Red, white and blue bows and floral decorations filled the room. A variety of ferns and tropical trees decorated the stage, and more than 100 guests filled the room at the Montclair Women’s Club, patiently waiting for the wedding of President Grover Cleveland to Frances Clara Folsom.

The reenactment, hosted by the Victorian Society of Northern New Jersey with the Grover Cleveland Birthplace Memorial Society, celebrated the 125th anniversary of the 22nd and 24th president to his young bride Frances, a woman 27 years his junior and the daughter of his former law partner.

Following a brief welcome and introduction by Dolly Rosen, president of the Victorian Society of Northern New Jersey, guests enjoyed a detailed presentation of the president, his wife, their young lives, and the wedding. Sharon Farrell, caretaker of the Grover Cleveland Birthplace in Caldwell, shared her knowledge with the crowd, providing details of the wedding, including the wording of the handwritten invitations, Rutherford B. Hayes china patterns, rose and carnation flower arrangements, and even the $20 per box cake favors given to guests.  

In 1886, only 50 guests were invited to the wedding, and Grover Cleveland himself handwrote the invitations that went out less than two weeks before the event. The wedding, originally planned for a church, was moved to Frances’ grandfather’s home when Grover Cleveland decided he could not be married in church, as he had not been attending regularly.

However, when Frances’ grandfather passed away just a short time before the wedding, the celebration moved to the White House, with the couple walking themselves from the stairway, through the central hall, and into the Blue Room, with the music of John Phillip Sousa in the background.

“What occurred on June 2, 1886 in the Blue Room of the White House? We thought it would be nice to show you through a reenactment in the actual Blue Room, but the Obamas wouldn’t oblige,” quipped Farrell.

Following Farrell’s fact and trivia-filled presentation, the bride and groom took their places at the back of the room. The bride wore a cream-colored silk gown with a long train and lace veil. And, just as Frances, or as she preferred Frank, did before her, the bride did not carry anything in her hands. Although not adorned with the orange blossoms that decorated the original gown all those years ago, the resemblance between the bride and her inspiration could not be missed. 

The bride, played by Claire Rosen, daughter of Victorian Society of Northern New Jersey president Dolly Rosen, walked down the aisle with president Grover Cleveland, played by David Cowell, president of the Grover Cleveland Birthplace Memorial Society. Dr. Richard Sommers, minister of the First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell, married the couple.

The ceremony itself was similar to those performed today, with the noticeable omission of the word “obey” in the vows. At the couple’s request, the words "honor, love, and keep" were substituted for "honor, love and obey".

Immediately following the wedding, guests enjoyed a reception, complete with wedding cake, finger sandwiches, and a host of delicacies, including foie gras with truffles donated by Society member Lilly Hodge. The Grover Cleveland Birthplace also treated guests to a display of Victorian items, many of which were available for purchase. Items for sale included parasols, lace fans, holiday ornaments, presidential placemats, and more.

Although the original President and Mrs. Cleveland left for a five-day honeymoon following the reception, Rosen and Cowell were eager to come back to the 21st century, shaking hands and enjoying some friendly conversation with guests. The wedding was truly a presidential success.

For more information on the Victorian Society of Northern New Jersey, visit the website. For more information on the Grover Cleveland Birthplace Memorial, go to clevelandbirthplace.org.

 Want more celebrity gossip of the past century?  Celebrity Divorce, 1909-style is here. "Mrs. Shellabarger is a daughter of the late Samuel Lord of Lord & Taylor, and both she and her mother, who also lives in Orange, are wealthy," as quoted from The New York Times, is only the beginning of the interesting tidbits.

About the images: They have been rendered in antique/sepia tones for historical effect.