FRENCH BRIDAL CUSTOMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 141, 17 June 1931, Page 2

FRENCH BRIDAL CUSTOMS

INSISTENCE UPON DOWRIES Manage in France is a family affair, tot to be entered into except after the most serious discussion on both sides. If a young Englishman, wishing to marry an English girl, were first to inquire from her father what dowry she 30uld bring him, he would probably be severely snubbed, and regarded as an ‘outsider,” states a writer in an overseas paper. But no Frenchman contemplates marriage without knowledge of what money his bride is likely to possess, and every Frenchman with a marriageable daughter is prepared to endow her with as much as he is able to afford—a sum probably saved since her babyhood and known as her “dot.” In spite of all this, the whole busi-| ness is accomplished with so much tact that the people most concerned are frequently led to believe that they have “fallen in love.” For, in France, as in Spain and Italy, matchmaking is a fine art! “Undesirables” arc shut out from the home of the young girl who has just left school, and she is kept under constant and careful supervision. But a desirable youth, who has finished both his education and his military service, will be thrown into her company before| very long. There are dances in the winter, tennis and garden parties in the summer—all under strict parental eyes

—which give the young folk a chance to make each other’s better acquaintance. There is no word in France bearing the same meaning as our word “courtship” because the thing itself docs not exist. Even after all the preliminaries are settled and the young couple are “affianced,” no French girl is allowed ’to go motoring, boating, dancing, or even on a short train journey, alone with her future husband. Stolen tctc-a-tetes, even stolen kisses, there max be occasionally, but only under the 1 half-shut eyes of parent or guardian, j The portionless bride is quite unknown. Even in hard-working circles, a girl brings to her husband a little dowry of her own earning and saving. There are no long engagements in France, either. When a young man is in a position to marry, he seeks a wife. Not before. And the wedding quickly follows the betrothal. The church ceremony is a very expensive affair, and weddings—as well as funerals —arc charged according to style and “class.” Those of the first and second-class entitle the bridal party to enter by the front door of the church, to carpets laid down from the porch to the altar, and to music. Wedding parties of the third class go in by a side-entrance, and music and carpets arc lacking. Even then, the charges are far greater than in England. If I were a French bride-to-be, 1 should beg for a “first-class” wedding! It must be wonderful to have the big church doors thrown open, after the Beadle (dressed in plush breeches, silk stockings, an embroidered coat, a red 1 sash ami a cocked hat) has knocked three times with his staff; to hear the ’ “Wedding March” peel forth from the great organ; and to reach the altar pre- ’ ceded by that gorgeous Beadle! After the ceremony comes a most interesting custom —the collection for the poor. The chief bridesmaid looks forward to this pleasant duty. She is now the . centre of interest, and everyone show:- . great curiosity as to the manner, the grace, and the charm with which she ] carries out her important part. Giv

r mg her left hand to the best man ; (who wears a dress coat, white waist- . coat and white gloves) she steps forward, carrying a velvet bag. Thus the j couple make the round of the church. v acknowledging all donations with polite , bows and engaging smiles. , Bridge Evening The Lady Jellicoe Club card circle held their weekly bridge party in the club rooms last, evening, when a large number of tables were in play. Among the many present were: —Mrs H. V. Hammond, Airs Kitchen, Airs F. Lomas, Mrs Jarvie, Mrs C. W. Horne, Airs H. ‘ Paul, Airs G. Harper, Mrs Gibson, Airs ■ Collins, Mrs Alercwethcr, Airs C. Pat--1 erson, Airs R. Brown, Mrs Cullen, Airs c Bly th. Mrs 11. G. Swan, Airs McLean. I Mrs F. E. Everett, Airs Worry, Mrs ri Oldham, Airs Dawson, Airs Bignell, Mrs 1 ,T. Russell. Airs Oldakcr, Airs AVillis, Airs Mackintosh, Airs F. P. Tai boys, 0 Mrs Dorum, Mrs Gardner, Airs Tosswill, Airs A. A. Barton, Miss Jardine, Misses Quin (2), Miss Shaw, Alisses e Afurray (2), Aliss Cowan, Aliss Par- ' sons, Miss Pcngolly, Aliss McKirdy. -■ Miss Joyce, Miss E.' Al array. Aliss Dnn- '■ can. Miss Norman, Aliss Glenn, Miss p McNab.