Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-04-16
ABOUT WEDDINGS,
A Matter Of Universal Interest
THarpay,s Rszar-l

The modern New York wedding is modelled
on The English style OF doing things. ana is as
near to st Georges. Hanover Square" as the
different laws and customs OF our country will
allow. The old American fashion OF the bride
maids with attendant cavaliers entering the
room or church arm In arm Is entirely broken
up. and the gentlemen u5heTS who seat the
company and who manage the business OF the
wedding In the church, are compelled 20 enter
first, without the solace OF q feminine hand on
better.
A bride-eiect begins, sometimes three months
before her wedding day. TO invite her BRIDE
maids for there are dresses TO be made ana
gldIs setes eve Inc groom chooses his best
ally six. These gentlemen receive FROM him
cravats and scarf pins and the groom FREE
Quently gives each bridemaid locket. The
bride often gives each Of her trademarks. OF
whom there are also generally six. some small
token OF her regard; but not, as formerly. her
dress. BouqueS are always provided by the
bride for her brtdeGaidS
The church must be engaged for q fortnight
ahead to avoid the gloomy catastrophe OF
meeting funeral coming out, which has hap
pened, ana which Is, OF course, depressing. TIE
clergy man and organiSt both need time 10 get
themselves IN order; AID the florist, who Is TO
decorate the altar with fresh cut Mowers and
growing plants, also needs time: he also should
have plenty OF warning.
When the happy day arrives, the head usher
goes to the church an hour before the time, to
see that white cord Is stretched across the
aisle, reserving pews enough for the family aud
particular friends, and to see In fact that all
details are attended 70.
The uSherS should be In attendance early 10
seat people In convenient places, and good
manners and careful attentions par iculariyto
elderly people, make lifelong friends for these
ofliciate. When the brides mother arrives the
white cord is dropped, and she is taken 10 the
front seat; all the family friends take their
places near her In adjoining pews.
Then the clergy come in and take their places
at the altar, followed by the groom aud bis best
man, who have been safely guarded In the yes
watch for his coming bride The organ strikes
up the wedding march as the first couple OF
usness are seen @ nee cnnTen door They
bridemaidS who bear bouquets or one COLOR
Then the bride enters, leaning on her fathers
arm very pretty ana becoming s fashion Is
throwing it back at the altar; but this Is mat
ter OF taste.
The ushers part company. going to the right
and left. and remain standing On The lower step
Of the altar. The bridesmaids also move TO the
right and left, next the altar rail-, leaving a
space fer the couple who are TO be married. The
bride is taken by the hand by the groom, who
receives her from her father as she mounts the
first step.
The service then proceeds, the organ playing
ye so a5d un tne Reay s M9e Wo s ban
the blessing Is given. the clergyman congratu-
lates the bride, and the young people turn TO
and usherS In reverse ordey.
Maids are In waiting in the vestibule to cloak
the bride and her ATTENDANTS as they come out
from this pageant into the cold and dangerous
air. This is great exposure, and often leadt
to trouble; our churches all need larger yesti-
bules. The bride and groom return TO The house
OF the former. followed as quickly as possible
by the bridemaids, and stand to receive their
friends under a toral bell, or floral arch, or
some other pretty device The bridemaidS are
ranged on either side, and the ushers [whose
place is no slpecure) bring up the guests in Or
mother, yacating the place OF hostess for the
nonce. stands at the other end OF The room TO
talk to her friends, and to also receive their
congratulations. OF course her own family are
allowed to kiss the bride first
The bride remains at her post an hour and
half, then leaves the room TO ascend and dress
for her bridal tour. She comes down In the
quiet dress fitted for travelling 10 this country
twhere the bright blue velvets and shiny silks
which are used In England for bridal trips are
Cur railway trains are more public and less
clean than those of the British isle), and bids
her friends good-by. Getting into the car
are driven off under shower OF rice and slip
pers, which are thrown after them for luck.
The wedding presents, which In the houses
ard COSTLY are shown n N a1s
York, one Of Tiffany men comes up to arrange
them on large table or series OF tables. and
the silver and gold and diamond ornaments,
the sets OF silver, the laces, the china, and the
fine gilt ornaments for parlor, the exquisite
Dresden toilette table sets. the fans, and the
clocks, and lamps, are freely criticised.
plain-looking watchful man In dark suit
stands near the diamonds; this is a detective
In plain clothes who is attending to the safety
Of these valuables, for thieves break through
and steal, sometimes even clad In purple aud
fine linen. Some families object TO the display
OF the presents, and the brides intimate
friends alone are allowed the pleasure OF be
holding them.
Much has been said and written against the
perversion Of the original idea or wedding pres
entS. They are now but too often az outcrop
OF the ostentation OF the giver. But Tie choice
OF articles might even then be much more Sc
lect and appropriate. TIC load bride down
With two silver services which she cannot use,
they simply accumulate expense for storage
and for Insurance, seems foolish thing to DO.
The English fashion OF giving handsome jew
elTy and camels hair shaWlS and laceS seems
far more appropriate, as these, to q young wo-
man with small income, are always valuable
adjuncts- Duplicates amongst wedding pres
ents are also 70 De axo d NOT , should inc
gravy spoons given her, exchanges three OF
Them for something else. The bride writes
note over her own hand always to thank the
In the days Of betrothal the young lover must
task papa" OF course, for bis daughters hand.
as the ySgng lady saa allowed him to
1.-The is ravorably received. he gives his Na'acee
I'VE have no synonym fer this word IA Englfshl
diamond solitaire engagement ring, paying
IL 2pyWQeIC ITOU SZUU W ,UUU. LUIS SocluS
to be Indispensable. although ft is to be regret
ted that the eXpensiveneSS Of modern betrothals
and weddings is keeping many young men from
wedding the girls whom they love. Honest and
strong hearts will, however, do without the
solitaire and the fashionable wedding II they
love each other; we are merely giving the latest
touches OF gay fashion.
Some very opulent grooms are adopting the
English fashion OF giving three gypsy rings In
siea6 of the diamond solitaire, which are hoops
Of diamonds. rubles and Sapph1reS. These form
q beautiful ornament for the third finger OF
pretty hand. The wedding ring is still the old
strong pure cIrclet OF virgin gold, with the
posy within, and the initials OF bride and
groom, the date, and anything else which the
parties choose.
The manner of announcing engagements
seems to be frequently this: the groom steps
into his club, and tells an intimate friend; the
lady writes TO her Intimate friends, and her
mamma has the day before informed all the
grandparents the aunts and cousins. It then
flies on the wings OF the wind; 1t Is caught UP
by jenkins; 1t appears in the newspapers. The
young couple give IL final endorsement by
= walking arm in arm In 5th avenue. Much pain
is given and much harm done by unauthorized
announcements In the fashion newspapers OF
engagements which are rum0red but which do
not exist, and 1t is In doubtful taste TO allude
to them In print
Weddings in the e, ening are In the same
order as the morning wedding, with the single
difference that In the morning the gentlemen