Herbert was sick on and off thereafter. Twice
he was almost sent home, but was passed fit before sailing. Finally Wynne
received a telegram from him saying "coming home City of Vienna today
second March, Jackson". It was 1901. Wedding arrangements could at
last begin in earnest.
By November 1900 as it seemed likely that her fiancé might be on
his way home, the serious business of the trousseau had to be considered.
The Llewhellin family had moved to a cheaper rented house to try and save
money, as Blanche's financial affairs were still in a mess, but when Wynne
and her mother set off for London it doesn't sound as if they stinted
themselves too much:
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November 1st 1900
...went to nearly all of the theatres and bought up most of the shops.
The first part of the time we devoted to house furnishing, the second
to trousseau hunting...I have pretty nearly got it all, including a habit
and such a ripping long dark blue coat trimmed with astrakhan and lined
with fur.
My wedding and going away dresses are perfect dreams and fit so well.
The former is white satin trimmed with cream French lace baby chiffon
and orange blossoms, the latter pale grey blue silver and a touch of black...we
ended our visit with a most exciting event, the procession of the C.I.V.
I was so glad we were still up and so able to see the first of our troops
arrive home again. We were very lucky in getting most excellent seats...on
the balcony of the War Office. The troops looked so fit and well, so sunburnt
and brown that they were quite a contrast to the pallid volunteers who
were lining the streets...there has never been so big a crowd for any
other festival even at the Jubilee...it made one long for one's own more
than ever.
Finally, on April 2, 1901, Herbert returned on three months sick
leave, and the couple were married in Wimborne Minster on June 5. Catching
up the diary while on her honeymoon in Salzburg, she writes after the
event in June:
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About a fortnight before (the wedding),
Herbert had been down to stay with us and after he left we had the busiest
time I can remember for ages preparing everything and writing 1000 letters
a day and generally going mad over things that seemed endless. At last
the day drew near...the Minster looked very gay, quite full, and I looked
very poggy. Whatever I looked liked I felt jolly frightened! My seven
bridesmaids were quite charming to look upon dressed in white and pink
with large rose bouquets, the four older with black picture hats and the
three younger white with pink roses.