, 1889-01-15
MARRIAGE CUSTOMS.
How Weddings Are Conducted and the
Newly Welded act in England.

"SduLnsa arc Conducted and the
Newly Welded ACT in England.
When a couple in London elect to
marry, unless they intend to, do so in
n registrars Office, the bans are called
in church on three successive Sun
days. If not called in church the
registrar must ratify the contract. To
marry in the parish church presup-
poses parish residence, or at least ne
cessitates such residence for a period
of several weeks. If the man and wo-
man reside in different parishes tho
bans must be called in each parish.
1t is regarded as bad luck for them to
hear their own bans called, but each
must be represented by 4 friend. The
word husband" is from the words
house and "bann." Hence 'house-
bann, and in time husband" Until
only a year or so agono weddings by
law wcrc held at high noon, or an
hour or two previously. Afternoon
weddings had to be by special license,
very difficult TO obtain. and when OBJ
tanned, regarded as vulgar. But lat
terly swell people may marry when
they choose. The middle and the
lower classes, however, still prefer the
early day ceremony, always held in
church.
OF course the Hebrews solemnize tho
marriage service either at a
or at the home of the bride elect. A
Christian service permits any visitors
who choose to attend the church ser
vice. 1t is also customary to invite
friends to attend the house party
to the church. Bridesmaids are
o numerous here at weddings,
than in America. The veil is
nearly always worn, save in very
plain travelling costumes; but in
morning costumes of light silk the veil
IS regarded as an essential portion of
the tcllct, Although the Continent is
so near and flowers so cheap from
there, natural orange blossoms are not
a usual wedding flower. White vio-
lets, white hlacs and latterly white
chrysanthemums are far more popu-
lar. Save among very rich people tho
brides dress is severely plain in make
and fabric.
Marriage settlements are arranged
through the family solicitor on one or
both sides. Even the middle class folk
have more or less ceremony in this
matter, and the bride, though poor in
this worlds goods, is expected to go to
her new husband with u goodly sup
ply of household linen, sheets, table
cloths, towels, etc. This custom of the
bride supplying the linen is a womanly
obligation which she regards from her
childhood up as incumbent on her.
When the ceremony is concluded and
the vestry vol books signed a fee is
given to the parish clerk, to be shared
by the vicar; also n small gratuity
added for the parish beadle. 1t must
never be lower than 5 shillings, this
fee to the clerk. Fifteen shillinrs, or
$3.50 of Yankee money, is frequently
all that can be spared by the middle
class couple. OF curse riches and
generosity increase the sum total.
On leaving the church the bridal
party is greeted with liberal showers
of rice and slippers by the dozens. If
the bride weeps copiously, it is a good
omen; if she is dry eyed, st is said to
presage i'll fortune. In the days Of
witchcraft the bride-witch could only
shed three tears from her left eva
Therefore to weep in good measure
from both eyes was proof. positive that
Satan dwelt not in her heart. The bride
and groom leave church in q special
carriage called the ''bride's coach"
The front is n mass of plate glass.
The inside fittings are Of white satin.
The whole affair is very sumptuous.
These customs are observed mostly by
the middle classes, greater wealth Civ
ing greater olaborateucss or greater
severity rs may be.
The wedding breakfast is nextin On.
der. or late years this is honored
more IN the breach than in the observ-
.ance. 1t is n cold collation.. All kinds
OF game, pies, salads, fruits, ices, pud-
dings and wines and spirits galore.
The center of the table is groced by the
brides cake, which the bride herself
must cut for luck. This cutting begins
the feast. OF course the cake has before
hand been stabbed somewhat, ready 10
the hand Of the trembling bride. She
must always keep q piece of this cake
herself. The queen of England has q
very goodly share of her own bride
cake, say those who ara ''in the know"
As soon as the cake is cut the nearest
OF male kin to the bridegroom makes
a speech of congratulation to the bride.
groom always replies for her.
Other speeches follow and then prep
arations 7 made for the departure
of tho couple on their honeymoon
trip.
This trip is always taken, even
though it be only two days at near by
Ramsgatc, Margate or even Brighton.
Wedding gifts are displayed in the
drawing room, and, as in America,
vary with the wealth of the giver. On
the return of the couple from their
wedding tour they must be seen at the
church where they were married on
tie first Sunday after their return.
This custom is q fixed one. On this
occasion the bride, be she ever SO
young, must be dressed soberly, as be-
fits her new dignityIrCor. San Fran
cisco Chronicle.