The times., 1899-05-07
dame FASHIONS -
WEDDING RULES
Latest Prescribed Method of
Being Married in Style.
Prospective Brides Ought to Be
Thankful.
No More Elaborate Troussenux to
Tire Them to Dcnth-Othcr SEM
sibIe Provisions.

Until this season bride-elects never ap-
peared at any social gathering of import
anee after their wedding cards were is
sued. That rule is now dead letter and
up TO the day before her wedding, young
woman is seen everywhere. OF course this
is the natural result OF the recent and
reasonable revolt against putting together
an elaborate trousseau- Smart girls In
New York society, for instance, who are
marrying this spring, have provided them
selves with suitable wardrobes for the
season and nothing more. and this. with
the getting of the wedding dress, has left
them time and strength for all the passing
gaieties Of the moment
Another new and interesting point in
the present busy hymenial season is the
very early sending out of invitations. Cards
are posted just month before the day Of
the wedding, and rule somehow has
arisen ordaining that directly on receipt
| OF the invitation the wedding present must
| be sent, or within four days after recefv-
| ing the invitation. By this means the bride
/ is not troubled with the struggling in OF
| gifts up TO the very day of the ceremony,
and heavy demand on her vocabulary OF
| tuduhS Ill III Tue Wtch pIcCtulA6 HCi
riage and maybe the week after
! There is also another deep-laid design
| in sending out invitations SO early.
| bride who posts her cards four weeks be-
| fore the great day fully expects her friends
to call upon her promptly, and by skillfui
conversation acquire pretty clear notion
OF what she really wants in the way OF
gift. Relatives and intimate friends are
expected to openly solicit her wishes on
| that point, or you can take aside her moth
er, who knows the young ladys wishes,
and will considerably give helpful tips
Too many persons are negligent in ac-
knowledging the receipt Of wedding in
yitation. or are puzzled to know just how
such an invitation should be treated, ac-
cepted or regretted. One fixed rule TO
keep in mind is the Importance of ac-
knowledging this courtesy and doing
promptly. II asked to the church only an
swer by the accepted formula in the third
person, saying Mr.. and Mrs Blank ac-
cept with pleasure Mr.. and Mrs So and
Sos kind invitation to the marriage of
their daughter on June 81. at half past
three o'clock at St Johns Church. or
| Mr.. and Mrs. Blank regret that illness
Tor absencel will prevent their acceptance
etc" This same phrasing is employed
when the invitation is to the church and
the house after the ceremony. the SEN
tence land to the breakfast Tor reception)
at four o'clock" added at the end OF the
page on which the reply is given
1t is now regarded as not only incon-
siderate. but distinct Ill omen for bride
to keep her guests and her fiance waiting
one moment over the time set for the
ceremony, and brides OF this spring Lave
proudly boasted that they stepped into the
church aisle exactly as the slock struck
the hour.
This spring also the superstitious fancy
has arisen for catering to the lucky fates
by putting the right foot first on enter
ing the church. turning to leave the
chancel, and on entering the carriage.
| White lilac and asparagus fern have been
the choicest bridal bouquet since the lilacs
came-into flower, but with the passing OF
these nothing has been considered smarter
than a bouquet of pure white rhododen-
drons and acacia blossoms White sweet
peas and asparagus fern is another lovely
| combination very much the mode, and II
seems to be the universal custom now for
every wedding guest TO wear 4 buttonhole
bouquet or breast knob of white howers
II was the accepted fashion a little while
ago for every bride to go TO the altar lean
ing on the arm of her father, brother. or
| whichever male relative was chosen to give
her away. Now this custom is rather more
frequently honored in the breach than
otherwise for the bride has come to the
conclusion that not only is supporting
arm not needed. but that she makes more
striking and effective appearance proceed
ing up the aisle alone. When this form OF
procession is adopted the father of the
| bride gives his wife his arm up the aisle.
and only when his daughter is at the foot
/ of the chancel steps does he come forward,
take her hand in his. hand her TO her
fance. and stand beside her until the
marriage lines are all pronounced
Where do the relatives come in and what
does the best man do with his hat9 are
questions that cause anxiety occasionally
| Abroad they follow the very expressive
custom of lengthening out the bridal cor
tege with the lady's parents and immediate
relatives When the wedding march De-
gins. following the bridesmaids, the moth
er of the bride goes up the aisle on the
arm of her son, or grandparents go hrst'
followed by married sisters and orothers
of the bride her aunts uncles. and even
her cousins This is occasionally the ar
rangement in America. though as ruie'
| the family come in first, quietly take theif
uIaces. and the wedding march announces
the bride. preceded by the usnefs anu
flower girls and followed by her maids
The mother of the bride usually comes to
: the church in the carriage with the head
) bridesmaid or maid of honor. and the other
members of the family arrive with the
other attendants. When the ceremony IS
over the mother and father go down the
aisle together and then the remainder Oh
the family follow anu pass uu' o' ee NS-
D trail door.
The best man leaves his hat in the yes
r try and gloves as we'll because he must al
l the altar hold the hat and gloves OF the
; groom. and he would present very over
worked aspect if he stood at attention with
A high hat in either hand. When he gives
( the groom his hat and gloves he returns
t hurriedly to the vestry. picks up his own
belongings and drives away to the bride 5
house from the side entrance Of the church.
: woman who is married in n travelling
t dress ought not to have any bridesmaids
: Her bouquet can be held during the cere-
g mony by the relative who gives her away
i and when couple are married and leave
8 at once for their honeymoon journey. the
S groom goes to the train or steamship IN
: tbo frocl coat in which he was married.
when Leap Year Ia No More
| lam