The Health of the Bride and Bridegroom should then be proposed by the most distinguished guest present, for which the bridegroom should return thanks. He should then propose the health of the bridesmaids, for which the best man should return thanks.
Occasionally the gentleman of highest rank present also proposes this health in place of the bridegroom.
The health of the bride's father and mother should be proposed by the bridegroom's father.
It is now the custom to confine proposing healths at wedding luncheons within the narrowest limits. The health of the bride and bridegroom, and that of the bridesmaids being, in general, the only healths proposed.
At standing-up luncheons and at wedding receptions, the health of the bride and bridegroom only is proposed.
The Bride should leave the Dining-room immediately after the healths have been drunk, to change her dress for departure.
The head bridesmaid should accompany her, if related to her, and the guests should adjourn to the drawing-room to await the bride's reappearance, which should not be long delayed, and the adieus should then be made. Leave-takings should not be prolonged more than is absolutely necessary.
The parents should follow the bride and bridegroom into the hall, and adieus to them should there be made.