OLD NOTIONS CONCERNING BRIDESMAIDS.
(CamlVs Magazine.) Instead of being so many graceful ornaments at the marriage ceremony, as nowadays, the bridesmaids m olden times had various duties assigned to them. Thus one of their principal tasks was dressing the bride on her wedding morning, when any omission to her toilet was laid to their charge. At a wedding, too, where it was. arranged that the bride should be followed by a numerous train of her lady friends, it was the first bridesmaid's duty to play the part of a drill-mis-tress, " sizing " them so that no pair m the procession was followed by a taller couple; She was alao expected to see that each bridesmaid was not only duly provided with a sprig of rosemary, or a floral posy pinned to the breastfolds of her dress, out had a symbolical chaplot m her hand. In many . parts of Germany it is still customary for the : bridesmaids to bring the myrtle wreath which they have subscribed together to purchase on the nuptial eve to the house of the bride, and to remove it from her head at the close of the wedding-day. After this has been done, the bride is blindfolded and the myrtle wreath being put into her hand, she tries to place it on the head of one of her bridesmaids as they dance round her ; for m accordance with an old belief, whoever she crowns is sure to be married within a year from that date. As; may be imagined, this ceremony is the source of no small excitement, each bridesmaid being naturally anxious to follow the example of the bride. Referring once more to the bridal wreath and chaplet, it is still a current notion m many parts of our own country that the bride m removing these must take special care that her bridesmaid* throw away every pin. Not only is it affirmed that misfortune will overtake the bride who retains even one pin used m her marriage' toilet, but woe also to the bridesmaids if they keep any of them, as their prospects of marriage will be materially lessened. " •
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Bibliographic details
Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3252, 27 February 1885, Page 3
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353OLD NOTIONS CONCERNING BRIDESMAIDS. Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3252, 27 February 1885, Page 3
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