Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/65

 47 MARRIAOK they are sure to come in almost immediately after in fuller numbers. The bride is then kept busy writing notes of thanks. This is a duty she may not dele- gate to anyone and the letters should be written by return of post, if possible. It has become very usual for several friends or relatives to join in giving a present. This is much to be encouraged, for it results in a handsome, useful, or highly ornamental gift instead of a number of small and possibly insignificant ones. The presents have usually the card of the donor attached bearing the appropriate good wishes. This must be preserved with care and be placed in a prominent position when the wedding gifts are shown, either on the day of the marriage or immediately before it. When the wedding reception is held at an hotel or in a hired gallery, there are diffi- culties in the way of displaying the presents. In this case it has been found a good plan to have a full list of them and the donors printed on a very large card which stands on an easel in the reception room. More '.han one of these cards is necessary when the party is a large one. Presents for the bridegroom are sent to his own address, but are afterwards removed to the bride's address and shown with hers on the day arranged. Great taste is shown some- times in the disposal of the gifts — smilax and flowers in pretty vases are placed among them. Occasionally one sees a very tasteless arrangement, but it is not at all an easy matter to make such a number of objects of different sizes and shapes look really well. It is now customary for the bride to give a marriage present to the bridegroom. Among gifts of the kind have been a saddle, a dressing-bag or dressing-case, her own portrait, a set of waistcoat buttons, a dog-cart, harness, a ring with his crest engraved upon it, a gold or silver cigar or cigarette case, match-box, or despatch box, pocket-book, writing set, inkstand, etc. THE BRIDESMAIDS Bridesmaids may range in number from one to sixteen. The bride asks a chosen number of her girl friends to act in this capacity. It is a usual, but not invariable, custom to have one's own sisters. Those of the bridegroom, if of suitable age, must cer- tainly be asked. Sometimes it is a little awkward, when these ladies are between the ages, to know whether they expect to be asked to be bridesmaids or not. The bride generally chooses the dresses of the bridesmaids, though not always. Each girl pays for her own. The bridegroom gives a present to each and the bride gives one to her page or pages. THE WEDDING DAY The bride's father pays for the wedding carriages, the bridegroom paying for the one in which he goes to the church and also for the one in which he and his bride go away together after the reception. The bridesmaids as.semble within the church door and await the bride. She drives there with her father or the relative who gives her away in his place. Her mother should arrive a few moments before them. It is usual for the bride's family and friends to sit on the left of the aisle, the bridegroom's on the right. Young men of both families show the guests to their places. The bridegroom with the best man await the bride at the altar. She stands at his left during the ceremony. This is indicative of her subjection to her husband. As a matter of fact, very few brides know this or they might feel unwilling to fall in with the time- honoured custom. The best man stands on the bridegroom's right, rather behind him, and the bride's father occupies a similar position with regard to her, but on her left. Should she be carry- ing a bouquet, she hands it to her chief bridesmaid after the opening sentences of the service and removes the glove from her left hand. The best man has the ring ready at the proper moment and hands it to the bride- groom. IN THE VESTRY It is usual for the host and hostess to invite a few of the principal guests to go into the vestry and perhaps to sign the register. The newly - married pair receive many con- gratulations during this necessary business. When it is over they are the first to leave the church even when Royalty is among those present. Should any Royal person be in the church they leave it after the bride and bridegroom. The immediate relatives walk down the aisle in the following order : the bride's mother with the bridegroom's father ; the bridegroom's mother with the bride's father. The bride's mother is always the first to leave because she is hostess and wishes to get home quickly to receive her guests. The house is decorated with white flowers on such occasions, and sometimes the happy couple stand under a bell of flowers or under a floral archway to receive the congratulations of their friends. These go immediately to the bride and bridegroom, express their good wishes, and then pass on to leave room for others. Meanwhile, the hostess attends to her guests and the host escorts to the refresh- ment buffet the principal ladies who are present. The bride comes downstairs to cut the cake and soon after disappears to change her wedding gown for her travelling dress. The bridegroom also changes and they make the descent of the stairs, running the gauntlet of confetti or rose-leaves. These have taken the place of the rice that used to be thrown. The throwing of an old shoe for luck is an ancient usage. It is now a white satin shpper, which acts as a tell-tale when it lodges in some portion of the brougham or motor-car. To be contimted in Part 2 of Every Woman's En'cyclop^dia.