TO A BRIDE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 252, 14 January 1928, Page 19

TO A BRIDE

ARRANGING THE GREAT EVENT By JOYCE BURLEIGH The prospect of the first marriage in the family causes a genuine thrill among all its members. It is, however, rather a nerve-racking and difficult haps, looking back on her own homely hps, looking back on her own homely wedding realises how materially social customs have altered. Her emotions are sadly divided betwen joy in her daughters happiness and sorrow at the thought of losing her fledging from the home. If she is a wise woman, and most mothers are, then she will try to banish all personal feelings in the matter, devote herself wholeheartedly to the task of the bridal preparations, and fulfil her part with courage, cheerfulness and courtesy. If we may assume that the house is taken, the bride- attending to the details of her own trousseau and the bridesmaids frocks and hats, then the mother can decide on her outfit. Once upon a time, poor dear, she was restricted to a stiff black silk, the sort of material which stood alone. Now she has a wide choice and silver greys, delicate champagnes, soft nuances of every shade of violet, from the palest heliotrope to the richest and deepest of purples, are all suitable, with a black or coloured hat repeating the tones of the gown. Her bouquet, too, harmonises and is usually the gift of the bridegroom. Issuing Invitations The invitations should be got ready in good time and issued fully three weeks in advance of the date. They consist either of white cards or notepaper printed in silver and severely simple in style, bearing the conventional announcement. The bridegroom, or his best man, undertakes to look after the banns, so the bride’s mother, is free to turn her attention to other arrangements. She is chiefly concerned with the wedding feast, and much depends on the hour of the ceremony what form repast shall take —whether breakfast, luncheon, afternoon tea or supper. Tea is the simplest, no doubt, but a luncheon is the more popular, if it can be managed. Much worry and trouble, to say nothing of the complete rearrange-

ment of the house, is saved by having the reception in an hotel or restaurant, but where economy must be studied, then the principal apartments should be cleared as far as possible, of heavy furniture, so as to provide adequate space. A cold luncheon is fairly easy to achieve. Places at Table The bride and bridegroom naturally occupy the place of honour, the bride sitting a£ his left. On his right is the bride’s mother and the bridegroom’s father, while the bride’s left hand partner is her own father, and next to him, the bridegroom’s mother. In the event of afternoon tea, no such formality is observed. The table serves as a buffet, the maid or maids preside, the bridesmaids and their attendants hand round the tea and cakes, etc., and later on the wedding cake, w]jich the bride has cut with her husband’s assistance, and any favours. Once upon a time, the toast length was almost interminable, but it has been mercifully curtailed. and very often consists merely of the health of the newly-wedded couple proposed by an old friend of the family, or by the bride’s father and responded to, briefly and brightly, by the bridegroom. If the wedding reception is held at home, then it is usual to display the presents, unless they have been previously shown at an At Home, or in the event of the couple settling down in the same neighbourhood, then they will be proudly shown on the wife’s first “day.'* Time To Go The bride steals away as unobtrusively as possible with her bridesmaids to change, and later takes leave with her husband. Formerly their departure was the occasion of a feeling of flatness and finality, very trying to the hostess, but now no sooner has the bridal car departed than the music strikes up, and the young people commence dancing. The older people too join in, or else they settle down to a rubber of whist or bridge. If an evening’s entertainment is not included, then the guests should retire almost immediately, and leave the bride’s mother and family to a little quiet and rest. It is almost as great a mistake to attempt too much as too little, and after the hostess’s emotions have been Btrung up to the higest tension, it is a superhuman task for her to appear "merry and bright” and keep everything going as “merry as a marriage bell,” when woman-like, she desires nothing so much as a little solitude and “a good cry to herself.” An hour or two’s respite, however, and she feels herself again, and quite competent, to carry on.