Wedding of Herbert Kwok and Ida Low

Frederick Street 1929

‘The first Christian Chinese wedding in Wellington for some years was solemnised in the Anglican Chinese Mission Church in Frederick street yesterday, when Herbert Kwok, of Wellington, was married to Miss Ida Low, of Blenheim.’

Ida was the daughter of Chong Lee and Lai Chee Low who had migrated from China and set up the Chong Lee and Co fruit and vegetable business in Market Street, Blenheim.

The bride, who was escorted by her brother, wore shell-pink stain and carried a bouquet of roses, heather and lily of the valley. Her bridesmaids were Mollie and Nettie Low and Ida Chong. Dick Kwok was best man and Chan Fang was groomsman.

The marriage service was partly in Cantonese and partly in English. After the ceremony, the wedding breakfast was held in the Chinese Masonic Hall.

Initially the couple lived in Tory Street. They later moved to Kilbirnie and had a family of three children. Ida is recorded on the Electoral Rolls throughout her married life, but Herbert did not appear until after he retired and so his profession is not known. Herbert died in 1994 and Ida in 1998 aged 89.

The Chinese Mission Hall was designed the Anglican church by the architect Frederick de Jersey Clere, and constructed in 1905. It is still standing, although vacant due to earthquake risk.

References:

Chinese Wedding. (1929, February 7). Evening Post, 15.

https://wellingtonchinesehistory.fandom.com/wiki/Molly_Ting_(nee_Low)

A Wellington Chinese bride. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19290221-49-03