The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1875-01-07
Etiquette Of City Weddings.

The etiquette Of a wedding differs
somewhat in cities from that observed in
the country and it il with the former
that We are Low concerned. The invita-
tions are generally sent out about ten
days before and run as follows:
III and Mrs F--request the pleas
ure Of Nj and Mrs. B--'s company at
Trinity Chapel on Wednesday. Jan II,
at one O'Clock -
To this an answer should of course he
returned On the wedding morning the
bridegroom sends the bride the wedding
bouquet: he also sends bouquet to
each Of the bridesmaids. These young
ladies are bound 10 be at the church in
good time and az ait the bride at the
do'r Her father also awaits her there
Meanwhile, he bridegroom has, Of
9d:-es arrived accompanied by his
r. raal sni taken up his position
q the chanccl Occasionally in the
country there are groomsmen"-that il
to say, young man for each bridesmaid
blu this practice is unheard of in good
society he church having filed with
the invited guests, the bride arrives with
her mother for whom some gentleman
either her son or some great friend
should be IN waitingl and at once pro-
ceeds % the altar on her fathers arm,
dHa IBtibNta Nv utf BRIDESMAIDS, TWO
and two, care being taken TO match
them AZ to height as near as NAV be.
Arrived in the chancel they should
spread out in a semi-circle behind the
bride, the chief bridesmaid (who is
either the brides elder sister, if she
have one, or the bridegroom's) tax
ing charge of the gloves, handkerchief
oP' The 0o seremony ehe the
couple, with their parents and imn,e-
diate relatives, adjourn to the vestry to
sign the register and receive the con
Eratulations of their nearest connections
This done, they emerge into the church
an ! depart first, the bridesmaids follow
ing to the church door The brides
father escorts the bridesgroom's mother,
and the father the mother of the bride
Very frequently the guests do not 90 at
once 10 the house, but arrive there short
~ before the hour named for the break
fast, and spend the interval until it is
announced In examining the wedding
presents, which are tastefuliy laid out
on tables IN the drawing room, with the
names OF the donors on a card beside
each. When breakfast is announced the
bride and bridegroom lead the way, fol
lowed BY the bridegroom's mother on the
arm Of the brides father, and the brides
mother on that of the brdegrooms
father. II is now most unusual 10 have
a sitting down breakfast A long buffet
is provided rs at ball supper but il is
becoming the custom to have few
small round tables to accommodate eight
persons. At one Of these the newly
married couple and their parents sit,
often joined by the couple of highest
rank present. The custom OF MANY or
&c
tleman OF highest position, or nearest
relation, proposes in as few words as
possible the health of the newly-married
couple the bridegroom as briefly
responds. The bride rises and, the knife
having been put in the cake, cuts the
Drst slice, and then retires 20 change her
dress. The company finish thcil break
fast and return To the drawing room, and
In short time the bride reappears to
make her adieus Very often she d.
yides the bridal bouquet among her
bridesmaids. On departure, the task of
throwing the white satin shoe belongs TO
the best man" As soon as the Young
people have departed the guests al once
disperse. The custom of sending either
cake or cards Is now quite out of fashion
When widow remarries the etiquette
differs somewhat The invitations are
issued in her name. but the breakfast is
given by some near relative or great
friend. The ceremony is usually some
what quiet one. There are no brides
maids and no favors, and the brides
dress is generally silver gray-uever
white-and she wears a bonnet A
question often asked is: How does a
widow, married "a second time, arrange
about her wedding ring?" Tastes diher
Some wear the former one on the little
finger Of the left hand, with a memorial
ring a a keeper; others wear it sus-
pended by chain from the neck, and
Others lay It carefully away among their
cherished treasures. But the most usual
course is 10 retain it on the proper finger,
placing the new one over it.-Demor6st's
HpuyJgty