The sun., 1908-12-13
REpDINa ETIQUETTE.
Duties or the Best Man-Items Paid for
by the Bfidegfoom.

Duties OF the Best Mnn-ztems Raio tor
by the Bfidegroom.
The presence Of best man 10 oon-
sidered indispensablea at wedding. There
is no rule against his being married II he
happens to be the most intimate friend
the bridegroom possesses but II 10 priv
ilege seldom taken advantage Of ana
bachelor lie generally chosen.
He accompanies the bridegroom TO the
church or he meets him there-more
usually the former. as he not unfrequently
breakfasts with him at his bachelor quar-
tara for the last time, and drives with him
subsequently to the church. The two go
together TO the vestry to pay the fees, and
for this purpose they arrive quarter
of an hour earlier than the bride. The
bridegroom pays the fee to-the vicar and
also the minor fees. Should he not arrive
in time to do this himself 1t then falls to
the lot of the best man to do 1t on his be-
half after the ceremony.
They await together the coming OF the
bridal procession at the chancel gates.
the best man standing at the bridegroom's
left hand. but during the ceremony he
takes his place at the bridegroom's right
hand. He takes charge Of his hat and
gloves and places them on a seat close at
hand and returns them TO him at the con-
clusion Of the ceremony when the bridal
pair are about TO proceed to the vestry.
He signs the register after the bride and
bridegroom have done 80, either after the
immediate relatives or before them. 40
cording as to how many are present.
Sometimes he conducts one or two OF the
ladies' present to the vestry II their sigma
lures are desired.
After this has been done and the oride
and bridegroom have left the veetry
he hastens to the porch of the church to
see them into the bridal motor car or car
rage an then returns TO assist the brioes-
maids In getting away and to render
a similar service to any others OF the
party with whom he is acquainted.
At the reception, II the bridesmalds
a few words; but oftener than not he Is
not called upon to do this He renders
any assista nee required in the Tea room
to the bridesmaids.
He usually accompanies or follows
the bride and bridegroom TO the railway
train, and with this his so-called duties
terminate, He is rot expected to give
presents to the bridesmaids or bride; II ne
is a friend of the bridegroom only his
present is given direct to him.
The bridegroom has a series OF obliga-
tons to fill connected with the ceremony,
says a writer In the 1ueen. He presents
each bridesmaid with an article Of iewelry
chosen by himself and the bride some
days previous to the wedding.
He sends them their bouquets on the
morning Of the msrriag &c; he also presents
the bride with hers. He has to produ ce
the wedding ring at the moment In the
- .
TO provide the bridal conveyance, whether
carriage or motor car. to convey himsen
and his bride from the church to the re-
ceptioD, II the marriage takes place In
town. In, the country the father OF the
bride usually does this. -,
He pays the fees connected with the
ceremony, the one TO the vicar OF the
church and TO the organist. &c. II q full
choral service takes place the expense
IL usually betrayed by the brides father.
Tho same may be said with regard 70
floral decorations; these also are paid
for by the father, unless by special ar
rangement with the bridegroom,
pair is provided by the bridegroom-fur-
niture. plate, household linen, DC. The
part relatives take in this is quite optional
and is not to be counted upon, the custom
In England being for the bridegroom to
provide all the household neoessaries here
mentioned. :,
also decides upon the style and colors OF
their dresses, but her parents are not
expected to defray the expense OF the
same, in each case 1t is borne by the mother
of each bridesmaid.
The head bridesmaid takes charge OF
the brides bouquet and gloves during
the ceremony. She follows next TO tho
bride in the procession up the nave II
there are no children or pages to precede
her She usually walks with one OF the
bridegroom's relatives who is one OF the
bridesmaids.
1t depends upon the numbers how the
procession is formed. but tiny brides
maids and little pages always 90 before
the older bridesmaids. The bridesmaids
frequently distribute the wedding favors
in the church. The head bridesmaid signs
the register as a rule, but the others are
not asked to do this.
On leaving the vestry the bridesmaids
follow the bride and bridegroom down
viously walked. At the reception there
il no ceremony observed as regards
going in to luncheon or tea or grouping
around the bride. The bridesmaids do
not surround the bride when she shakes
hands with the guests on their arrival,
but gather together in the hall on her
departure 10 bid her farewell.
Not unfrequcntly the choir and clergy
precede the bridal procession from the
entrance OF the church TO the chapoel.
the choir meanwhile singing an appro-
pirate hymn chosen by the bride. They
head the procession Immediately before
her arrival. The bride, on her fathers
arm, follows next to the clergy. then fol-
low the bridesmaids.
The brides mother arrives at the church
slightly before the hour fixed for the
ceremony. She either takes her seat
at once in one of the front pews or chairs
allotted TO the friends Of the bride on the
left hand side or she awaits the brides
arrival with the bridesmaids and follows
next TO them in the procession, a rela-
tive walking by her side,
She stands at the left hand side OF the
bride during the ceremony, Sometimes
she conducts her daughter up the nave
and gives her away when abe has no male
relative TO perform the Office. She leaves
the church after signing the register
Immediately the bride and bridegroom
have done 30 (sometimes beforel. that she
may be in readiness to receive the guests
at the reception. She shakes hands with
all as their names are announced, but
she is not expected TO do this on their
deDartlire