No detail spared in high society wedding of a bygone century

Guests throng outside Christ Church on Friday, December 16, 1921, for the wedding of well-known local Miss Evelyn Beatrice Josceline Percy to Lieut. Colonel Eric Wilkins Gutteridge.

The wedding dress descriptions of bygone times are incredible and the Geraldton Guardian did not disappoint: “The bride’s gown was of ivory charmeuse satin, the skirt beautifully draped, and the bodice of Point de Venise lace, mounted on ivory georgette. The girdle was of laurel leaves of ivory georgette, finished with silver. The beautiful train was of ivory brocade, with finishings of open-work and bands of plain satin, making the contrast effective. In one corner of the train was a beautiful spray of georgette leaves and tiny horseshoes.”

The description went on to advise readers that the bride had gone against the popular choice of the day, an orange blossom wreath, choosing silver thread instead.

Most of the article was about the fashion and went on to describe the bride’s going-away outfit.

Many prominent local families attended. From these connections it can be assumed that the Percy family of Tibradden were of quite high society. The attendance of the Archbishop of Perth as the officiator of proceedings also suggests that the wedding was of high societal importance.