Middletown transcript., 1894-09-08
Our WOnan's
Column
The Grave Question of Wedding Eth
quette Discussed.

only the contracting parties, F" but all
interested outsiders:
1t is surprising and painful to note
the number of young persons who
prepare to rush into matrimony with
no knowledge of the proper manner
OF entering the estate. A young man
will propose to young woman before
he knows wheth er he will have to
wear white gloves or pearl-gray one
He will assume the awful response
bility of marriage without knowing
who should pay for the bridal bou-
quet. He will prepare to set up as a
householder and head of family
when he is ignorant of the proper
coat to wear at noon wedding.
One familiar question concerns the
expenses of the wedding With the
exception of the clergyman's fee and
the presents which the bridegroom
makes his ushers and the bridesmaids,
the expenses of the wedding are
borne entirely by the BRIDES family.
II their income is not sufficient to al
low them to give them "show" we'd
ding, they must content themselves
with quite one, for it is entirely op-
posed to the dictates of propriety
that the bridegroom should pay for
any of the festivities the brides peo-
pie choose to indulge in.
At church wedding there must be
ushers, and there may be bridesmaids.
The groom, with the best man, waits
at the altar the coming of the bride.
The ushers advance two by two, fol-
lowed by the bridesmaids. At the altar
the couples separate and form almost
a semicircle. The bride enters the
church with her father, or whoever
8 to give her away. Her maid of
homer proceeds her. The best mans
duty at the ceremony is to find the
ring and give it to the COON at the
proper moment. The maid of honor
olds the brides bouquet. The pro-
cession leaves the church with the
bride and bridegroom leading, the |
best man and maid of honor following !
and the rest of the party |
back of them.
At the reception following a we'd
ding the bride and bridegroom are
assisted in receiving by their parents.
The reception takes place in the
BRIDES home. The ushers are still
Useful to introduce people to the
newly married pair. There should be
It such reception two rooms re-
erved for dressing-rooms, a room
where the presents are displayed,
iining-room and as many other rooms
or the guests to wander through as
pace permits. Receptions are un-
comfortable things at best, and when
hey are "crushes' they are unen-
Iurable.
A home wedding may be as elabor-
ste or as simple as the bride chooses.
The professional is dispensed with
Usually. She enters the room on her
ather's arm, is conducted to the place
where the bridegroom, best man and
lergyman await her, hands her bou-
.uet to the maid of honor at the
roper time and is quietly married.
The wedding dress should be made
nth high neck and long sleeves.
lothing can be in more questionable
aste than decollete wedding gowns.
the bride is widow she may not
rear the conventional white frock and
nd veil. If she is not she may wear ,
hat she pleases, but unless she {
hooses the customary white silk, it is {
etter for her to wear a travelling
own and bonnet. At a wedding oc-
nrr1ng after 6 o'cock the bridegroom,
est man and ushers should wear the
sual evening garb. At morning,
DON or afternoon wedding they v
lould wear fine striped or checked q
'ousers, black frock coats and white
'ur-in-hands or bow ties. Q
All the persons whom the bride :
ishes to keep on her list of calling 9
,quaintancs must be invited to :
ther the church ceremony or the re-
'ption. All persons who are invited
ust call on her afterwards. Generally
le bride gives two or three wedding !,
ceptions to give her friends chance tt
clear off this debt. 1t is customary ).
+ all those who are invited to either O.
Q ceremony or reception to send h
me token of their regard; but it is Il
I absolutely necessary. Between a a
ry formal acquaintances note of a
ngratulations and good wishes will Ia
flee. All presents should be sent ~ n,
the bride and all things which y y
ed marking should have the Initials e
her maiden name on them. III