

Nellie, of course, stole the show. She was attended by eight bridesmaids dressed in white, four carrying pink bouquets, the other four blue. Algernon, showing himself a sensitive guy at a time when men were men and women had babies, chose also to carry a bouquet. His was pink and white.

The wedding dress chosen by Nellie was of white satin, fashionably bustled in the back, and trimmed with lace, orange blossoms and miniature oranges. Yes, I did say miniature oranges. What I'm not sure about is whether they came from grafted miniature orange trees, or bonsai trees.

Suffice it to say, that the dress alone cost $5,000. And that was in the year 1874. President Ulysses S Grant had decided, like so many other people, that spending money on a wedding was as a good an excuse as any. Especially if you have the money.

Vlady, an Australian Civil Marriage Celebrant, is an author of "The Complete Book of Australian Weddings", "The Small Organsiation Handbook" and an ebook "Honeymoon! A Sizzle or a Fizzle?" which you can see on her website http://www.vlady-celebrant.com

MORE ARTICLES:

Unique Wedding Invitations
Today's tech savvy couples are plugging in and creating unique wedding invitations on CD/DVD. These customized invitations use music and images, photo montage and video, to tell the couple's story and provide a personal invite to their wedding.

Wedding Insurance – Peace of Mind for Your Perfect Day?
With the average cost of a wedding around £17,000 you would think that more couples would take out wedding insurance just in case something happens to spoil the special day. However, an estimated 85% of couples planning to get married do not bother with insurance.

Digital Photography In The Fashion Industry
The growth of digital photography had made it feasible for everyone to capture the perfect moments of their lives better than ever. The big improvement in shutter speed and photo resolution, make it convenient and easy for both beginners and professional photographers to take good pictures. In addition, photo editing can now be done to produce more creative and artistic photos.

Your Wedding Invitation's in the (e)Mail: Pros and Cons of the Virtual Wedding Invitation
From purchasing the garter to choosing the photographer, brides (and grooms!) are online and as the Internet's many advantages have begun to permeate most every aspect of wedding planning, a single question has been popping up more and more: can I use the Internet for my wedding invitations? As a wedding website designer I've answered numerous emails from brides asking if an email announcement to visit their wedding website can not just supplement their wedding invitation but actually replace it. It's an interesting idea, one with the potential to save a great deal of time and money.

Destination Weddings in Oregon
Oregon is one of the most marvelous places in the world. Blessed with a variety of climates, landscapes, cultural diversity, tourist attractions, beautiful cities and friendly people can make the wedding day fantasies of any couple come true.

Photography Success Without School
What I learned from a mentor that enabled me to go from an amateur photographer to a professional portrait photographer in very specific steps is something I like to pass on. Rather than spending countless hours in classes learning every possible detail, I learned just the necessary specifics and now I work out of my home full time and have been in business for over 17 years, but I started out with practically nothing; just an interest in photography and the need to earn more money.

Las Vegas Wedding Music - 12 Unique, Inexpensive Options
While rumors continue to fly that Las Vegas wedding music is expensive if live, the number one contracting company in Las Vegas continues to dispel those rumors daily.

Candid Photography
Candid photography is photography that focuses on spontaneity rather than technique. Your subject's focus is not on the camera, but on their current task.

Personalizing Groomsmen Gifts and Wedding Gifts Now Available on Line
As more and more soon-to-be brides and grooms use the web to streamline their wedding preparation, a new on-line retailer makes personalizing wedding gifts a breeze on-line at http://www.cigarian.com

Wedding Photography: Preserving the Memories
A person's wedding can be one of the most important times in their life. They will have memories that they want to treasure forever and then pass on to their children.

Let Your Wedding Flowers Speak the Language of Love
Congratulations! You have found the man of your dreams and are getting married. What a wonderful time in your life – full of promise, hope, and happiness.

The Perfect Bridal Makeup for Your Wedding Day
It's important that your makeup look its absolute best for your wedding day. Whether you plan to marry on a beach at noon or at night under the stars, by keep your makeup simple you will look and feel great.

Tips In Digital Photography That You Can Use
Perhaps one of the greatest invention in the 20st century is the digital camera. With its many outstanding features, novices in photography can produce great photos at less the effort. Not only does the digital camera provide convenience to photographers or those that are interested in the art but also savings to ordinary consumers.

Pinhole Photography: Right Back to Basics
Why Pinhole Photography's fun. It's creative.