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MARRIAGE REJOICINGS AT SLEIGHTS.

The village of Sleights was on Wednesday last the scene of great rejoicings, on the occasion of the marriage of Miss Alice Jane Donkin, daughter of Edward Donkin, Esq., of Sleights Old Hall, to Wilfred Longley Dodgson, Esq., agent to Lord Boyne, Burwarton, Shropshire, and son of the late Venerable Archdeacon Dodgson, Canon of Ripon.

The weather was brilliantly fine, and early in the morning many villagers were astir hoisting flags and preparing other indications of rejoicing.

The wedding took place at the church, at 11 o'clock, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. T. Walker, the vicar, assisted by the Rev. C. L. Dodgson, of Christ's Church, Oxford, brother of the bridegroom.

The party left the hall in the following order: first, the gentlemen, including the bridegroom, proceeded through the field of the church; next, the five bridesmaids who proceeded by the road; the bride and her father following in a carriage.

On the party entering the church, the organ and choir gave a selection, the bridesmaids and gentlemen formed a line on each side of the aisle, through which the bride and her father having passed, they again joined and walked to the altar. On the conclusion of the ceremony, the organ and choir again gave their services.

The bride wore a dress of white silk trimmed with white satin rouleaux, a wreath of orange blossom, and a white lace veil. The bridesmaids, Miss Margaret Dodgson, Miss Mary Eleanor Donkin, Miss Alice Emily Donkin, Miss Henrietta Dodgson, and Miss Wilcox, were uniformly dressed in white book muslin looped with blue ribbon, and white tulle bonnets trimmed with forget-me-nots. Mr. Edwin Dodgson, brother of the bridegroom acted as best man.

The decorations in the village were more extensive than any in the recollection of the oldest inhabitants, many of them displaying good taste and judgement on the part of those who had undertaken the task, the principal of whom was Chas. Bartholomew, Esq. Flags were suspended across the high-road from trees which form an avenue and give the village of Sleights a more pleasant and picturesque appearance than any village round about. The British Ensign and the Union Jack were the most prominent, streamers of many colours being tastefully interspersed.

Over the gateway at the entrance of the Old Hall, the residence of E. Donkin, Esq., father of the bride, was a tastefully and cleverly executed design, bearing the words “Love,” “Joy,” with “W. L.” and “A. J.,” the initial letters of the bridal pair between. In the centre a hand grasped the letter “D.” repeated. At each side of the gateway was a pretty streamer. Underneath the above motto and between the streamers was the word “Happiness,” the whole being very nicely cut out and interwoven had a pretty appearance.

Approaching the Church gates was a beautiful triumphal arch, composed of evergeens [evergreens] and flower, surmounted with a large monogram “D” on a red ground. The arch bore on the front the words, “Health, Wealth Long Life,” and on the reverse, “Joy, Love, and Happiness.” This was a chaste construction and had cost Mr. Bartholomew and his helpers some labour and thought. Over the gateway was a flag bearing another monogram, and round the top of each pillar was entwined respectively a profusion of white and red roses.

The church was most elaborately and exquisitely decorated with beautiful mosses, heather, and flowers of various kinds, and the golden heads of corn and barley intermixed, gave it an appearance such as is seldom witnessed in a village church. The labours of Miss Crigan, the Misses Bartholomew, and Miss Jennings, were here shown to great advantage. Across the aisle at the chancel end was an arch of evergreens and choice garden flowers; the caps of the pillars supporting the gallery were covered, and the pillars entwined with flowers of different kinds. The gallery was festooned with evergreens, bouquets of flowers, and everlasting; and on the front was the motto, “Love is of God.” The windows were like as many beds of choice flowers among rich heather and moss, giving out the most delicious perfume. The altar was a perfect arbour of rare flowers, the rails being interwoven with ivy, and the window most chastely and elaborately hung.

In the afternoon a variety of races and sports for ribbons, &c., came off on the lawn in front of the hall, and tea was provided in the Schoolroom, which was tastefully decorated, when about 40 partook of an excellent tea, after which a selection of glees, part songs, &c., were given by the choir and by the instrumentalists, Messrs. W. F., A. E., and E. H. Donkin.

The bridal pair left by the noon train for Chester, and the day was generally observed as one of great festivity in the village.