The weekly clarion., 1875-04-07
WEDDING ET'IQUETTE.
Some Nice Points for the Ladies.

Demorest's Monthly thus solves some
of the conundrums which make pretty
heads ache:
The etiquette of a wedding differs
somewhat in cities from that observed in
the country, and it is with the former
that we are concerned. The invitations
are generally sent out about ten days be-
fore, and run as follows:
''Mr. and Mrs. r request the
pleasure of Mr.. and Mrs. B--'s
company at Trinity chapel, ON Wednes-
day, January II, at one o'clock"
To this, an answer should of course
be returned. On the wedding morning
the bridegroom sends the bride the we'd
ding bouquet; he also sends a bouquet
to each of the bridemaids. These young
ladies are bound to be at the church in
good time, and await the bride at the
church door. Her father also awaits
her there. Meanwhile the bridegroom
has, of course arrived, accompanied by
his "best man." and taken up his posi-
ton in the chancel. Occasionally III the
country there are ''groomsmen"-that is
to say, young man for each bride
maid-but this practice Is unheard OF III
good society. The church having filled
with the invited guests, the bride arrives
with her mother (for whom some gentle
men-either her son or some great
friend-should be waiting,) and at once
proceeds to the altar on her fathers arm,
and followed by her bridemaids, two in
two, care being taken to match them as
to height as nearly as may be. Arrived
in the chancel they should spread out in
a semi-circle behind the bride, the chief
bridemaid (who is either the brides elder
sister, if she have one, or the bride
groom's) taking charge of the gloves, hand
kerchiet and bouquet. At the conclu-
sion of the ceremony, the newly married
couple, with their parents and immedi-
ate relatives, adjourn to the vestry, sign
the register and receive the congratula-
tions of their nearest connections. This
done, they emerge into the church and
depart first, the bridemaids following to
the church door. The brides father es-
corts the bridegroom's mother, and his
father the mother of the bride. Very
frequently the guests do not 60 at once to
the house, but arrive there shortly before
the hour named for the breakfast, and
spend the interval before it is announced
in examining the wedding presents, which
are tastefully laid on tables in the draw
inc-room with the names of the donors
on a card beside each. When break
fast is announced the bride and bride
groom lead the way, followed by the
bridegroom's mother on the arm of the
brides father, and the brides mother on
that of the bridegroom's father. 1t IS
now most unusual to have sitting
down breakfast A long buffet is provi-
ded, as at ball supper; but it is be-
coming the custom to have few small,
round tables to accommodate eight per-
sons 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 long speeches is
happily past. The gentleman 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 placed in the cake,
cuts the first slice, and then retires to
change her dress. The company finish
their breakfast and return tothe drawing
room, and in short time the bride re-
appears to make her adieux. Very often
she divides the bridal bouquet among her
bridemaids. 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 at once
disperse. The custom of sending either
cake or cards is now quite out of fashion.
When a widow re-marries, the etiquette
differs somewhat. The invitations are
| issued in her name, but the breakfast il
given by some near relative or great
friend. The ceremony is usually some
what quiet one. There are no bridemaids
and no favors, and the brides dress Is
generally silver gray, never white, and
she wears a bonnet. A question often
asked is, ssHow does widow, married q
second time, arrange about her wedding
ring7 The most usual course Is to retain i
on the proper finger, placing the new ont
over it. Some place it on the little fin-
ger of the left hand, with a memoria
ring rs keeper; Others wear il itsuspsnd
| ed BY chain from the neck,