Worth The Extra Expense

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30919, 27 November 1965, Page 2

Worth The Extra Expense

IBy

MARION HARRIS

LONDON.

It is worth all the extra work and expense to have a white wedding, if only for the romantic memories of a wonderful day to look back on in later years.

A white wedding dress does not need to be full length. Short bridal dresses are becoming popular because they are more practical to wear later for dancing or parties. The bride-to-be should also choose her bridesmaids’ dresses, but they should be prepared to pay the cost of their dresses themselves. Invitations to the wedding should be sent out three weeks before the ceremony. Any printers and stationers will show you a specimen giving you the formal wording. The bridegroom’s parents, the best man, and the bridesmaids need not receive invitations, as it is taken for granted that they will attend the wedding; but they may like to have one as a souvenir.

If your mother and your fiance’s mother have never met —and this happens more and more as people move away from home io work or study—then your mother should put in a little note with the wedding invitation to say how much she and your father are looking forward to seeing them and how she thought they would both like a copy of the invitation as a souvenir of the occasion. Bridesmaids’ Duties

The bridesmaids’ duties consist of waiting in the church porch for the bride to arrive and then following her up the aisle in a two-and-two procession. They then stand behind her during the service with the chief bridesmaid on the left of the second bridesmaid so that she is ready to take the bride’s flowers, gloves or prayerbook during the ceremony When the bride needs her hands free when it is time for the ring to be placed on her finger.

The bridesmaids stand throughout the ceremony. They do not follow the bride up to the altar for the second part of the ceremony but they do join her in the

'vestry afterwards as do the best man and the respective parents. The bouquet is returned to the bride in the vestry. The bride’s parents are responsible for all expenses connected with the bride’s trousseau and the reception, including the wine and wedding cake. Also for the flowers at the church, the car that takes the bride and her father to the church, and the phtographer. The bride’s parents should also pay for the organist and for the bells if any are rung. The bridegroom is responsible for all church fees, the licence and the bride’s flowers and those carried by the bridesmaids, also a gift for each bridesmaid. He also buys the wedding ring and pays for the car to take himself and his bride from the church to the reception. He also pays for the buttonholes worn by himself and the best man and usually gives the best man a small memento. Bride’s Mother The' bride may be the most important person on her wedding day but not far behind her comes the bride’s mother. It is on her shoulders that the burden of organising everything falls. Even so she is expected to look elegant and charming on the day itself and to present a smiling welcome to guests and wave farewell to her daughter with never a hair out of place. For her outfit the bride’s mother should choose an outfit that is both elegant and practical and an eye-catching hat. She should enter the church a little before the bride, accompanied by a son or some young male relative. The bride should arrive with her father, or whoever is going to give her away, and should find the bridesmaids waiting either in the porch or just inside the church door. The bridegroom will be waiting at the chancel steps with his best man. The bride walks up the aisle on the right of her father which will bring her to the left side of her bridegroom. When she comes down the aisle after the ceremony she takes her new husband’s left arm and the attendants walk in twos behind. The bride’s mother heads the procession of relatives following the bridal retinue down the aisle, on the arm of the bridegroom’s father. The bride’s father follows with the bridegroom’s mother. The other members of the two families follow in the procession. The best man, who is responsible for paying all fees on behalf of the bridegroom and keeping charge of the ring until it is required

during the ceremony, hurries ahead down the aisle before the procession in order to be at the church door to give the bridegroom his hat and to see that the bridal car is in readiness. Reception At the reception, when the bridesmaids’ health is drunk, the best man replies on their behalf. He also reads out any congratulatory telegrams and finally sees that all the luggage is loaded and nothing forgotten when the young couple are ready to leave on their honeymoon. Planning all the details for your wedding and honeymoon will take up a great deal of time but do not completely ignore plans for afterwards.

When you return to your new home—which must be chosen and furnished well in advance of your wedding day —make sure that you have laid in provisions and fuel to last you over the first few days at home and until you can organise a routine of work, housekeeping and shopping.