Charlotte Blanche Heard

Woodville Examiner 05 November 1902
Wedding Bells – Heard – Benge
A very pleasing ceremony was performed on Wednesday 22nd ult., when Frederick Thomas only son of the late Mr Thomas Heard pf Balance was united in the bonds of matrimony to Charles Blanche (Lottie) of Laurel Villa Upper Hutt. The wedding took place at “Stonestead” the country residence of the bride‟s parents. The Rev George Bond of Newtown, an old and valued friend of the bridegroom‟s family preformed the ceremony in a Marquee erected in front of the house for this purpose. It was beautifully decorated with flowers and lycopodium. The bride was given away by her father Mr J Benge. Mr W Woodley acted as best man and Mr B Benge as groomsman.
The bride looked very handsome in a dress of blue and fawn shot voile velvet, Paris lace, and orange blossoms, a lovely embroidered veil and wreath of orange-blossoms. She carried a handsome shower bouquet of white Azaleas and clematis. There were six bridesmaids, Miss E Benge sister of the bride and Miss N Heard sister of the bridegroom both looked charming in cream lustre dresses trimmed with broche satin ribbons and lace. They also wore wreaths and veils and carried lovely shower bouquets of azaleas and snowdrops.
Miss Rachel Mabey nice of the bride and Miss G Jackson niece of the bridegroom look very pretty in pink spotted muslins trimmed with lace and ribbons. They also wore wreaths and veils and carried shower-bouquets of pale pink azaleas and clematis. Then came two sweet little tots with golden curls, Blanche Mabey and Wilma Benge nieces of the bridge, in dainty white frocks and wearing wreaths and veils and carrying crooks entwined with daises and ribbons. A prettier bridal is very rarely seen. The bride wore a gold brooch set with pearls and rubies the gift of the bridegroom. The bride‟s gift to the groom was a pair of handsome gold sleeve links. Each of the bridesmaids wore a very pretty gold brooch the gift of the bridegroom. The weather was perfect and the scene was a gay and festive one. Cake and wine were partaken of in the marquee, when the usual toasts were given and responded to, the Rev G Bond giving good and kindly advice to the young folks in a very happy speech.
After the toasts and congratulations were over all adjourned to the large dairy which had been transformed into fairy-land with ferns, flowers and abundance of lycopodium.
The table and other decorations were most artistic and were under the supervision of Mrs J C Mabey and Miss Ross of Taita. Over 50 guests sat down to a most sumptuous breakfast and after a most enjoyable time the happy couple left amidst showers of rice and flowers, to take train to Wellington where the honeymoon is to be spent. The bride‟s travelling dress was a handsome fawn cravenette [sic] cloth strapped with silk to match, tucked white figured silk vest picture hat of burnt straw with cream roses, lace and silk. The presents were too numerous to mention and many of them were very costly.
Mr and Mrs F Heard intend residing in Balance in which place Mr Heard may be called a
pioneer, his family being the first to reside in that township. We wish Mr and Mrs Heard every
good wish, health, prosperity and happiness.