This article was originally published in the December 2000 edition of Soul Search, the journal of The Sole Society.

Another of those pretty functions, for which Christ Church, West Didsbury, has become quite popular, was solemnised therein on Wednesday afternoon. The contracting couple were Miss Gertrude Annie Saull, daughter of Mr T Saull of Oakfield, West Didsbury, and Mr R E Kilburn of Northampton. The high esteem in which this bride's family is held in the district drew a large congregation to the ceremony.

The bride was attired in a rich dress of cream duchesse satin, trimmed with Honiton lace and orange blossom, and carried a very beautiful shower bouquet of white exotics. Her bridesmaids were Miss Maude Saull, Miss Any Saull, Miss Ada Saull (her sisters) and Miss Gerty Kilburn (sister of the brideqroom). The two elder wore dresses of blue and white striped glace silk trimmed with cerise ribbon and black velvet picture hats trimmed with black feathers, and cerise ribbons to match, and carried shower bouquets of white and pink chrysanthemums and roses. The two younger wore dresses of cream Surah silk and cream felt hats trimmed with cream feathers and cerise ribbons and carried shower bouquets of white roses relieved with water leaves. All the bouquets, together with the safety gold brooches with hearts of pearl worn by each bridesmaid, were the gifts of the bridegroom.

The bride was given away by her father, and Mr. Davis of Northampton, a personal friend of the bridegroom was his best man. The officiating clergyman was the Rector, the Rev. Walter Thompson, and the effect of the altogether attractive ceremony was heightened by the organ contributions of Mr. Varley. These included the "Bridal March" from Lohengrin and the "Wedding March" which has assuredly made the name of Mendelssohn familiar, the chords of the latter resounding through the church as the bride and bridegroom passed down the aisle after registration formalities. A recherche breakfast was laid at Oakfield, to which about 30 guests (including the heads of both families) sat down, and in the course of the afternoon the happy bride and bridegroom.

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