PROMINENT POINTS OF WEDDING ETIQUETTE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 520, 29 May 1909, Page 11

PROMINENT POINTS OF WEDDING ETIQUETTE.

(By "An Fait,",in "The Queea.") : Bridal etiqnette is a eubject of general interest to our readers, and therefore wo propose to give a few details concerning it, which we hope will be of service to them. To commence with invitations. The notice given varies somewhat, according to the importance of the function—that is to say, whether it is to.be a smart, wedding or a quiet one, one to which many guests aro bidden or one to which they consist for the most part of relatives,, and to which the term quiet wedding.might be justly applied. In tho first instance, the regulation notice is from three weeks to a fortnight; in the second, a fortnight or 'even less is not unusual. ■~... i ;'■ The invitations to smart weddings are issued in notes printed in ink, not in silver, while to quiet ones written notes often take the place of printed ones. ■; The form of the invitation is as follows: "Mr. and Mrs. A request the pleasure of Mr. and Mrs. B 's company at the marriage of their daughter Blanche with Mr. Cecjl °— z> at St Mar ?'s Church,. Heathfield, on Wednesday, February 7, at 2.30 and afterwards at the Cedare.' R.S.V.P." Occasionally guests are merely asked to witness the ceremony at the church in the event of a quiet wedding being intended, in which case "no reception" is put upon the invitations, which means" that friends and acquaintances are only expected to attend at the church, but relatives will meet: at the house subsequently. -•- ,■ ■ There are various reason's for a wedding being a quiet one,apart from bereavement. The _ surroundings may not admit of a re. ception being-given, or the and bridegroom may desire to be married very quietly' and to leave for the honeymoon immediately' after tho ceremony. Wehavo been frequently aeked whether a choral service should be held at this style of wedding,, arid whether floral decorations j in the church aro in.good taste under the circumstances. The answer , to both these questions is in the affirmative, always supposing that the wedding docs not follow close upon a bereavemeut, in which caso flowers and music would bo rather out of place. _ Again, it is optional whether'the bride is attended by bridesmaids or not. At ■many quiet weddings they are dispensed with, and pages also, more especially-when the bride wears travelling dress and the bridegroom 'a travelling suit. Some brides wear white on these occasions, but it is white cloth or.- some similar material, and not what is known as bridal attire with its accompanying court train/ Whether the bride wears white; or grey, a .toquo takes the place of a veil, and she invariably carries a sheaf of lilies in lieu of a bouquet, while i'some- , times she carries ■ a prayer-hook and not. the before-mentioned flowers. It is very rarely that bridal. attire Jβ worn by a bride when no reception.: is to.follow the ceremony. There are, of-course, exceptions to this, but the,received rule is not to do so. A\ best man is -considered indispensable even at the quietest of weddings. The bridegroom's greatest, friend, whether he be a married man or a widower or a bachelor, is called upon to fulfil this office. He accompanies him to the : church, and stands with him at the chancel gates to await the oom-

ing of the bride. He takes charge of his hat and gloves during the ceremony, he signs the register at its conclusion, ho assists the bride and bridegroom'in getting away from the church, &M often accompanies them to the railway station to 6ee them off. ; He return's thanks for , the bridesmaids, if their health is proposed, in a few concise words, although he is no'b often required to do this, as tbe timo-honoured custom of paying this compliment to the bridesmaids has, fallen into disuse, save in the family oircle and at strictly;;'family gatherings. ; NEW ZEALAND'S GRACE DARLING. A LETTER BY THE PRIME MINISTER. The following ie an extract from a letter sent by' the Prime Minister to Heuri Matenga, the husband of New Zealand's Grace. Darling:— ; , /.. . ' '. "By the decease of Huria Matenga, there is removed from our midst one whose, memory will.ever be cherished in the hearts of all 'New Zealandors for the conspicuous bravery she displayed in combating the elements and rescuing those in imminent peril that wild, stormy night, half a century agC and for the kindly and hospitable nature she exhibited to pakeha and Maori alike during her long life; -I mourn her departure, and extend to you aU my sincerest sympathy in your hour of sorrow." " . - In replying. to Sir Joseph Ward, Houri Matonga, of Wnkapuaka, wrote ae follows:— "I hasten to thank you for tho sympathy expressed for myself, in this, my sad bereavement, and for your generous reference to. the conspicuous bravery of my late wife, during that stormy night, some'half a cenago, and to assure you of my deepest appreciation of your' considerate condolenco in this, my hour of sorrow." Lasting, wholesome, healthy,' or faded hair and wrinkled skin. Two questions are.open to you—which do you ohoose? Consult Miss Milsom,. King's Chambers; Wellington, on Natural Beauty, 'how to gain and. retain it. Lot hor diagnose,- direct, and teaoh you the proper preparations necessary, and how to uso them to keopyou fresh and naturally beautiful. Hor Hair Foods or Lubricants for Dry or Greasy Hairaro famons. Shampoo Mixture, Hair Tonics,'and Hair Cream, tho best for falling; lifeless hair. , All patients taught their own treatment,in a scientific, method which is the only-.wax - to defy and defeat oldnjo. Conjultation £too, TclopkouQ ail ClUi

WOMEN AND GEWGAWS. : : '■.'. BY AN ONLOOKER. It was a fancy of mine yesterday to be possessed of a burning desiroto .seo something of The Economic's great sale now on Ido /lot love sales—yet lam a woman, and am inclined to the worship of beautiful things, but the excited, surging throngs who sway.backw.ardu and forwards, this way and that; eager to appropriate a fancy bauble at a temptingly low hguro, affect me peculiaTly.. It may be;because of an. inherent distaste to push and scramble. Nevertheless, I wended my way Economicwards, and neared the dbore just as the town clock struck ten. ,"'■ '•■ "■' ■'■ .',-.'■' :' .'' .'■. . ■ ■ There was a vivacious, laughing crowd gathered together, awaiting, apparently, the opening of the doors to sUow them-in turn to join the happy fray within. ; I became suddenly independent, and was fired by a feverish spirit to do my towards the bargain inspection, even though I should not buy/.. , ■ A round, merry-eyed woman with two encumbrances clinging to her.ekirts-. did hor duty towards possessing herself of a remnant of Boft, snimmering satin for a blouse, at.thecost of a.shilling or two,'and snatched good-humouredly; from the petite, demurelooliing maiden opposite, the rqbo length of soft fabric for her winter dress.' ; I am now of the opinion that it is well to be of much avoirdupois; weight:tells in most everything I' ;, . ' ' ' ■• At the lace and ribbon counter maids and women'-vied with .each other for ttiq possession of trifles cf dainty and elaborate designs in lace and net. Lace at a few pence per yard!. Ribbons, : delicately _ coloured, shimmering, and defying criticism, ■ surroundedv'ono, and again, a fow pence would purchase. ' ' >j ''' A knot of noisy girls were buying up all the remnants possible in net and laco for evening blouses and scarves. Veils; • fancy handkerchiefs, novelties for the dainty''''woman, and fal-lals " galore stretched .out their < irresistible Attractions in almost unpardonable-boldness. ■• . : .'.. ,Jladamb.j3! ihfle,ed "fbrtlihate! ; ..Her needs and whims'are:to bo appeased, sumptuously hero. '.'. And to-day. (Saturday), so business rumour hath it, is, the prirx: day of all salo days! .■ •' , • '. • . ' : . The,trim, chic serge skirts in cream are positively enticing at 215., whilst costumes of every description are marked so low that oven tlio poorest of us are able to , bedeck ourselves finely and ivfell. I was amazed "at the eagerness of my neighbours! How they fingered and talked! How, the■ clatter and commotion seemed to intoxicate them! , ' Yes, I am glad I' was a bargainhunter; it was a now sensation, and I am the richer by,many shillings! v Down amongst furs excitement reigned supreme. They are splendid,,these indispensable articles of .woman's winter toilette, and the/prices are away down'to ghastly low figures.' 1 - . /■■... .■■■■',.'■.■' •Feather boas of se'f and many colours beckoned ono! They aro so soft, so crushable,: that one longe instinctively to fondle and finger them. How beauty tells always!' I came away very contented. After all, it is satisfying and soothing to have a pretty, garment or some delightfully delicate trifle for tho adornment of oneself-at moderate cost, but perhapswhat ismost important of all, my husband has viewed, my purchases and declared them bargains worth tho tussle of possession. . . '. • ■ .- I'have dim fancies of returning to-day and increasing them! There is a room too, .my special sanctum, which I have long and silently desired to freshen and refurnish. ; I saw. during my pereyrina-tions . yesterday charming sateens and dretonnes ad comfortable, sleepy-looking chairs" and lounges, which' would make my room ia delightful bower! . But'l shall require my next quarter's ■allowance in advance! But • the saving will 'warrant the presumption of the asking,, and after.all my husband may.appreciate\the de-velopment-of my commercial instinct. Bon jonrV. • : \ : ' :r' 8468