A special dress for a special day

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Week 23 | Wedding

Harold Thomas Jory and Ellen Priscilla
Westendorf, wedding portrait, 1913

The wedding of my great-grandparents Harry and Ellen Jory was reported thus by The Horsham Times (Victoria, Australia) on 22 April 1913:

A quiet but pretty wedding was celebrated at Miram when Mr Harry Jory, manager of the Lawloit Times was united in holy wedlock to Miss Ellen Westendorf, daughter of Mr and Mrs Westendorf of Miram. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Allen of Kaniva in the presence of the young couple’s most intimate friends and relations. After the wedding breakfast had been partaken of and the young couple had received the congratulations of their friends, they took their departure by the evening train to their home at Kaniva.

Many years later, Ellen’s youngest sister Else told me the story of Ellen’s bridal dress.  Apparently, Ellen had told her parents that she would be married in a dress from her current wardrobe.  However, her father Jack didn’t think this was good enough and went to town and purchased the oyster satin gown shown in the bridal photograph as a surprise.  “She was always the favourite”, added Else.

Harry and Ellen enjoyed 43 years of marriage, before Harry died in 1956 at age 70 years.  They had two daughters and three grandchildren.