FRENCH ENGAGEMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13455, 6 April 1907, Page 5 (Supplement)

FRENCH ENGAGEMENTS.

i:.\i'i:\sks of thk Moi)i:i:x T> I DKCiIIOOM. i-j" Thk up-to-date French marriage." savs I • a writer in the New York Sun. "is a much | less pompous affair than the weddings of |the last century. Ii if- conducted, however, .[along well-defined ceremonial lines, from 5 i whicu nobody who protends to be in the ?lswim dreams of depai I ing. '| "The obligations of the bridegroom bejgin the very day his proposal is accepted. IHe pays his first tribute to his betrothed |jin the 'eorbeille lie tiaiicailles,' or engugvmerit bouquet. This is a great basket of , (pure white blossom;—-lilies of the valley, j 'azaleas, white 'lilac, white loses, and orchids aie in order. The basket in which 11 Ihey are grouped is trimmed with lace. Some enthusiastic wooers spend as much e las 500 dollars on this gift, (ml, according j. ! to a leading Parisian florist, 100 dollars j lis nearer the average. p ! "The floral obligations, however, are _ {continuous. The same florist declares that s jit is obligatory on the engaged man to |send a sheaf of lilies to his sweetheart at •least every second day. She rinds at her j place the' first time she dine? - with his I parents a corssisre bouquet, and on the ucr jcasion of the signing .if the mairiage con'tract tile bridegroom provides one ot white I and pink flowers. On the day of the marriage propei -that is, the religious cere- ' tnoiiv —- lie sends a basket of orange flowers ::arktnded with tulle. , lie bride provides the women, who —in accordance with French custom at events which combine a >' religious and social character —lake up the ■ collection with purses decorated with Ugwjers to match her corsage bouquet. 1 ' (