marseilles, white
shirt with standing collar, and tie of the fashionable cut in pearl gray
or soft white silk. Pearl-colored kid gloves are worn, and a silk hat. The
overcoat is black. A boutonniere of white flowers is usually worn.

[MANNERS AND SOCIAL CUSTOMS 737]

The above is the correct dress for best man and ushers at a day wedding,
in church or at home.

For a formal evening wedding, full evening dress is worn by bridegroom,
best man and ushers. The suit is of fine black worsted, silk faced as to
the coat. The waistcoat may be of the same material, or white duck or
marseilles may be worn. A fine white linen shirt with standing collar, and
pearl or white enamel studs, white lawn tie, white or pearl-gray kid
gloves stitched in the same color, and patent leather pumps complete the
attire. A black overcoat, single breasted, and silk hat are the additions
for out-of-door wear.

The Bride's Mother.--The bride's mother wears a handsome reception dress.
Black with much jet and lace, pearl gray, mauve and lavender are favorite
colors for her. White gloves are worn. Mourning attire should never be
seen at a wedding. If the bride's mother, or any of the family, are in
mourning, it must be laid aside for the occasion. Black may be worn, but
it must be lightened with white lace, jet, or other accessories that will
take it out of the conventional garb of grief. Guests of course gown
themselves handsomely.

THE FORMAL CHURCH WEDDING.

Let us suppose that the church has been decorated with flower and palms,
arranged by experienced hands to form a background for the bridal party.
The seats for the respective families have been roped off with wide white
satin ribbons; those on the right for the bridegroom's family, those of
the left for the bride's. The bridegroom and the best man are with the
clergyman in the vestry; the bridesmaids have assembled at the bride's
house, and have entered their carriages; the relatives, including the
bride's mother, and guests are in their seats. The carriages containing
the bridesmaids precede that of the bride to the church; they alight and
await her in the vestibule. The bride, accompanied by her father, arrives.
The bridal procession is quickly formed, the vestibule doors having been
closed by the ushers on the arrival of the wedding party. At the signal
the organ breaks into the familiar strains of the wedding march; the
clergyman, followed by the groom and best man, enter from the