Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-05-10
SOME SPRING ETIQUETTE
The Newest Ideas Save Time for
Fashionable Women.
ODDITIES IN STATIONERY
The Bride Now Sends Her Thanks for We'd
ding Gifts With an Engraved Card.
Stereotyped Expressions.

New York, May S.--The new style of
wedding invitation announcement sheet
is almost square, and the paper has a
vellum finish. Smooth-surfaced paper
may be used for dinner and ball recep-
ton invitations, but in no case for a we'd
ding. A thick, pure white paper that
is absolutely tntless is the style decreed,
and the envelope is of medium size, with
either pointed or a square flap, the lat
ter being more expensive and in higher
| favor. -
When invitations are issued to a recep-
ton after ceremony which has been
| performed in the presence of only few
| friends the phrase, 1.-The honor of your
presence" would be too formal, and "the
pleasure of your company is usually
| substituted. The announcement cards
| sent out when there have been no invita-
tons to either wedding or reception, are
distinguished by great simplicity, and 1t
IS noticeable that the little proposition
to- obtains universally in the connect
Ing of the names.
Invitations should reach the guests ex-
| actly two weeks before the event. In the
| case of a noon wedding, which is invaria-
bly, followed by a breakfast, the card Of
invitation to the house Should the cere-
mony be In church) is inclosed with that
being inserted. This observance makes
the breakfast invitation more personal
and less suggestive of a circular.
Cards to the church are optional, but
are much favored, because they guard
against an intrusive crowd. In England
1t Is the custom to inclose with each in
vitation visiting card, upon which is
written admit to church." In this coun-
try such cards are printed.
Those conversant with the doings of
~ In oh at. Ill
that the English are much more sparing
of expense, time and trouble than we are
Printed forms of wedding invitations are
furnished by stationers in London, and
1t Is quite admissible to use them. Two
sets of invitations to the church are
printed. and to one set is added the
words: And afterward to the house in
- square" In America this Is never
done. A separate invitation to the house
is always issued.
wedding presents now save an immense
amount of physical labor and penman-
ship by simply filling out an engraved
card worded as follows:
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Bailey
express sincere thanks to
for the beautiful wedding gift
May l. - 929 Fifth Avenue.
One polite stationer has also come to
the rescue of those families who receive
vast Hu1upeTS Oh cOnQOlenceS at the time
of a bereavement. This is the proper
way to word the card:
Mr.. and Mrs. Stuyvesant VanDyke de-
sire to express their sincere thanks and
appreciation for your kind expressions
of sympathy in their great bereavement.
Washington Square"
The powers that be decree that dinner
invitations shall be engraved, not writ
ten, on heavy cream-colored note paper
or card. A coat of arms or monogram,
or both, embossed In silver or gold, Is
considered in good form, and the envelope
used must be perfectly plain The same
fiat, from which there Is no appeal, has
pronounced the death sentence of the
menu. +sas
Menus are no longer fashionable, unless
the dinner be given to celebrate an event
of which they would prove valuable as
souvenir. A simple white card, with
center crest, IL the host honestly possess
es one. stamped in gold and properly in
scribed, is placed ON each plate to desg-
nate the seat of the guest
The hostess sonnet times gives roses of
corresponding color to the couple who are
to go in to dinner together which is a
pretty way of pairing the guests.
Under no circumstances, declare the
same august authorities, should an ordi-
nary visiting card be used for an invita-
ton, even to the most informal of lunch
cons. personal note should be written,
and for a more formal affair engraved
cards must be used.
The formality of bidding adieu to the
hostess at an afternoon tea is now dis
pepsed with; the omission Is considered
with favor and in good taste. No after
calls are made In acknowledgment of
tea. Informal receptions are regarded as
no more than grand calling days, and
after calls are, not expected from those
who attend. The absentees make re-
turn call at their leisure. An invitation
prefaced with "the pleasure of your COM
pany is requested requires an answer
and call of acknowledgment. Invita-
tions to the receptions or dinners given
to betrothal pair always terminate with
the phrase "to meet" followed by the
names of the two honored guests, thus,
Ito meet Miss Harper and Mr.. Gotham"