The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1889-01-02
MARRneE CUSTOMS.



Ne~ly welded Aet IN England.
When a couple IN London elect to
marry. unless they intend to do so In
q registrars Office, the hans are called
In church on three successive Sum
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
cessltates such residence fol. period
of several weeks If the man and To-
man reside IN different parishes the
bans must be called IN each parish.
Il is regarded as bad luck for them to
hear their own bans called, but each
must be represented by friend. The
word .'husbandn Is from the words
.shouse" and asbann.n Hence sshouse-
bann, and IN time sshusband.n Until
only year or 50 agone weddings by
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 coarse the Hebrews solemnize the
marriage service either at synagogue
or at the home of the bride elect. A
Christian service permits any visitors
who choose to attend the church ser
vice. It IS also customary to invite
friends to attend the house party
10 the church. bridesmaids are
more 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 toilet Although the Continent Is
50 near and flowers so cheap from
there. natural orange blossoms are not
a usual wedding flower. White vio-
lets, white hlacS and latterly white
chrySinthemums are far moro popu-
Hr- Save among very rich people the
brides dress Is severely plain in mako
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
Tins worlds goods, IS expected 10 90 to
her i:cw husband with a goodly sup
ply Of household linen, sheets, table
CLOTHS. towels, etc. This custom of the
bride supplying the linen Is womanly
obligation which she regards from her
childhood up as incumbent on her.
When the ceremony is concluded and
the Vcstry room books signed fee IS
given to the parish clerk, to be shared
by the vicar; also a small gratuity
added Tor the parish bcadle. It must
never be lower than shillings, this
fee 10 the clerk Fifteen shiilings. or
$375 OF Yankee money, is frequently
all that can be spared by the middle
class couple OF course 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 good
prcSagc III fortune. In the DAYS of
witcRcr.,ft the bride-witch could only
shed three tears from her left eye.
Therefore to weep in good measure
from 10th eyes was proof positive that
Satan Cwclt not in her heart. The bride
and groom leave church in special
carriage called the brides coach.
The front IS one mass of plate glass.
The in=ltic fittings are OF white satin.
Tho whole affair is very sumptuous.
These customs are observed mostly by
the middle classes, greater wealth giv-
ing ercatef claborlteneSs or greater
severity rs may be.
The wedding breakfast is next IN or
der OF late years this is honored
more III the breach than in the observ-
ance Il Is cold collation.. All kinds
of g-.mc. pies. salads, fruits. ices, pud-
dings and wines and spirits galore.
The center of the table is graced by the
brides cake, which the bride herself
must cut for luck This cutting begins
the feast. OF course the cake has before
hand bccn stabbed somewhat, ready to
the hand of the trembling bride. She
must alwrys keep q piece OF this cake
herself. The queen of England has q
very Soodly share of her own bride
cake. say those WI O arc lin the know.
As soon a5 the cake Is cut the nearest
of male kin to the bridegroom makes
a speech of congratulation to the bride
The groom always replies for her.
Other speeches follow and then prep
arations are made for the departure
of Tie 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
the first Sunday after their return.
This custom is n fixed one On this
occasion the bride. be she ever so
young, must be dressed soberly. as be-
fits her new dignity San Fran
cisco Chronicle.