2912. The Bridal Chamber

The festivities should not be kept up too late; and at the hour of retiring, the bride is to be conducted to the bridal chamber by the bridesmaids, who assist her in her night toilet. The bridegroom upon receiving notice will retire, without farther attendance or ceremony.

2913. The practice of kissing the bride is not so common as formerly, and in regard to this, the taste of the bridegroom may be consulted, as the rest of the company follow the example of the groomsman; but the parents and very near relatives of the parties, of course act as affection prompts them.

2914. The chamber frolics, such as the whole company visiting the bride and bridegroom after they are in bed, which was done some years ago, even at the marriage of monarchs, and the custom of throwing the stocking, etc., are almost universally dispensed with.

2915. Wedding Dress

It is impossible to lay down specific rules for dress, as fashions change, and tastes differ. The great art consists in selecting the style of dress the most becoming.

2916. A stout person should adopt a different style from a thin person; a tall one from a short one. Peculiarities of complexion, and form of face and figure, should be duly regarded; and in these matters there is no better course than to call in the aid of any respectable milliner and dressmaker, who will be found ready to give the best advice. The bridegroom should simply appear in full dress, and should avoid everything eccentric and broad in style. The bridesmaids should always be made aware of the bride's dress before they choose their own, which should be determined by a proper harmony with the former. (See 2904.)

2917. When the ceremony is performed according to the Protestant Episcopal service, the order of going to church is as follows: - The Bride, accompanied by her father, not unfre-quently her mother, and uniformly by a bridesmaid, occupies the first carriage. The father hands out the bride, and leads her to the altar, the mother and the bridesmaid following. After them come the other bridesmaids, attended by the groomsmen, if there are more than one.

2918. The Bridegroom occupies the last carriage, with the principal groomsman, an intimate friend or brother. He follows, and stands facing the altar, with the bride at his left hand. The father places himself behind, with the mother, if she attends.

2919. The Chief Bridemaid occupies a place on the left of the bride, to, hold her gloves and handkerchief, and flowers; her companions range them selves on the left.

2920. Remember to take the rise with you. The fee to a clergyman is according to the fortune of the bridegroom; and a trifle should be given to the sexton.

2921. When the ceremony is concluded, the bride takes the groom's arm, they enter their carriage, and proceed to the breakfast, every one else following. (See 3131.)

2922. The Order of Return from Church

The Order of Return from Church differs from the above only in the fact that the bride and bridegroom now ride together, the bride being on his left, and a bridesmaid, and a groomsman, or the father of the bride, occupying the front seats of the carriage.

2923. The Wedding Breakfast having been already prepared, the wedding party return thereto. If a large party, the bride and bridegroom occupy seats in the centre of the long table, and the two extremities should be presided over by elderly relatives, if possible one from each family. Everybody should endeavour to make the occasion as happy as possible. One of the senior members of either the bride or bridegroom's family, should, some time before the breakfast has terminated, rise, and in a brief but graceful manner, propose the "Health and happiness of the wedded pair." It is much better to drink their healths together than separately; and, after a brief interval, the bridegroom should return thanks, which he may do without hesitation, since no one looks for a speech upon such an occasion. A few words, feelingly expressed, are all that is required. The breakfast generally concludes with the departure of the happy pair upon their wedding tour.