Wedding of the 4th Marquis of Bute in 1905

A film record of the 4th Marquis of Bute, John Crichton-Stuart (1881-1947) to Augusta Mary Monica Bellingham - the daugher of Sir Alan Bellingham, 4th Baronet at Castle Bellingham, County Louth, Ireland. This remarkable film is believed to the the UK's earliest wedding film. It was made in the days before cinema when travelling showmen screened films at the fairground. The personal nature of the film may mean that the film was specially commissioned by the family to record the wedding - it was made for showing to family and friends, but not general public viewing. The wedding was the society event of the year with no expense spared. The groom chartered the steamer Princess Maud to take his guests, the Isle of Bute pipe band across to Castle Bellingham in Ireland for the wedding. Shots include the Bride greeting wedding guests, a large marquee in background. Men wear black suits and bowler hats and women wear white dresses. Kilsaran Parich Church before the ceremony with the wedding procession passing, including flower girls, Lady Bellingham and the Dowager Marchioness of Bute. Shots of Father Patrick Fagan and Father Frank Murtagh who took the wedding service. The groom John Crichton-Stuart with Lady Mowbray followed by the best man Sir Ninian Crichton-Stuart. Altar boys and the choir of St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral, Dublin pass wearing white smocks and holding bibles. We see the bride Augusta Mary Monica Bellingham with a veil and carrying large bouquet - on her father - Sir Alan Henry Bellingham's arm. There are four bridesmaids including the groom's sister Lady Margaret, Miss Ismay Preston, Lady Norah Noel. The Bute pipe band can be seen in background. Wedding guests after the ceremony and a view of hats and heads of crowds as they clear a path for the married couple and following guests including Lord Colum Crichton-Stuart at Annagassan - a fishing village. The bridal couple being taken out to steamer Princess Maud on a barge rowed by Bellingham retainers in white uniforms with Bellingham hunting horn symbols. She waves and he doffs his hat. The Marquis of Bute's own pipe band follows also in white barge.