Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-05-07
Good
Form

Though the preparations for form
al wedding usually necessltate much
work, the bride and her family have
reason for thankfulness In that the ar
engagements are all prescribed by ETH
quette. OF course the number OF
bridesmaids and ushers depends en-
tirely upon the wishes of the bride;
but. having chosen them. their duties
and even their manner OF moving and
their places during the ceremony are
definitely defined.
1t is taken for granted that bride
to he has only her most intimate
friends as attendants. but ii is a pretty
compliment to invite n sister OF the
bridegroom, even though the latter
may live In another town and he I'M
known TO the bride. That the effect
shall not be Kaleidoscope when the
attendants are together ii Is custom
for the bride to choose the dresses.
Seldom are these bridal attendants
gowns of more than two colors. Some
times the bride. who always makes
her maids a gift. presents them with
their frocks, including material and
the cost of making. but this Is eX-
pensiye. She has, however. the option
of deciding most positively all the de-
tails of th>ir robes. even though she
may not pay for them. 1t is always
considerate of her to choose such fab
rics and trimmings as shall not be too
expensive for her friends.
The brides parents send carriages
for her attendants. and that there
shall be no confusion 1t is rule that
they shall previously assemble at the
home of the bride and all start for
the church together. II Is not re-
auired that carriages shall he sent TO
bring the girls from their own houses
TO that OF the bride. but when the lat
ter knows that one of her attendants
has not her own carriage or motor 1t
is kindness tc provide one for the
occasion.
The brides mother usually goes to
the church just before the wedding
party. though sometimes the maid OF
honor accompanies her to the door ana
waits In the carriage for the other at
tendants. The bride and her father
leave the house III the same time with
the maids.
This done. the ushers 80 to the door
at the back and. forming in line or
two together. stand awaiting the be-
ginning of the wedding march. which
is not until the bride enters on the
arm of her father or the relative who
is to take her 20 the altar
At the first strains Of music the
ushers start slowly down the aisle to
the chancel and just behind walk the
bridesmaids also in couples. Back OF
them and Just in front of the bride Is
the maid of honor. walking alone.
The bridegroom and his best man
should have already taken their sta
ton Mt the altar steps. awaiting the
arrival of the bridal procession.
The bride and her father go directly
behind the maid of honor. and when
the chanceI is reached the usherS turn
TO the right side and the bridesmaids
go TO the left side The maid of honor
advances before them. 1t is she who
holds the brides bouquet and after
the ceremony lifts the veil from the
face of the new wife,
As soon as the brides father puts
her hand into that of the clergyman
he steps back into the pew TO join his
wife.
Directly after the ceremony the man
ner of leaving the church Is reversed.
The bride and bridegroom go first
down the aisle. followed Immediately
by the maid Of honor and the best
man. walking together. LASTLY come
the bridesmaids and ushers. each man
then walking beside a girl. After the
brides attendants have been put into
carriages it is customary for the ush-
ers 10 return 10 the church and escort
the family and relatives of the bridal
couple.