WEDDING ETIQUETTE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 March 1940, Page 4

WEDDING ETIQUETTE

PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED. DUTIES OF THE BEST MAN AND OTHERS. After the proposal it is usual to get the consent of the bride's father. When this has been obtained the engagement ring should be given and engagement announced. It is the custom to consult the lady regarding the style of ring she would prefer. The engagement ring is worn on the third finger of the left hand, and removed on the wedding day, being replaced with the wedding ring. Afterwards the engagement ring is generally worn on top of the wedding ring. Both parties of a marriage must have attained the age of 21 years, otherwise the consent of parents or legal guardian must be obtained. The registrar supplies a special consent form for this. Marriage by Banns. If the marriage is contracted in a church that publishes banns, the banns must be announced three consecutive Sundays before the wedding takes place, in each parish in which the parties reside. There is no fee for this. If solemnised in a private residence an ordinary license is required. Obligations to Church. The officiating minister must be interviewed to arrange for his part of the wedding, as soon as the date has been fixed. (The bride has the privilege of fixing the date). There is no fixed fee for the services of the minister. The bridegroom donates what his generosity suggests in appreciation. This is usualy placed in an envelope' worded “With Compliments,” and laid on the table after signing of the register or handed to the minister by the best man. This is-generally equivalent to the fee charged by the registrar of marriage, viz., £2 5s or something thereabouts. Best Man’s Duties. The best man is generally the bachelor brother or best friend of the bridegroom, although it is quite in order if he should be married. His duties are numerous. He has to be attentive tc the bridegroom and to see that everything goes off as planned. He takes charge of the ring and has it ready to hand to the minister when asked for it. His duty is to see the cars are in their right order and ready to receive the bride and bridegroom immediately on leaving the church. Therefore, he should leave the vestry directly the register has been signed. All telegrams received at the reception are placed before the bride for her to open and show to the bridegroom. These are then read out by the best man. Other duties are engaging necessary cars, paying church fees, booking passages, checking luggage and settling all accounts on bridegroom’s behalf. At

the wedding breakfast he must keep things bright, give speeches, propose speeches, etc. His reward is having the chief bridesmaid in his special care. He must endeavour to cover up any evidence of nervousness or embarrassment among any of the party. The bridesmaids are usually the closest friends of the bride —her sister 01 bridegroom's sister. In the event oi there being two bridesmaids there should be a groomsman as well as best man. His duty would be to assist the best man and escort the maids from the church. It is usual to have a corresponding number of maids as groomsmen. A feature in vogue now is the ungloved bride. This is popular as it eliminates the nervousness and frequent delay in removing the glove. The Bridegroom. For a fashionable wedding: Black morning coat, dove grey vest, striped worsted trousers, silk hat, grey tie and gloves, with buttonhole. For a quiet wedding: Dark lounge suit, bowler hat, lavender tie, buttonhole, gloves optional. An evening wedding calls for dress suit and white bow gloves optional. Never wear a black tie or bow.