BRIDAL ETIQUETTE.
In preparing a bridal outfit, it is best to furnish the wardrobe for at
least two years, in under-clothes, and one year in dresses, though the
bonnet and cloak, suitable for the coming season, are all that are
necessary, as the fashions in these articles change so rapidly. If you
are going to travel, have a neat dress and cloak of some plain color,
and a close bonnet and veil. Avoid, as intensely vulgar, any display of
your position as a _bride_, whilst traveling.
Take, first, the weddings at church. In this case none are invited to
the ceremony excepting the family, and the reception is at the house of
the bride's mother, or nearest relative, either on the wedding-day or
upon her return from the bridal tour.
In sending out the invitations, let the card of the bridegroom and that
of the bride be tied together with a white ribbon, and folded in the
note paper upon which is printed the name of the bride's mother, with
the date of the reception-day, thus:--
MRS. JOHN SAUNDERS.
At home, Thursday, Oct. 16th,
from 11 till 2.
No. 218, ---- st.
of course the hours and dates vary, but the form is the same.
If there is no bridal reception upon the wedding day, the cards are
worded:--
MR. AND MRS. JAMES SMITH.
At home, Wednesdays,
On, and after, June 6th.
No. 17, ---- st.
Tie the card with the bride's maiden name upon it to this one.
Enclose the invitation in a white envelope, and tie it with white satin
ribbon. If you send cake, have it put in a white box, and place the note
outside the cover, tying it fast with white satin ribbon.
The bride's dress must be of white entirely. If she is married in the
morning, a plain white silk, white mantle, and white bonnet, full
trimmed with orange flowers, with a plain veil, is the most suitable
dress, and she may wear a richer one at her reception, when she returns
from her bridal tour.
As soon as the carriages come, let the bridesmaids, and relatives set
off first.--Last, the bride with her parents. The bride, her parents,
and the bridesmaids go immediately to the vestry, where they meet the
bridegroom, and the groomsmen. The father of the bride gives her his arm
and escorts her to the altar, the bridegroom walking on the other side.
Then follow the bridesmaids and groomsmen in couples.
When they reach the altar the bridegroom removes his right hand glove,
but the bride keeps hers on until the clergyman takes the ring. The
first bridesmaid then removes the left hand glove, and it is not
resumed. The bridesmaids should wear white dresses, white mantles, and
bonnets, but not veils or orange flowers.
The bride and groom leave the church first, after the ceremony is over,
and take the carriage with the parents of the bride, and the others
follow in the order in which they came.
If there is a breakfast or morning reception, the bride will not change
her dress until she retires to put on her traveling attire. If the
wedding takes place in the evening at church, to be followed by a full
dress reception at home, the bride should wear a white lace dress over
satin, or any other material to suit her own taste, a veil, falling from
her head to her feet, fastened to the hair by a coiffure of orange
flowers; white kid gloves, and white satin slippers. A bouquet, if
carried, should contain only white flowers.
The bridesmaids may wear white, or some thin, light-colored material
over white, a head-dress of flowers, and carry bouquets of mixed
flowers.
When the wedding takes place at home, let the company assemble in the
front drawing-room, and close the doors between that and the back room.
In the back room, let the bride, bridegroom, bridesmaids, and groomsmen,
the parents of the bride, and the clergyman, assemble. The clergyman
should stand in the centre of the room, the bride and groom before him,
the bridesmaids ranged beside the bride, the groomsmen beside the
bridegroom. Then open the doors and let the ceremony begin. This
arrangement saves that awkwardness attendant upon entering the room and
taking the position before a large company.
After the ceremony is over, the parents of the bride speak to her first;
then her near relatives, and not until then the other members of the
company.
It is not usual now to have dancing, or even music, at a wedding, and
the hour is named upon the cards, at which the guests are expected to
retire.
A very pretty effect is produced in the wedding group, if the bride
wears pure white, and the bridesmaids white, with flowers and trimmings
of a different color. Thus, one in white, with a head-dress and trimming
of green leaves; another, white, with blue ribbons and forget-me-nots;
another, white, with pink roses and ribbons.
If the wedding is in the morning, the bride and family may wear full
dress; in that case the shutters should be closed and the rooms lighted
as in the evenings.
Let the supper be laid early, and ready when the ceremony is over, that
the guests may pass into the dining-room, if they wish, as soon as they
have spoken to the bride. If a morning wedding, let the table be set as
for an evening wedding.
If the bride gives a reception at her own house, after her return from
her bridal tour, she should not wear her wedding-dress. If in the
evening, a supper should be set. If a morning reception, let her wear a
handsome light silk, collar and sleeves of lace. Wine and cake are
sufficient to hand to each guest at a morning reception. At an evening
reception let the bride wear full dress, but not her wedding-dress.
At parties given to a newly married couple, the bridesmaids and
groomsmen are always invited, and the whole party are expected to wear
the same dresses as at the wedding.