June weddings have been popular for centuries. In the northern hemisphere June is summertime and winter snows have melted making it easier, especially in earlier times, to travel & hold celebrations. In the 19th and early 20th centuries when many British migrants settled in Australia, June was still a popular month for weddings perhaps because the heat of the Australian summer dissipated resulting in more comfortable conditions in which to celebrate and wear elegant wedding finery.
Nuptials celebrated in Ipswich in 1907 included that of James Cecil Richards and Clara Jane Markcrow. They were married on 15 June and went to live in Smith Street, North Ipswich. At this time, James was practising carpentry. As was the norm at that time, Clara performed “home duties”. Later they would move with their children to Liverpool and Wyndham Streets, before settling at James Street, East Ipswich for many years.
James Cecil and Clara Jane Richards (nee Markcrow) wedding, Ipswich, 1907 – Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich
On the 5th of June 1907 Sarah Amelia Walker of North Ipswich married Charles John Leigh at St Thomas’ Church in North Ipswich. This appears to have been a grand affair with lots of guests and many gifts. It was described as a “buttercup wedding” in the newspaper due to its particular decorative theme. Shades of yellow, white and cream were repeated in dresses, flowers and ribbons. Hand-painted buttercups and buttercup blooms featured in bouquets and other decorations.
At this time, many weddings in the Ipswich area were held on Wednesday and those featured in the Queensland Times would list gifts (and sometimes their value) received by the bride and groom and the giver’s name. Gifts to bridal attendants would also be reported. Silver cruets were popular wedding gifts, as were items like moustache cups and butter dishes. The menu at the reception or “wedding breakfast” was also newsworthy, as was the identity of the bride’s dressmaker and milliner. Brides and their bridesmaids at this time may have worn gowns sewn by Mrs J. Kinane of Bundamba, Miss Macartney of North Ipswich or Madame Connors of Cribb & Foote. Millinery could be found at T.C.Beirne’s. Mr F. Whitehouse was a well-known baker, confectioner & caterer of the town and owner of Whitehouse’s Café. Sometimes the café in Nicholas Street would be used as a venue for a wedding reception. Sometimes the reception would be held at home in the dining room or in a marquee in the backyard. At other times a bush house would be specially constructed for the day or guests would adjourn to the Oddfellows Hall to enjoy the party. Sarah and Charles Leigh enjoyed their wedding celebrations in St Thomas’ Hall, North Ipswich where the bride was active in the church. Her parents lived at nearby Workshops Estate.
Following the ceremony it was quite common to be photographed in your wedding finery at Whiteheads studio.
After the wedding breakfast it was also common to depart for the honeymoon by horse & carriage, dragging old boots behind. For those newlyweds leaving by train it was customary to be accompanied to the railway station by guests showering rice & confetti. Sarah & Charles entrained for Sandgate with their well-wishers packing the Ipswich Railway Station platform to see them off on their honeymoon trip and journey to a new life.
With the newlyweds gone on holiday, it was time for remaining guests to play games and dance.
Following their marriage, Sarah and Charles went to live in Woodend Road. Later they would re-move to Glebe Road where they would run a mixed business or cash-and-carry store.
Formal wedding portrait of Isabella Grace Brown and Arthur Ewald Mael Jaenke, Ipswich, 21 June 1911 – Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich