Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-11-20
WEDDING ETIQUETTE.
Preparations for the Ceremony
Harper's Bazaar.

tory of mankind, ana WHICH pVS''9
fruit i'm our later and more complex
civilization. still reminding us OF the
mast In early and in savage days
the man sought his bride herolcaliy,
and carried her off by force. 1t is
still q theory that the brioe is thus
carried off. Thus the long cherished
theory bears fruit in the English cere-
monial. where the only carriage farm
ished be the groom is the one in which
he drives the bride away to the spend
ino of the honeymoon. Up to that
time he has had no rights of proprie-
tership. Even this is not allowed IN
America among fashionable people,
the brides father sending them IN his
own carriage on the first stage Of
their Journey. 1t Is not etiquette for
the groom TO furnish anything for his
own wedding but the ring and a bou-
uuet for the bride, presents for the
bridesmaids and the best man, and
some token to the ushers. lie pays
the clergyman.
He should not pay for the cards, the
carriages, the entertainments OF any
thing connected with the wedding.
This is decided in the high court OF ell
uuette This is the province OF the
family of the bride and should be in
sisted upon.
AT the altar the groom, if he is a
millionaire, makes his wife his equal
by saying with all my worldly
goods thee endow," but until he has
uttered these words she has no claim
on his purse for clothes or cards, or
household furnishing, or anything
but those articles that come under the
head of such gifts as it is a lovers
privilege to make.
A very precise old time arlstOcrat OF
New York broke her daughters en-
gaqement to gentleman because he
brought her a dress from PARIS. She
said, if he did not know enough not
TO give her daughter clothes while she
was under her roof, he should not
have her.
This is a remark which applies at
once to that liberty permitted to en-
gagged couples in rural neighborhoods,
where the young girl is allowed to go
on a journey at her lovers expense
A girls natural protector should
know better than TO allow this. They
know that her purity is her chief at
traction to man, and that a certain
coyness and virgin al freshness are the
dowry she should bring her future
husband. Suppose that this engage
ment is broken off. How will she be
accepted by another lover after hay
ing enjoyed the hospitality Of the first z
Would it not make a disapreeable
feeling between the two men, al
though No 2 might have perfect res
pect for the girl.
1t is the privilege of the bride to
name the wedding day, and of her
father and mother to pay for her
trosseou. After the wedding invita-
tions are issued she shall not appear
in public
The members Of the brides family
go to the church before the bride
The bridegroom and his best man
await them at the altar.
The bride comes last, with her faith
err or brother who is to give her away.
She Is joined at the altar step by her
fiance, who takes her hand, and then
she becomes his for life.
All these trifes mean much, as any
one can learn who goes through the
painful details of a divorce sust.
Now, when the circle of friends on
both sides is very extensive, it has of
late become customary to send invita-
tions to some who are not calico TO the
wedding breakfast, to attend the GER
emory at the church. This sometimes
takes the place of issuing cards. No
one thinks of calling ON the newly
married couple who has not received
either an invitation to the ceremony
at the church or cards after their es-
Enlistment in their new hcme
In most cases the after cards are or
dered with the other cards, and the
brides mother pays for them. But if
they are ordered after the marriage
the groem may pay for them as he
would for his vife's ordinary expenses.
Still, it is stricter etiquette thai even
these Should be paid for by the brides
family.
People who are asked to the we'd
ding send cards TO the house ii they
cannot attend, and, in any case, send
or leave cards within ten days after,
unless they are in very deep mourn
ing, when a dispensation is granted
them.
The etiquette of wedding at home
does not differ at all from the etiquette
of a wedding in church with regard to
cards. A great confusion seems to ex-
list in the minds of some as to whom
they shall send their return cards on
being invited to a wedding Some ask
'Shall l send them to the
bride, as l do not know her
mother2N Certainly not; send them
to whomsoever invites you. After.
ward call on the bride or send her
cards; but the first and important
card goes to the lady who gives the
wedding
The order of the religious part OF
the ceremony is fixed by the church
in which it occurs. The groom must
call on the clergyman, see the organ
list and make whatever arrangement
the bride pleases, but all expenses,
y. E.. s al Il