Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-12-03
WEDDING ETIQUETTE.
False and Loose Methods Hollow
Mockcries and sharns.

Mockcries and shans.
Exception is taken in high quarters
TO the statement in last Sundays Times
that wedd NJ invitations do not require
an answer. They certainly do not re-
qure an answer rs a rule. and as
general thing are not answered. But
there are exceptions. IL is generally
understood that an invitation to q
church wedding does not require any
nowledgement, though many con-
tend that It is only opt onal. and
though tho person invited is free TO
take no notice of the invitation it is as
well to do SO and more polite. As
matter of fact, the number of people
who acknowledge invitations to church
weddings is exceedingly small. 1t Is
,toutly contended, however and with
much force. that invitations to we'd
ding al home should be acknowledged
and either accepted or declined, for the
reason that on such occasions some
sort of entertainment is always pro-
vidcd and it is necessary 10 know how
many to provide for, espcc ally when
the number Of invited guests i likely to
be large. Yet there are many who
think that invitations simply to we'd
ding ceremony in the daytime. when
there is no regular reception, do not
demand a formal acknowledged
1t is. of course, better etiquette on
such occas ions to send a card
The whole difficulty about wedding
etiquette and the difference of opinion
that exists on SO many po nts is the
result Of the false and loose methods and
the hollow mockeres and shams into
which people have been drifting for
several wears. Weddings. which were
once the most charming As well n the
most beautiful of social events inciden-
tai TO the home life, have been allowed
To become to a great extent mere spec
lacles for the exhibition of vanity.
The bride commissions some one to
look after her dresses, the br degroom
appoints some one TO hire carriages,
employ clergymen. etc. and the bride )
family put the whole arrangement of
the house, the church. the feast, etc,
n the hands OF some caterer or decora-
tor. The getting up OF the invitations
is given to an expert IN such matters IN
some shop. and very often the invita-
tons are sent out wholesale by some
one who is employed for the purpose.
People invited 20 or not rs they feel
inclined, and 90 TO shops and order
presents sent in the most perfunctory
way, 50 that a bride is A. likely as not to
ret twenty vases, or dozen lamps. or
fifty spoons of dinercn; patterns
Where presents are sent they should. if
possible. be sent early. so n to give the
br de-clect plenty Of time TO a"knowl-
edge them: and if worth sending at all
they deserve that some time and care
should b given TO their selection. 1t
is n common thing to hear brides say
that ofali their wedding presents they
appreciate and value most the few ap-
propriate and often inexpensive things
that come from their intimate friends.
II should not be forgotten that a we'd
ding is the first, cho ccst and most M
portaut of all social Incidents. and that
an Invita- on to one is one OF the great
st complimt hts that can be conferred.
Invitations TO AailS dinners and part cs
may be pcrluh rt0ry and meaningless.
bat almost without exception it j. only
friend, or acquaintances who are hon
ored who are invited TO a wedding. and
po nt should always be strained to
make some sort of acknowledgment
-IHHGifEIHid ItHlfe