1887 Wedding
An amusing article from the Carmarthen Weekly Reporter, Friday 16 September 1887
A SINGULAR MARRIAGE. Every one was astir early last Tuesday morning in Talog, for there was to be a marriage which promised more merriment than serious rejoicing. Two garlands were put up in the village – one at J. Bowen’s house, the other at the Castle Inn. Everything of a bright colour, or of a comical shape, was put in the garlands. The bride was Rebecca Davies, of Pantycoch, widow, 52 years, with three children, and:the bridegroom was David James, Penbank, widower, aged 74, with seven children ; both of Abernant. By eight a.m. men in the village were firing off guns, and there was likewise shot firing, which continued till the bride came to Talog, when a volley was discharged in her honour. The blushing bride was visibly affected, especially when she found that the bridegroom had not come. The firing party by this time were thirsty, so the bride treated them to liquors, after which they renewed their firing with vigour. After the bride had been kept in suspense for half an-hour, the blooming bridegroom appeared, in the company of Mr Howells, Lan, and Mr Hughes, Ffynonwen, who brought their traps to carry the happy pair to Abernant Church. More liquor then went round, and the volleys followed quickly. The bridegroom was as active as a young boy, and the bride as modest and as timid as a maiden. When the party left Talog, there was a shower of old shoes and rice, a roar of laughter, and a final volley. People considered it a comical scene, for the bridegroom is old, and so they determined to make his marriage as public as possible. Long life to the happy pair, for though not possessed of youth, we trust he is full of wisdom, so that he can guide his wife aright. Love rules the world.– Com