Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-03

when folded they are inclosed In an oblong
envelope. The Vanderbilt-Wilson wedding
invita- tons requested 1.-The honor Of your
prcse1c e at the marriage Of their daugh,
fer. Grace. with Cornelius Vanderbilt, jr.,
whereas the old form and the one stu
sanctioned by leaders has the proposition
to, instead of with.
bridesmaids and Ushers.
Long before the issue of the invitations
the bridesmaids and ushers have been
chosen and notified. These vary in num-
Der according to the preferences OF the
bride whose right 1t Is to choose them.
though the groom's wishes are usually con-
suited in the matter, and are considered
final in the selection of best man.
When only one or two bridesmaids are
chosen the term maid or maids OF honor Is
usually applied to them. Sometimes there
are four or six bridesmaids and maid of
honor besides, in which case the maid OF
honor Is nearer and dearer 1rleno than
the others, or she may be sister or cousin
1t is the custom with certain class LOT
the groom to give bachelor dinner day
or two before the wedding. To this dinner
the clergyman is often invited, but ne Is
not expected to come. The ushers and best
man are often the only guests. but quite
frequently the dinner includes all the bach
elor friends of the one who Is about to go
over to the benedicts.
In like manner the bride entertains her
bridesmaids at a luncheon or formal din
ner. But these entertainments are mere &C
cessories, and are not necessary even In
the case of very elaborate wedding, :,
1t Is the ceremony proper at church
wedding that is especially important, as
the house wedding is less formal and more
amenable to variations to suit individual
| tastes. -
| ThegWedding Procession.
| The ushers are, Of course the first Of the
bridal party to reach the church, as it is
| their duty to seat guests in their proper
| places. The best man and the groom enter
from the vestry and proceed to the alta1
| Just as the bride and her attendants reacl
! the vestibu1e Of the church. In some cases
the bridesmaids also enter from the vestr!
and advance down the aisle, followed b,
the ushers, to meet the bride. But NOR,
often the ushefs only do this, and tn,
bridesmaids enter from the vestibule JUS
ahead of the bride, who walks in alone, o.
on the arm Of her father. The mother O
the bride has been previously seated in tn
front seat, where she will be at the bride
left during the ceremony.
At the ordinary wedding however, Their
are only a maid of honor and best man
and this is the number preferred by people
of moderate wealth. Very wealthy bride
who can afford to furnish their maids o
honor and bridesmaids with costumes an,
other paraphernalia for the ceremon!
bridesmaids. Two little boys. dressed II
4 page costume, to act as tram bearers, adj
much to the spectacular effect Of a wed
ding.
sist Of maid Of honor, two pages, a bes
man and six ushers; this Is the mode o
| procedure:
The groom and best man are waiting a
the altar. the mother Of the bride Is seate
as directed shove, the wedding march /
playing, and the ushers have marched t
the vestibuie door and turned to lead tn
bridal procession. They are followed b,