WEDDING RECEPTIONS
=An Afternoon Wedding= usually takes place between 2 and 2.30 o'clock,
and the "reception" that follows is given from 2.30 to 5, on the return
from the church.
When a wedding is a choral one the choir and clergy frequently head the
bridal procession. This is arranged with the vicar of the church where
the marriage is solemnized.
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=Invitations= to wedding receptions are no longer issued on "at home"
cards, but are included in the invitations to the wedding ceremony
issued in printed notes. (See Chapter XVI.)
The arrangements in the tea-room, and the refreshments given, should be
similar to those provided at large afternoon "at homes," with the
addition of wedding-cake and champagne.
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=Ceremony= is, as far as possible, dispensed with as regards sending the
guests into the tea-room, and this is a great advantage gained over a
wedding luncheon, either a sitting-down or a standing-up one, when
people are doubtful as to the exact place belonging to each individual
relative.
The bride and bridegroom either enter first, followed by the bridesmaids
and a few of the principal guests, or they follow later, as they prefer.
The remainder of the company should make their way downstairs as space
permits, for a wedding reception is a crowded affair, even in the
largest of mansions. Not only is every one invited who has given a
wedding present to either bride or bridegroom, within visiting distance,
but even others who are not intimate enough to be expected to do so.
The guests should not make their way in the first instance to the
tea-room, but should proceed at once to the drawing-room and shake hands
with the host and hostess, and afterwards with the bride and bridegroom.
The bride and bridegroom should stand together within the drawing-room
and shake hands with all those with whom they are acquainted. The bride
and bridegroom should be the first to enter the tea-room. Flowers, as a
matter of course, are a great feature at wedding receptions.
The tea and coffee should be served by the maid-servants, generally by
the lady's maids, but men-servants should also be in attendance to open
the champagne as required. Very little wine is drunk at this hour of the
day. Ladies seldom care for it, and gentlemen avoid it on principle.
Still, out of compliment to the bride, the relatives quaff a cup of
sparkling wine, although her health is seldom proposed or speeches of
any kind made. The bride should put the knife into the wedding-cake, and
the butler should cut it up and hand it to the guests.
Seats should not be placed in the tea-room, and the tables should occupy
the top or side, or both the top and side, of the room, according to the
number of guests invited, so as to leave as much space as possible in
the centre of the room.
The bride and bridegroom are not always present at a wedding tea, as the
departure for the proposed place of honeymoon does not in every case
admit of it, and the mother holds the "at home," and the guests inspect
the presents after the newly-married couple have left.
An "at home" is sometimes given a few days previous to the wedding for
the inspection of the presents, if they are very numerous and beautiful;
but even when this is done they still form a centre of interest on the
afternoon of the wedding to the many guests. When jewellery and plate
to any great extent form a portion of the presents, it is sometimes
thought necessary to have a policeman on duty while the house is open to
so many comers, and when to effect an entrance under the pretext of
business would be an easy matter.