New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1880-10-06
The Customs and Regulations Of Wed.
dings.

The Customs and Regulations Of Wed.
dings.
TIE customs and ceremonies incl
dent to weddings vary widely, accord
ing to creed, nationality and country.
A few general regulations are found to
exist, however, in all civilized commu-
mites, in reference to this most inter.
esting subject. At the inception of
courtship no ,weQ-bred woman receives
mans attentions too eagerly, nor, if
he please her, will she carry reserve
to an extreme that may possibly dis
courage him. Her purpose should be to
preserve her sef-respeet absolutely, and
at the same time not repel his admira-
ton and friendship. Some men show
attention and assiduity up to q certain
point without becoming lovers. It is
equally possible for a lady to allow the
would-be suitor to perceive that he is
not disagreeable to her without actually
encouraging him. No man likes to be
refused, and no man of tact will hazard
refusal. The gentleman presents the
lady with a ring as soon as they are
engaged, and may at any time send her
floral tributes. 1t is the privilege of the
lady's mother to fix the wedding day.
The trousseau should be in accordance
with their means. It is neither wise
nor in good taste for ladies of limited
finances to provide themselves with
snowy outfits. The engagement is
soon made known to kinspeople and
intimate friends. Through them &C.
quaintances are informed, and the prop
or fluctuations are expressed in the
usual manner. After the marriage in
vitations are issued, the..bride to be does
notusually appear in public, nor, in strict
society, does she see the bridegroom
on the wedding-day until they meet at
the altar. Only relatives and the most
intimate friends are asked to be BRIDE
maids-the sisters of tho bride and the
bridegroom where it is possible. The
bridegroom chooses his best man and
! the ushers from his circle of relatives
and friends of his own age, and from
the relations of his fancee of suitable
| age. The dresses of the bridesmaids
are not given unless their circumstances
are such as to make it necessary. Any
lavish display of jewelry by bride
would be in wretched taste, and strict
etiquette prescribes that she shall wear
none at all at the altar.
Where the bride makes presents to
the bridemaids on the wedding day,
they generally consist of some article of
jewelry, not costly, that is given more
as memento of the occasion than for
intrinsic worth. The bridegroom some
times gives his grOOmsmen scarf pin
of some quaint device, also as mcmen-
to, and as a slight acknowledgment of
their services. Where no bridemaids
or ushers Officiate the order of cere-
monies Is rs follows: The members of
the brides family set off before the
bride. She follows with her mother.
The bridegroom awaits them, and gives
his arm to the mother. They walk up
the aisle to the altar, the mother falling
back to her position on the left. The
father or relative representing him, con-
ducts the bride to the bridegroom, who
stands at the altar steps with his face
turned toward her as she approaches,
and the father falls back to the left
The relatives follow, taking their places
standing, those of the bride to the left,
those of the groom to the right. On an
occasion of social Importance rehearsal
frequently preccdes the actual cere-
mony by a day or two. The bride then
removes the glove from her left hand,
and the groom removes the glove from
his right hand, after which the cere-
mony proceeds according to the par
ticular religious or official service
chosen. The father of the bride gives
her away by bowling when the question
is asked, which greatly simplities the
part formerly assigned to him of step.
ping forward and placing his daughter S
hand in the hand of the clergyman.
Perfect self-control should be exhibited
by all parties during the ceremony.
Nothing is more undignitied than exhi.
billions of feeling in public. People
who are unable to control their emo
lions Should stay at home The bride
leaves the altar, taking the bridegroom's
right arm. They pass down the aisle
without looking to the right or to the
left. 1t is considered very bad form to
recognize acquaintance by bows and
smiles while in the church. The bride
and bridegroom drive away in their own
carriage. The rest follow in their car
riages.
Where the circle of friends on both
sides is very extensive, it has of late
become customary to send invitations
to such as are not called to the we'd
ding breakfast to attend the ceremony
at church. This stands in place of is
suing cards. No one must think OF
calling on the newly-married pair who
has not received either an invitation to
the ceremony at church or cards after
their establishment in their new home.
The custom of giving bridal presents is,
in many cities of the United States, no
longer considered in good taste, nor is
the room for bridal presents any longer
thrown open for public inspection, like
shop or exhibition room. Neverthe-
less the bride acknowledges every gift
she receives by note written in her
own hand. At the morning wedding
only bridemaids, ushers and relatives
remain to witness the departure OF the
pair. If the latter commence life in q
home of their own, it is customary to
issue Eat home'' cards for few eve
nings at no distant date. Only such
persons are invited as the young people
choose to keep as friends, or perhaps
only those whom they can afford to re-
tain. 1t is an easy and sensible oppor-
tunity for carefully rearranging ones
social list, because there are limitations
to hospitality which are frequently
more necessary than agreeable. This
list of old friends and acquaintance
can not be too seriously considered and
sifted, and no moment is so favorable
as at the beginning of housekeeping.
This custom of arranging fresh list is
admitted as social necessity, and no.
body is offended in consequence of it,
San Francisco Chronicle.
Andrew Jackson and His Old Horse,