who
is to "give away" the bride, on the left.

1946. The Chief Bridesmaid.

The Chief Bridesmaid occupies a place immediately behind the _bride_,
to hold her gloves and handkerchief, and flowers; her _companions_
range themselves close to, and slightly in the rear of the principal
bridesmaid. If any difficulties occur from forgetfulness, or want of
knowledge, the woman who is usually in attendance at the church can
set everything right.

1947. Important Details.

Remember to take the License and the Ring with you.--The fee to a
clergyman is according to the rank and fortune of the bridegroom; the
clerk if there be one, expects _five shillings_, and a trifle should
be given to the pew opener, and other officials of the church. There
is a fixed scale of fees at every church, to which the parties married
can add if they please.

1948. Afterwards.

When the Ceremony is concluded, _the bride, taking the bridegroom's
arm, goes into the vestry, the others following_; signatures are then
affixed, and a registration made, after which the married pair enter
their carriage, and proceed to the breakfast, everyone else following.

1949. The Order of Return.

The order of return from Church differs from the above only in the
fact that the bride and bridegroom now ride together in the first
carriage, the bride being on his left. The bridesmaids and other
guests find their way home in the remaining carriages, but to prevent
confusion some preconcerted arrangement is desirable.

1950. The Wedding Breakfast.

The Wedding Breakfast having been already prepared, the wedding party
return thereto. If a large party, the bride and bridegroom occupy
seats in the centre of the long table, and the two extremities should
be presided over by the father and mother of the bride, or, failing
these, by elderly relatives, if possible one from each family.
Everyone should endeavour to make the occasion as happy as possible.
One of the senior members of either the bride or bridegroom's family
should, sometime before the breakfast has terminated, rise, and in a
brief but graceful manner, propose the "Health and happiness of the
wedded pair." It is much better to drink their healths together than
separately; and, after a brief interval, the bridegroom should return
thanks, which he may do without hesitation, since no one looks for a
speech upon such an occasion. A f