Bridal Gifts. — Jewels are not comprised in an outfit.
These should be presented by the bridegroom. Still, in fami-
lies where there are family jewels, the daughter may have a
portion set for her, according to the fashion of the day, over
and above what her future husband may offer. Such, however,
are exceptional cases. In less wealthy classes the husband
would offer trinkets according to his means. Besides the lat-
ter, a watch, fan, a smelling bottle, or any elegant article for
the toilet or boudoir table, such as an ornamental candlestick,
a desk of inlaid wood, or a fanciful standish, would be appro-
priate gifts. Any good old lace which the ciders among the
bride's female relations may happen to have amongst their
stores is a most welcome present on such an occasion; but, if
no aunts or other relations volunteer anything of the kind, the
bride's mother should then supply the want, if she can afford it,
or, in default of real lace, that pretty substitute, Irish point.
A dress of black lace, and another of white lace, whether real
or imitation, would likewise be a mioct useful addition to a
ETIQUETTE. 51
trousseau, as well as feathers, ribbons, and any of those
articles that can scarcely go out of fashion, and form an excel-
lent yi?^^^^-^*?-/^//^//^. But if the donors of bridal gifts really
wish to benefit a bride, not in affluent circumstances, we would
suggest that they hold council together, so as not to double
any superfluous article.
Bridesmaids. — A bride may have one or six bridesmaids at
her choice. No particular number being fixed, it is often de-
termined by the number of sisters, or of intimate friends, she
may have. The bridesmaids should be dressed in white, and
all alike, and may wear orange flower bouquets; they should
avoid dressing like brides, which is out of place.
The Ceremony. — The bride uniformly goes to church in
the same carriage with her parents, or with those who stand in
their place; as, for instance, if the father is deceased, an elder
brother or uncle, or even guardian, accompanies her mother
and herself. If unhappily she is an orphan, and has no rela-
tions, a middle-aged lady and gentleman, friends of her pa-
rents, should be requested to take their place. A bridesmaid
will also occupy a seat in the same carriage.
The bridegroom finds his way to church in a separate car-
riage, with his friends, or on foot, as the case may be; and he
will show his gallantry by handing the bride from her car-
riage, and paying every attention to those who accompany her.
Any omission in this respect cannot be too carefully avoided.
When before the altar, the father of the bride, or, in default
of such relation, the nearest connection or some old friend,
gives away the bride. The bridesmaids stand near the bride;
"knd either her sister or some favorite friend will hold the
gloves or handkerchief, as may be required, when she ungloves
her hand for the wedding ring. When the ceremony is com-
pleted, and the names of the bride and bridegroom are signed
in the vestry, they first leave the church together, occupying,
by themselves, the carriage that waits to convey them to the
house of the bride's father, or that of the guardian or friend
by whom the bridal breakfast is given.
Bridal Breakfast. — The wedding cake uniformly occu-
pies the centre of the table, It is often tastefully surrounded
52 ETIQUETTE.
Page 33
Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Bridal Gifts. — Jewels are not comprised in an outfit. These should be presented by the bridegroom. Still, in families where there are family jewels, the daughter may have a portion set for her, according to the fashion of the day, over and above what her future husband may offer. Such, however, are exceptional cases. In less wealthy classes the husband would offer trinkets according to his means. Besides the latter, a watch, fan, a smelling bottle, or any elegant article for the toilet or boudoir table, such as an ornamental candlestick, a desk of inlaid wood, or a fanciful standish, would be appropriate gifts. Any good old lace which the ciders among the bride's female relations may happen to have amongst their stores is a most welcome present on such an occasion; but, if no aunts or other relations volunteer anything of the kind, the bride's mother should then supply the want, if she can afford it, or, in default of real lace, that pretty substitute, Irish point. A dress of black lace, and another of white lace, whether real or imitation, would likewise be a most useful addition to a trousseau, as well as feathers, ribbons, and any of those articles that can scarcely go out of fashion, and form an excellent stock. But if the donors of bridal gifts really wish to benefit a bride, not in affluent circumstances, we would suggest that they hold council together, so as not to double any superfluous article.
Bridesmaids. — A bride may have one or six bridesmaids at her choice. No particular number being fixed, it is often determined by the number of sisters, or of intimate friends, she may have. The bridesmaids should be dressed in white, and all alike, and may wear orange flower bouquets; they should avoid dressing like brides, which is out of place.
The Ceremony. — The bride uniformly goes to church in the same carriage with her parents, or with those who stand in their place; as, for instance, if the father is deceased, an elder brother or uncle, or even guardian, accompanies her mother and herself. If unhappily she is an orphan, and has no relations, a middle-aged lady and gentleman, friends of her parents, should be requested to take their place. A bridesmaid will also occupy a seat in the same carriage.
The bridegroom finds his way to church in a separate carriage, with his friends, or on foot, as the case may be; and he will show his gallantry by handing the bride from her carriage, and paying every attention to those who accompany her. Any omission in this respect cannot be too carefully avoided.
When before the altar, the father of the bride, or, in default of such relation, the nearest connection or some old friend, gives away the bride. The bridesmaids stand near the bride; and either her sister or some favorite friend will hold the gloves or handkerchief, as may be required, when she ungloves her hand for the wedding ring. When the ceremony is completed, and the names of the bride and bridegroom are signed in the vestry, they first leave the church together, occupying, by themselves, the carriage that waits to convey them to the house of the bride's father, or that of the guardian or friend by whom the bridal breakfast is given.
Bridal Breakfast. — The wedding cake uniformly occupies the centre of the table, It is often tastefully surrounded