Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-28


drives. Ned is an object of consuming in
teTest not only to her own family, but to
even the least known of her acquaintanccs
She receives the sweetest little attentions
from friends, and foes, too. In this latter
| category are the girls who wish they were
enjoying her honors. The wedding day ia
announced, wedding cards fiutter around
ana the next act finds her huggng herself
with delight over the wedding presents. For
every new parcel she opens she immedia tely
indites pretty little note of thanks. until
the nearness Of the wedding day and the
multitudinous duties it brings with it make
1t simply impossible to spend two minutes
undisturbed at her desk. So, at last. II Ia
all pushed aside until she returns from her
wedding trip. The trousseau, which Is one Of
the important features of the wedding
preparations, can be made either an occu-
patoh OF months or weeks. precisely as
one tastes or finances will allow. In all
the history of weddings you never hear of
one postponed because the bridal gown was
diminished 1t would indeed be dressmaker
with heart of flint who could cause such
disappointment as that
Farewell to Bachelor Day..
Jack. on the other hand, is taking leave
OF the frivolities of single blessedness His
friends have a cheerful way of insinuatin
may be guilty should be condoned, for his
chances in the future will not be numerous.
He has his wardrobe to replenish, and to
choose the men who are to stand by him
ON his wedding day. His attentions to Nell
must be redoubled, or he is likely to hear
what we have all heard dozens of times
"Oh, yes! He takes her pretty cool. now
that she is not likely to get any attention
from other men," He gives cons.derab BILE
tlfne to getting acquainted with the rela-
in iFno1t nt,r Of h
fashionable engagement does not last over
SIX weeks, but may stretch over three
months. During this period the tokens
proper to lay on the shrine of love are
mowers, fruits and sweets, both in words
and in fine French confectionery especially
the latter. A man with a standing credit
at MS florists gives that parsonage an
order for bouquet of violets, or whatever
else hover Nell favors, to be sent her every
day. AT this idyliic time it is simply heart
less to say that a couple should not ex-
change costly gifts until the very eve of
thelr wedding day, for the reason that in
the case OF rupture it is not only embar-
RAISING, but something of a hardship also
to send them back.
One of the Interesting functions of an up-
to-aate betrothal Is shopping expedition,
participated in by the couple and their re-
spective parents or guardians. A broom a
carving hnl1e and fork, salt cellar, a
Biple, brass door knocker, a candIestic4,
ana pair of bellows are bought and r,.e-
scented to the couple. This is a revival of
an old German custom of presenting the
young pair with what were considered the
seven enblems OF those virtues which go
10 make up perfect household. The ex-
petition must be finished up by a lunch
party, at which the bridal attendants
might also be present.
Wedding Gift Exhibition.
AS sort OF compromise between max
ing what some people imagine is an osten-
tatious display of the wedding presents
and the other extreme which hides Them
entirely from view is an afternoon recep-
ton two days before, or perhaps OIL the
eve of the wedding. 1t makes a pleasant
male to the rehearsal, which is also an
important feature of the wedding prepara-
tlon. AT this reception the presents are
exhibited, instead of showing them at the
wedding reception or breakfast. 1t will be
remembered this sort of entertainment pre-
ceded the Marlborough-Vanderb nuptials,
as we'll as the Whitney-Paget marriage
last fall in New York. At the wedding re-
ception there was nothing to distract at
tention from the couple. their attendants,
the guests and the breakfast. The wedding
gift exhibition. however, has not as yet
obtained very much popularity in this city
AT the Leiter-CurZon wedding breakfast
last spring the gifts were displayed in
strong room, the jewels, ETC., in locked
cases and well guarded by picked servants.
AT the last wedding in the family of the
chief justice of the Supreme Court the
intimate friends. So that present exhibit
ton reception on the part of coming spring
brides would be distinct innovation and
a genuine novelty.
They Are I'm Evidence.
Years ago it was the correct thing for
bride-elect not to be seen abroad after the
wedding cards were sent out. These were
the days evidently when "blushing brides
were the ideals. They would never be rec
ognized in the matter-of-fact individual of
today, who, no matter how madly in love
she may be, never gives any public mani
festation of her tender regard for Jack, and
never let's the fact Of the approaching we'd
ding cause her to omit any social duty
are enjoying and dislike to drop out of the
public eye for even day. There have been
brides and grooms who attended large So
cial affairs the night before their wedding,
a long absence from this city. found
the occasion good one on which
to bedeck herself with as many of
her wedding gifts as it was possible
The young lady has rever, it is needless to
say, been commended for either good sense
or good taste. short period of seclusion
from social affairs, excepting. of course,
the family Inequalities in honor of the cou-
pie, would seem to be in good form.
The arrangements for wedding are al
ways mainly in the hands of the bride and
her family. Church arrangements should
be attended to several weeks or a month in
advance. The clergyman should be given
timely notice of the date when his services
will be required. There are always favor
lite churches and favorite clergymen-and it
Is only courteous that their attention be
called to proposed arrangements before
they are definitely settled. Embarrassing
changes have sometimes been necessary in
the date after the wedding cards were sent
out because of failure to acquaint the
church authorities.
The brides parents bear all the expenses
attendant upon the Inequalities of a we'd
ding-the reception or wedding breakfast
Naturally, this includes the cost of the in
vitations which go out in their name.
The bride presents her bridesmaids with
the dresses, hats and gloves worn by them
at the wedding, and gives them, besides.
little souvenirs of the joyous occasion in
the way Of stick pins or brooches
He FOots the Bills.
The groom's only expense, so far as his
bride Is concerned, up to the happy moment
Of their union, is her bouquet. She selects
the flowers Of which 1t will be made, and
the florist makes it in whatever style may
be popular. The groom pays for it, and the
bouquets which the bridesmaids carry and
the boutonnieres with which the ushers and
best man are adorned. If he Is doing the
thing regardless of cost he also sends a
h0rr rAf % ktn< ri @t