WEDDING.
BREAKFAST. See Wedding Reception or Breakfast.
CAKE. At the conclusion of the wedding break- fast the cake is placed before the bride, who first cuts a piece, and then it is passed to the others. More often it is put up in small white boxes and given to the guests, or the boxes containing the cake are placed on a table in the hallway, and the guests each take one on their departure.
DAY. The wedding-day is named by the bride, and her mother's approval is asked by the groom.
It is not customary for the bride to see the groom on the wedding-day till she meets him at the altar.
KISS. The kiss in the ceremony is being done away with, especially at church weddings. Only the bride's parents and her most intimate friends should kiss her, and for others to do so is no longer good form.
RECEPTIONS OR BREAKFASTS. The married couple, on arriving at the house of the bride, place themselves in a convenient location, and, assisted by the best man, maid of honor, and the parents of both parties, receive the invited guests. Congratulations are given to the groom and best wishes to the bride.
A reception is more often given than a breakfast, as it allows more invitations and more freedom, and the refreshments are placed on the tables, so that the guests help themselves or are served by the bridesmaids.
The guests wait upon the married couple.
At a breakfast, when the congratulations are over, the breakfast is announced, and the married couple lead the way to the table reserved for them. Parents of both parties, the best man, and the maid of honor are usually placed at this table.
Guests leave a card for the host and hostess and another for the married couple.
Invitations are sent with the wedding invitations, but only to the nearest relatives and friends.
They should be immediately acknowledged, either by letter of acceptance or declination with regret.
TRIP. All details should be arranged before- hand by the best man, who knows the destination, and should keep it an inviolate secret, revealing it only in case of accident.
It is becoming the fashion for the married couple to do away with the trip, and instead to begin their married life in their own home.
VEIL. This should be white. While its length
depends upon the wishes of the bride, the
long veil is more in keeping with the
traditions and customs of the wedding ceremony.
WOMEN-CARDS. When invitations have been
received to the church but not to the
wedding reception, cards should be sent to the
bride's parents and to the bridal couple.