Omaha daily bee., 1908-04-26
TTEIEC THE KNOT IS EASY
Preparations Call for Much Work and
Thoughtfulness.
CONvEETIoNAITT1Es OBSERVED
rips for the Inexperienced Leaders IN
Easter Weddings - Importance
of Little Details of the
Function.

Although the actual marriage service may
last but ten short minutes and although It
may take less than forty-five seconds for
the pronouncing OF the words that bind two
souls together for all time as man and
wife" no crises through which they will
ever pass can be so important IN the life
OF a man or a maid as the brief but so
momentous time Of their marriage. In
View therefore. Of the magritude Of the
occasion it is astonishing how little the
average bride and groom-to-be know OF
take the trouble to learn OF the many
small details in connection with the neces-
sary preparation for the wedding and in
the carrying out OF the established con-
ventionalities and observances of the actual
service itself.
Scarcely marriage take place that un-
told annoyance and incoLveniences are not
caused the officiating clergyman by the
neglect Of some minor but all important
point OF the carelessness in the observing
Of some little detail in the ritual due to
lack OF forethought on the part of the
bride or bridegroom, or the thoughtless-
nees OF the best man.
Should the bride. for example, forget to
slip up the fouth finger OF her glove that
the ring may be easily and quickly slipped
on. a wait singularly embarrassing 10 all
concerned must needs interrupt the service,
while the bride with nervous fingers re-
moves her entire glove which she cannot
attempt TO put on again in her hurry and
excitement until after she has walked down
the aisle the cynosure OF all eyes. the ma
jority of whom will In all probability be
charitably inclined, but large percentage
OF whom are sure to be only too glad OF
) he opportunity given them for adverse
criticism.
Mistakes that Mar.
From the very beginning. therefore, It
behooves the happy couple TO see to It
that so far as is within their power none
of the mistakes which go to mar the many
weddings shall be perpetrated at theirs.
Ali details. such as procuring the mar
riage license. engaging the clergyman and
the carriages. should be attended to at
least a week in advance. and the wise bride
does not order her cards until she is posi-
tive that she can have possession of the
church at the hour named.
house wedding has never the dignity
nor the charm of a church ceremony. and
unless necessitated by a difference of re-
ligion or in the case OF mourning when all
display Is prohibited, is not often given
and, although for one reason or another It
may be obligatory to dispense with a re-
ception at the house of the brides parents
church wedding is at the moment dis
tinctly the most popular. Apart from any
religious ideas on the subject, there is no
man nor woman living but Is sufficient Of
sentimentalst to take pleasure in oc-
caslonally visiting the spot where his or her
marriage was solemnized, and In this coun-
try of rapid growth and constantly vary
ing centers OF population, decade is a
long time for any house to remain stand
ing. or, at any rate, to be occupied as a
s-private residence.
\o1 Rules 60 BE Observed.
The ruAes and conventionalities to be OBJ
served IN the church are most OF them ex-
tremely old, many. indeed, dating back un-
limited centuries yet for each couple. the
laws are new and must be given careful
study. To commence with, after the signal
has been given from the main door of the
church and the first strains of the wedding
march announces the arrival of the bride
and her suite the groom, accompanied by
his best man." who together have been
waiting In the vestry. wallS 20 the steps OF
the chancei ana wait there for the rest OF
the bridal party. The friends and reIatives
Of the bride are seated on the left hand
side OF the church. those of the groom on
the right The bride when she enters the
church walks at the right OF her father or
whoever is to give her away. and also or
the right arm OF her newly made husband
as she leaves the altar. The hetrothal takes
place at the chancel and the marriage
proper at the altar. The maid of honor and
best man" must be In close attendance
throughout the ceremony--one that she may
be ready 10 take the bridal bouquet while
the ring is being placed on the finger and
afterward to arrange the long bridal train
when the couple have turned about for the
walk down the aisle after the service,
while the best man" who has previously
been entrusted with the ring, stands ready
to give IL at the required moment.
Dntiea of the Best Man.
After shaking hands with the minister
and after the brides train has been ar
ranged TO her satisfaction. the recessional
march peels forth and the cares and
anxleties os the bride and groom are
over. while upon the shoulders OF the best
man devolve whatever duties that are stl
70 be attended to. Although IN some cases
he walks down the aisle In company Will
the maid OF honor the best man should By
rights go at once into the vestry room
where the fees for sexton. organlst and
clergyman are paid by him. II Is also hi:
duty to see TO Il that the trunks and other
baggage are Properly checked (for he alone
Is generally taken into the confidence Of
the happy couple), and that the carriage Il
take the bridal pair away Is ordered and
on time and so far as is in his power n,
must keep all the luggage free from ric,
end other means OF Identification OF tn,
raet that the owners thereof have not beer
married many years Above all, the bes
man must not forget to have notice OF IN,
marriage inserted In the morning paper,
the day following the nuptials
RuIes for the Bridesmaids.
Apart from attending the required III
tings for her gowns and hats, the duti /,
Incumbent upon q bridesmaid are no, ardu
Gus, and she Is selected only because o
close friendship through girlhood the bid
desires 20 have her near at this time. TIL
custom Of having the bridesmaids s'ar
from either side Of the chsncei and wal
down the center aisle to meet the brid
and escort her to the altar Is a pretty on,