70 Years Ago...

 

            Miss Marilyn Kay Kesot, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Delmar Kesot, became the bride of David Eugene Freelan during a ceremony solemnized Friday at the South Marion Friends Church. The bridegroom is the son of Mrs. Adry Freelan, Modoc, and Eugene Freelan, Miami, Florida.

            The Rev. William A. Wagner, pastor of the Bethel Friends Church and a cousin of the bride, performed the single-ring rites at 8 p.m. before the altar, which was decorated with palms, two seven-branch candelabra and standards of white gladioli. Family pews were marked with white satin bows.

            Preceding the ceremony, Miss Janet Todd, organist, and Joseph Russell, violinist, presented several bridal selections. Miss Todd played “Ah Sweet Mystery of Life,” “O Promise Me,” “At Dawning,” “Because,” “Indian Love Call,” and Mr. Russell played “Traumerei,” “The Lord’s Prayer,” and “I Love You Truly” were sung by Harold Jackson.

            Given in marriage by her father, the bride was gowned in white Chantilly lace over taffeta. A sweetheart neckline accented the gown’s fitted bodice, which was trimmed with sequined medallions of the lace, and long lace sleeves ended in bridal points at the wrists. Her fingertip veil of imported illusion was held in place by a cap of lace and accordion pleated satin, studded with pearls and rhinestones. She carried a white Bible and a white orchid tied with white satin streamers in lover’s knots.

            A gown of raspberry red nylon net over satin and a matching stole and headband were worn by the maid of honor, Miss Jane Ann Wickham, Marion. Her flowers were a colonial arrangement of pink roses, blue carnations and daisy pompons.

            Bridesmaids were Mrs. Philip Haisley and Mrs. Rex Cassady, both of Marion. Their gowns were fashioned of orchid and yellow nylon net and satin, and they carried colonial bouquets of yellow roses, orchid carnations and daisy pompons. Each wore a headband and stole matching her gown.

            The taperlighters, Miss Beverly Kesot, sister of the bride, and Miss Gariselda Pefley, were attired in blue and lavender gowns of lace and net with matching lace boleros. Pink sweetheart roses formed their wrist corsages.

            Serving as best man was Russell Goff, Marion. Ushers included Larry Bricker and Robert Bradford, cousins of the bride, and Charles Heavilin, all of Marion and Kenneth Dickensheets, Sweetser.

            For her daughter’s wedding, Mrs. Kesot selected a dress of navy blue sheer, blue and white accessories, and a corsage of pink carnations. An aqua silk broadcloth costume with white accessories and a corsage of white roses was chosen by the mother of the bridegroom.

            Reception in honor of the couple was held in the Christian Education building of the church. A three-tiered wedding cake decorated in yellow and white and topped with the traditional bride and bridegroom centered the bridal table.

            Assisting with the serving were Mrs. Russell Goff, Miss Beverly Rice, Miss Rosemary Houk, Miss Carolyn Cain, Miss Phyllis Meredith, Miss Shirley Smith, and Miss Maralyn Higgins, all of Marion. Terry Bricker, cousin of the bride, served as usher, and Mrs. Norman Carter, Marion, was the pianist.

            For a wedding trip through the Midwest, the bride changed to a beige gabardine dress trimmed with rhinestones. Her accessories were red, and she wore a white orchid corsage.

            Mrs. Freelan is a graduate of the Marion High School. The bridegroom as graduated from Frankfort Pilgrim College High School in Frankfort and from Marion College. A member of Phi Delta Kappa and Pi Gamma Mu fraternities, he has done graduate work at Ball State Teachers College, Muncie. He is employed as a teacher in the Greene Township High School in St. Joseph County.

            The couple will reside in South Bend.

** Thanks, newspaper of 1954, for providing the content of today’s 70^th anniversary celebration. Also – can we agree that wedding coverage isn’t what it used to be?

            Enjoy these unintentionally recreated photos from our wedding and the original versions from Mom and Dad's. And...all our wedding photos in a collage!

            Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad. I will do my best to describe today’s outfits in great detail in tomorrow’s post. 😊