The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-13
AN EXPENSIVE LUXURY
Cost Of Being a Bridesmaid a seri-
GUS Strain on Girls of Limited
Incomes g - - |

IL costs so much to serve as merely at
tendant to bride or bridegroom now
aoays that many young men and women
OF scant purse and honest intentions fight
a little shy Of the whole proceeding, dear
~ as they like the attendant honor and
glory of pretty wedding, and best men.
ushers, and other masculine attendants
are increasingly difficult to obtain
/ 10 oe over and over again a brides
maid means that the girl so distinguished
Is not only much liked but that she is also
counted beauty. For the sake Of this
distinction the natural woman will sac
ri1ce much.
French newspaper writer, descanting
upon American ways and customs re-
Gently, mas much to say about the Arneri-
can nrldemaid. The pretty girl who is
frequently, requested to act in this ca
| pacity, according to the Partisan author
ity, expects to get fairly well paid for so
doing. Her "clothes," small articles of
jewelry, and a small honorarium ranging
In value from $40 to $685. she looks upon
and recelves-as hte just reward of her
successful efforts in the way Of 'tstand-
ing around and looking pretty at the
wedding celebrations of her friends. So
| far from this amusing statement having
the scantiest basis of fact, however, the
frequent bridesmaid is much the poorer
| every time she adds new laurel to her
crown of social glory in this way. 1t costs
| a pretty penny to be several times a
bridesmaid-and this is why.
| The bridemaids, to begin with, must
give the bride a present; there goes SIS at
| the least. Then, she must be prepared
for at least one luncheon, theater party,
or shower" of some kind, or all three;
to give one or more of these functions
will cost her anywhere from $40 to $3.50,
with a new gown for each one. The
brides mother will certainly entertain
the bridal party at least once; another
new Setting OUT for. the pretty brides
maid. Each one of the other brides
maids will entertain the party at least
once, also; a new gown for each of these
affairs, which may be two or twenty in
number, according to the length and
strength Of the bridal procession, must
be prepared. All these entertainments
/ together with those of the best man, the
ushers, and any other friends who may
1 desire to honor or make merry with the
prospective bride, bridegroom, and their
wedding attendants, come pretty close
/ together; the same garments can scarcely
be worn to any two of the dainty affairs
Think of the carriage and cab fares
flowers and shower" miscellanies in
which 1t will be necessary to indulge fol
the sake Of conventionality, friendliness
or the desire of keeping up appearances
consider the new gloves, silk hosiery
souvenir gifts and other trifes; medi.
tate upon the fact that the pretty gowns
and hats will be marked Articles con
spicuousy labeled, to feminine eyes anG
minds, with the date of their first appear
ance, because SO conspicuously worn Nc
bridesmaid likes to wear these garments
often. None so far has had the courage
: to make the same dainty frills and fur.
bellows serve for the setting off Of two
brides.