CHRISTENING FEES. It is customary to send a
fee to the officiating clergyman, unless he is
a relative or a near friend.
EVENING DRESS. Custom permits a clergyman
to wear his clerical dress at all functions at
which other men wear evening dress; or,
if he wishes, he may also wear the regulation
full dress. The wearing of either is a matter
of taste.
HOW ADDRESSED. All mail and correspondence
should be addressed to Rev. Mr. Smith, but
in conversation a clergyman should be addressed
as Mr. Smith. If he has received the degree of D.D.
(Doctor of Divinity)from some educational institution,
then he is addressed as Dr. Smith, and his mail should
be addressed as Rev. Dr. Smith.
WEDDING CEREMONY. The officiating clergyman (minister or priest)
is selected by the bride, who usually chooses
her family minister, and the latter is then called
upon by the groom with regard to the details. If a
very intimate friend or relative of the groom is a
clergyman, it is in good taste for the bride to ask
him either to officiate or to assist.
If from any cause--as, living outside the State--the
clergyman is unable to legally perform the ceremony,
a magistrate should be present to legalize the ceremony,
and should receive a fee.
CARRIAGE. A carriage should be provided by
the groom to take the clergyman to the
church, then to the reception, and thence to
his house.
FEE. A fee should be paid the clergyman by
the groom through the best man, who should
hand it to him immediately after the ceremony.
If two or three clergymen are present
and assist, the fee of the officiating clergyman
is double that of the others. The clergyman
should receive at least five dollars in gold,
clean bills, or check, in a sealed envelope,
or more, in proportion to the groom's financial
condition and social position.
WEDDING RECEPTION. The clergyman should
always be invited to the reception.