Chastine “Tatine” Hardy of Cincinnati met Warren Watters of New Orleans on a blind date, and she knew from the minute she met him that she was going to marry him! Her mother attended Newcomb and studied art under Ellsworth Woodward and loved New Orleans, but Tatine had never met anyone from New Orleans until that date. Tatine was supposed to be a bridesmaid in her good friend’s wedding, but she got the mumps and wasn’t allowed to be in the wedding. She was in tears, but soon another good friend who lived in Chicago called and said, “Keep your suitcase packed and come to Chicago to go on a blind date with me and another friend.” The blind date, Warren Watters, was a Deke at MIT and was the most handsome man she had ever met. They went out every night and visited each other every chance they got.
The Korean War was raging and Warren, an officer in the Navy, asked Tatine to marry him when he finished his tour of duty two years later, because he was afraid something might happen to him. Tatine explained that she wanted to get married now or she would just marry someone else; that was all it took!
On Saturday, January 27, 1951, they were married at 4:30 p.m. at The Church of the Advent with a reception for 450 friends and family at The Queen City Club. Her mother planned the wedding in six weeks and friends in Cincinnati had nonstop parties. There were 10 bridesmaids (Tatine wanted 12 but her mother insisted) and 10 groomsmen. Tatine’s dress was exquisite, but the handmade veil of Pointe applique lace was the show stopper! It was created for her great-grandmother and won first prize at the 1870 Paris Exposition. It had been worn by every bride in the Hardy family since the 1800s. The veil cascaded down from a coiffure wreath of miniature pink rosebuds. The color scheme of pink and coral was carried out in extraordinarily beautiful bouquets throughout the church and reception.
After the reception, Tatine changed into her going away outfit and Warren whisked her away to Nassau for their honeymoon. Warren and Tatine have been married for 66 years, have three beautiful daughters and are still madly in love with each other!
BOTTOM: Tatine is pictured here in her going away outfit with the de rigueur veiled hat
