Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-01-31
WHAT IT COSTS TO MARRY,
The Expenses Of RymsFeal indul-
cerCs TO the Average Man.
The Somewhat B~urdensOme Requirements
OF Contemporaneous Re-
spectability.
BdGimHsaH.

Pomp aad splendor have always been th
~trappings Of weddings among the wealthy
The stately grandeur of the old colonia
aristocrscy on the occasion Of marriage
traditional. legends come down to Us {
brocades and v~elvets. of powder an
patches, OF dress rapiers and damon
buckles, OF clicked stockings and sati
brecches. of the coach and four, the purpl
hammer cloths, the ptsch blossom hveriet
the outriders-all the gorgeous circum
stances ofthe event-which have q irantl
fascination for the bachelor OF to day, re
s,ricted 10 8 black coat, a modest coup
and prosy railroad. And the young love
on a salary, the fellow of eight or ten hour
a day in an cfice, for whom such fin,
stories have no regrettIl reflections, is ap
10 lament with yet more tervor the sim
plicity Of q wedding to one OF his owl
class in the old days. For display as The
great landholder might, the plain farmer
shopkesper snd gentleman, generally, o.
modest means, could get himself tied uI
for life at q cost not above a weeks IN
come, with entire dignity, propriety and
social esteem.
Now, a bridegroom outfit has become
OF as much thought and expense as the
trousseau Of the bride. Since the excellent
fashion has attained of the payment Of al
~extrsneous expenses by the brides father
even to procuring the carriage IN which
the happy couple drive oil, a little burden
lifted from the groom's shoulders. But
his pocketbook is still denuded by the arti'
Giles be has to procure for himself. The
custom is to have every article new that Is
taken on the bridal journey.
Suppose the wedding occurs in the
morning. The correct attire tor the groom
is a black Prince Albert coat, light trous'
ers, patent leather boots and q white satin
scarf He may wear a single white rose
bud in his coat, but gloves worn are NO
longer de rigeur. If the wedding is at
church with a house reception, the groom
ia allowed to keep on this costume until
the time for departure. Then he envelops
himself IN q travelling dress, either Of
mixed goods or dark diagonals. The coat
must always be a trock, and a silk hat is
the only allowable head gear for q groom
TO climb into g carriage with. OF course
be then wears gloves, carries q cane and
umbrella, and at this season assumes an
overcoat. Ii the ceremony takes place
after dark, u full dress suit alone is per
missi5le, when, after the reception, is
CHANGED to o travelling suit.
WHAT THE CLOTHES COST.
The goods in sight on the groom's per-
son have by this time cost a very pretty
figure. His coat and vest have cost him
OF least $50, and his trousers SIC to Sl6.
The shoes called for SO more and the
scarf 81. His cvercoat has been delivered
only on the payment Of SIS or $75, his
gloves cost him 81 so AID his hat S.. His
and umbrella together have cost him
81. These figures are those OF articles
from the best hands snd first class in every
way, Gud the brides relatives and friends
will be pretty sure TO discover If they IRE
not frst.class. They have cost him at the
lowest obtaiuable figure $lGj.50. But the
travelling suit hos not been included. That
has cost at lsast $40, and if he vas married
ia the evening his dress suit cost at least
$50 more. These three suits, however, are
generally regarded as indispensable, no mat
ter what lime the ceremony occurs They
have mounted up to S265 so. II he adds
a morning suit it will bring up his ~expendi-
ture thus far, in round numbers, 1910.
But when the impatient lover proceeds
thus fsr in this outfit be has BY no means
exhausted the list Of his necessities. His
linen coat him at the least S25; under.
clothing, four suits at SIS, S24; socks, eight
pair 1T so cents say =, which q couple OF
peirs Of silk hose would bring II up to $40.
Gloves, scargs, lawn ties, perfumery, soaps,
powders, q silk travelling cap, couldn't
have cost hiu lest than SIS more. In the
matter of nightgowns he was IaVish-he a.
Ways is-and four at $40 added $40 to the
h~a6erdashers bill. By this time he had
gotten rid Of Just 1921 for articles which
don show On the wedding day, bat ere oil
conyeu,ionally if not actually essential.
He would need to add q bathing robe at
$40 and q smoking Jacket or dressing gown
say at $50, which would bling mp his bill to
Sl64. Looking over his purchases he
would be apt TO persuade himself OF the
need ofan extra pair OF trousera and u
Der5; hat Of cloth or stiff cashmere, which
at a total of S2l would round o! his needs
in toe way of wearing apparel ct total
cost Of $l95 which he would be certain to
make the even 500 out Of sheer despera'
ton.
Bat the happy groom is going on q Jour,
ney and he needs something to conhne and
carry not only his own wardrobe but bis
wife's. 1t 10 best to have only Il trunk
bet ween both, not only Gs g matter OF con'
venieuce and economy, but because It is less
o! q revelation to the general public tina.
its owners are newly married. The aver
ace bachelor travels with q yalise. If ht
has = trunk ia his lonely erye, it is apt tc
be an old, ranshackle, ill.tavored affair, re
volting to q groom's tremulous sensloil
j,ies. 4 new trunk can DE bought any
where from 81 to $40. If the purchaser
can afford it withou; strsiniug a point, Q
good sole leather article from a reputable
maker, is the most convenient and eco
nomical in the end. They can be had foo
from $50 to $50. A good valise is essen
tisl and such O ore will cost $40. A hs
box will cost s. more. If the groom went
to do the matter up richly he will provide
himself further with a dressing case o
leather, with cut glass bottles mounted il
nickel. This little ex ravagance may b
INDUCED in for about $50. BY contentipl
himself with moderately priced articles o.
this may ne hsd fer sos, and they vii
about include all the purchases a saYinl
bachelor OF ample habits and limited ward
robe will need to make to qualify himsei
for the responsibilities and proprieties G
m~strimopy.
1t NAV be urged that some OF thes
thiugs are cumbrous, non-essential, aud a
high priced, in which case a mar OF modes
means should not indulge in them. Tn
sufficient answer is that the luXu:ies Civ
= desirable snd expected tone to tn
grooms' wardrobe, and tbst il he doesn'
bay good clothes row, he may never g
the chance 10 wear good clothes AGAR
OTHER THINGS TO Re CONSIDERED.
The expsc'ant irst party to the sacre
contract IS now on the wrong side OF SCOT
and has still to buy the wedding ring, th
BRIDE bouquet, sud oCc ior each OF n