e a room. The
clergyman expects a room where he may don his surplice or gown. The ushers
may also require a room.

The bride's mother receives the guests, her father remaining with his
daughter to conduct her to the room where the ceremony is to be performed.
A mother may perform this office if the father is not living. After
placing his daughter's hand in that of the clergyman, the father steps
back a pace or two, awaiting the end of the service. Wedding music is
played when the party is ready to enter, and may be continued, very
softly, through the ceremony; it must not overpower the voices of the
participants.

Guests should arrive at the hour named, leave wraps in hall or dressing
room, and descend to the parlors. It is not expected that all will be
seated, though a few chairs are provided for the elderly. The ushers
stretch two lengths of white ribbon from end to end of the room, making an
aisle for the little procession.

The clergyman, groom, and best man enter and take their places at one end
of the room, when the music begins. Then come the ushers, next the
maid-of-honor, walking alone; then the bridesmaids, if any, followed by
the bride on the arm of her father. The groom steps forward to receive her
and the two face the clergyman. The best man stands on the bridegroom's
right. The maid-of-honor will hold the bride's bouquet and her glove, if
this is removed; the ring is in the custody of the best man.

Etiquette to be Observed.--At the close of the ceremony the clergyman
congratulates the pair and steps aside. They face about and the bride's
mother is the next to offer her good wishes, then the groom's parents. The
guests then extend felicitations. It is thought in better taste to wish
the bride happiness and congratulate the groom, it being supposed that he
is the most fortunate in having been able to secure such a prize.

It is no longer customary for everyone to kiss the bride; she is not
compelled to suffer to that extent.

The best man assists the ushers--whose first duty is to remove the white
ribbons--in escorting guests to the bride and groom. His duties are the
same as those of the best man at a church wedding.

The maid-of-honor stands at the bride's left as she receives.

The bride and bridegroom lead the way to the dining room, the best man
offering his arm to the maid-of-honor.

The bride's father escorts the bridegroom's mother, the guests follow in
such order as is convenient, and t