THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Romantic wedding is held on Rathlin Island

The News Letter reported on this day in 1897 that there had been romance in the air of Rathlin Island.

The island’s Episcopal church had been the setting for the marriage of Captain Alan James Campbell of the 26th Regiment, MI, “in political employ at Gilgit”, and Miss Mary Grace Montgomery Grove, the daughter of Colonel A S Grove, DSO, JP.

It was noted that the bride’s father had moved his family to the island after his retirement from the 80th Regiment, KH and service in India where they had been living in Rathlin House which was “charmingly situated in a sheltered position” on the island.

The parish church was situated “only a few perches” from Rathlin House and the wedding party was witnessed by crowds of islanders.

Meanwhile, the church itself had undergone much decoration in advance of the wedding with “plants and flowers being effectively employed”.

The wedding service was conducted by the Rev Charles H Felty, MA, the domestic chaplain of the Bishop of Madras, who was assisted by the rector of the island, the Rev W J Browne, BA.

Of Miss Grove, the soon to be Mrs Campbell, the News Letter how she had looked charming in a dress of white satin, a swathed bodice, with a chemisette and sleeves of puffed chiffon, while her dress had a Court train of satin brocade.

She wore a veil and sprays of orange blossoms and an amethyst necklet which had been a gift from the bridegroom.

While in her hand she carried an “exquisite shower bouquet” which was made of lilies, roses, stephanotis and maiden fern”.