THE DAY OF THE WEDDING
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Post, Emily
13. A wedding present to the bride from each member of her family—not counting her trousseau which is merely part of the wedding.
14. The bride gives a "wedding present" or a "wedding" ring or both to the groom, if she especially wants to. (Not necessary nor even customary.)
The Groom's Expenses Are
1. The engagement ring—as handsome as he can possibly afford.
2. A wedding present—jewels if he is able, always something for her personal adornment.
3. His bachelor dinner.
4. The marriage license.
5. A personal gift to his best man and each of his ushers.
6. To each of the above he gives their wedding ties, gloves and boutonnières.
7. The bouquet carried by the bride. In many cities it is said to be the custom for the bride to send boutonnières to the ushers and for the groom to order the bouquets of the bridesmaids. In New York's smart world, the bridesmaids' bouquets are looked upon as part of the decorative arrangement, all of which is in the province of the bride's parents.
8. The wedding ring.
9. The clergyman's fee.
10. From the moment the bride and groom start off on their wedding trip, all the expenditure becomes his.
Wedding Anniversaries
1 year, paper
5 years, wood
10 years, tin
15 years, crystal
20 years, china
25 years, silver
50 years, gold
75 years, diamond
Wedding anniversaries are celebrated in any number of ways. The "party" may be one of two alone or it may be a dance. Most often it is a dinner, and occasionally, an afternoon tea.
In Germany a silver wedding is a very important event and a great celebration is made of it, but in America it is not very good form to ask any but intimate friends and family to an anniversary party—especially as those bidden are supposed to send presents. These need not, however, be of value; in fact the paper, wooden and tin wedding presents are seldom anything but jokes. Crystal is the earliest that is likely to be taken seriously by the gift-bearers. Silver is always serious, and the golden wedding a quite sacred event.
Most usually this last occasion is celebrated by a large family dinner to which all the children and grandchildren are bidden. Or the married couple perhaps choose an afternoon at home and receive their friends and neighbors, who are, of course, supposed to brings presents made of gold.