The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-01
PARLOR WEDDINGS,
Their Management by People Who Make No
! Pretensions to Fashionable Display.

Their Management by People Who Make No
Pretensions to Fashionable Display.
Evening Wisconsin.
The parlor carpet, stair carpet, and front
hall should be covered with white muslin,
laid as nicely as possible. This preliminary
the bride should rather insist upon, for it
gives bridal air to the entire surrounding,
and is very little trouble. 1t improves mat
ters immensely if the carpets are a little
shabby, and the muslin is just as good as new
for all sorts of uses afterward; besides, this
use of white covers distinguishes a wedding
from an ordinary party The room should
be charmingly fresh and pretty, with baskets
or bowls of flowers here and there, and the
bride and groom should decide beforehand
just where they will stand; usually the space
between the front windows, or in front of
the high mantel, is chosen; if the house
is an old-fashioned one. If the Episcopal
service is used, two hassocks, covered with
white muslin are placed for the happy pair
to kneel upon. The company should be as
sembed in the parlor e little while before
the hour set for the ceremony, the minister
standing near the place to be occupied by
the bridal couple. When the hour arrives,
the groomsman and bridesmaid precede the
bride and groom down the staircase, then
loiter moment at the door of the parlor
until the bride and groom are just behind
them, then they enter, leading the way for
the bride, and take their places just upon
the left of the place where she is to stand.
This brings the two girls in the center, with
the men on the outside, and the tableau is
pretty one. The party, of course, face the
company, and the family of the
bride and groom take their
places on either side, so as
to at once offer their congratulations. At
the close of the ceremony the minister takes
the brides hand, calls her first by her new
name, and, if the moral sense of the company
will permit he kisses her. Then he congrat-
ulates the groom This is the moment Sc
lected by the self-possessed man to pay his
fee. He has provided himself with So gold
piece, at least probably an eagle, and posi-
bly, $50 piece. 1t is nicely wrapped in It's
sue paper in his vest pocket, and he clasps
it into the parsons palm, saying softly TO
him that nothing can fully repay the service
he has rendered him. Or, he can intrust the
delivery of the fee to the groomsman, who
should attend to it the moment the parson
has graduated the happy pair; but the
groom had better attend to it himself. The
groom's parents are entitled to offer the first
congratulations among the relatives, because
they of course welcome the bride as their
new daughter. Then the other friends come
up and say civil things Presents may be
sent any time after the wedding invitations
are out, and they ought to be sent always
before the day of the wedding though this
is rule very frequently violated. The bride
writes a pretty little note to each giver, eX-
pressing her thanks and her pleasure at re-
membrance. Verbal thanks do not count as
ack nowledgment of bridal gifts. The COLA
ton should be laid in the dining-room, and
small tables may be placed about the room.
Some member of the brides family should
see to it that the old people among the guests
are comfortably seated and served before the
general company enter the dining-room.
The chairs which the bridal party are to &C.
cupy are prettily designated by white rib
bons."