Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-05-19

For quiet wedding at home there are,
first, the invitations, which involve, as y
rule, two card-plates and a note-sheet
printed ON the finest OF heavy white paper.
NJ onoGrams and special designs have been
nearly discarded, and the fashionable text
is plain, simple, legible script, beautifully
engraved. The cost depends upon the
number of letters, but, on the average, for
100 invitations, the cost viii be $40, with
an additional $5 for each additional 100,
unless the order exceeds 500, when q
moderate discount is given. For 800
guests the stationer sends In his bill for
from $40 to $50. The rage at present
seems TO be for floral decorations; and
although nature scatters her blossoms and
verdure with generous hand, and never
sends in bill, the florist Is by no means
so liberal. A plain unostentatious display
of smilax and flowers may be procured for
fifty dollars, and that is about the lowest
figure for which fashionable florist would
think of sending bis bill. Exotics, oriental
palms, and ferns are not included In such
decoration; nor are bridal bells, and
hearts, and canopies, beneath which the
happy pair receive the congratulations of
their friends. Single pieces of their de
scription-and very ungraceful ones at
that though woven of rare exotics-often
cost from $40 to $3.50 and where number
are required, the bull soon crawls up 10 a
good sized figure. Good taste and fertility
Of suggestion can, however, accomplish
wonderful results with 500, particularly
where elegance is preferred 10 dumb show
of magnificent profuslon.
Then comes the collation-say for $50
guests quietly in the dining-Toom.
1t Is moot point whether 1t pays to en-
ploy a caterer and commit the whole item
of collation., wines, and attendance to his
hands, or TO undertake the work ones self,
with the training of servants, and the
illimitable probabilities of broken porcelain
and nlislaid silver. Those who have had
most experience in wedding and dinner
parties aver, as a rule, that X costs less
n oneY and gives better satisfaction, indie
pendent of personal trouble and the yex-
alton arising from the blunders of hired
attendants, to take the former coarse. For
a simple collation. for $50 guests, about the
lowest figures given by caterers are - per
capita, and from that to $12, which was
regarded us embracing all the requirements
that could possibly be asked.
For wedding breakfast. served IN a
very quiet way, $1.50 per capita represents
the lowest limit of caterers prices; and
this is probably less than it would cost the
brides father to buy the materials and
make provision for their preparation and
service. 1t is not unusual this winter
however; on very quiet occasions. 20 be
content with a service of cake and wine
only. Wedding cake for one hundred per-
sons, done up in pretty boxes, stamped
with monegrams, is furnished at from $50
to $50, according to the style of the box;
for one of these dainty little trifes, with
painting by hand on the lid, all satin and
gliding, may be rendered as expensive as
casket of gold, or, in the extreme Of sim
phclty, furnished for next TO nothing.
Of course, after all, the main item of
expense is the bridal trousseau. The attire
for the ceremony, the white satin, brocaded
or not, with bridal veil, orange blossoms,
and toilet accessories, may-exclusive of
laces and jewels-be procured for $500.
In fact, one can readily spend from ST, 900
upwards in order TO give one daughter in
in harmony with the ritual OF
top society.