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| The White House was at one time called the President's Palace, but this gave offense and was dropped. |
One of the most notable wedding celebrated at the White House was that of Nellie Grant, who was married May 21, 1874, to a young Englishman, Algernon Charles Frederic Sartoris. She had met him on a steamer coming back from England, and it was understood that President Grant did not approve of the match at first, partly because his daughter was only nineteen years old. The ceremony was performed at 11 A. M. in the East Room.
A breakfast was served in the State dining-room. Fewer than two hundred guests were invited, the list comprising chiefly members of the family, distinguished civil officials, officers of high rank in the Army and Navy, and a dozen or so of the diplomats. The value of the wedding gifts was estimated at sixty thousand dollars.
The only White House wedding in which the Chief Executive has taken the bridegroom's part was celebrated June 2, 1886, when President Grover Cleveland married Frances Folsom, the daughter of his former law partner. Only a few relatives and notable personages were asked. There was a singular absence of pomp and display, though a presidential salute was fired at the Washington Arsenal. The State apartments were adorned with flowers and tropical plants. The marriage ceremony was performed in the Blue Room.
The first wedding at the White House was that of Miss Maria Monroe, the President's daughter, in 1820. She married Samuel L. Gouverneur. During the Hayes regime Miss Lucy Platt, a niece of Mrs. Hayes, was married at the Executive Mansion to General Russell Hastings, a veteran of the Civil War. General Hastings was a intimate friend of President McKinley, and during his administration was a favorite guest at the White House.
The wedding of Patricia Nixon, June 12, 1971.
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