Weddings are everywhere accompanied with some degree of ceremony, and are usually considered as occasions of festivities

2901. The preliminaries having; been arranged by the contracting parties, and the lady having named the happy day, preparations are made for the wedding. These who belong to the Episcopal and Roman Catholic churches are usually married at church, in the morning, and by the prescribed forms.

2902. In some cases there is a wedding-party given in the evening; in others, the happy couple make a short wedding tour, and issue cards of invitation on their return. (See 2916.)

2903. Among other denominations, the parties are married by a clergyman or magistrate; and in the State of New York, marriage being considered by the law only a civil contract, it may be witnessed by any person.

2904. Where a wedding is celebrated in the usual forms, cards of invitation are issued, at least a week beforehand. The hour selected is usually eight o'clock, P. M. Wedding cake, wines, and other refreshments, are provided by the bride and her friends for the occasion. The bride is usually dressed in pure white - she wears a white veil, and her head is crowned with a wreath of white flowers, usually artificial; and orange-blossoms are preferred. She should wear no ornaments but such as her intended husband or her father may present her for the occasion - certainly no gift, if any such were retained of any former sweetheart.

2905. The bridemaid or bridesmaids, if there be two, are generally younger than the bride, and should also be dressed in white, but more simply. The bridegroom must be in full dress - that is, ho must wear a dress coat, which if he pleases, may be faced with white satin; a white satin vest, black pantaloons, and dress boots or pumps, black silk stockings, and white kid gloves, and a wlrte cravat. The bridegroom is attended by one or two groomsmen, who should be dressed in a similar manner.

2906. It is the duty of the bride-maids to assist in dressing the bride, and making the necessary preparations for the entertainment of the guests. The chief groomsman engages the clergyman or magistrate, and upon his arrival, introduces him to the bride and bridegroom, and the friends of the parties.

2907. The invited guests, upon their arrival, are received as at other parties, and after visiting the dressing-rooms, and arranging their toilets, they proceed to the room where the ceremony is to be performed. In some cases the marriage is performed before the arrival of the guests.

2908. When the hour for the ceremony has arrived, and all things are ready, the wedding-party, consisting of the happy couple, with the bridesmaids and groomsmen, walk into the room arm in arm; the groomsmen each at tending the bridesmaids, preceding the bride and bridegroom, and take their position at the head of the room, which is usually the end farthest from the entrance; the bride standing facing the assembly on the right of the bridegroom - the bridesmaids taking their position at her right, and the groomsmen at the left of the bridegroom .

2909. The principal groomsman now formally introduces the clergyman or magistrate to the bride and bridegroom, and he proceeds to perform the marriage ceremony: if a ring is to be used, the bridegroom procures a plain gold one, previously taking some means to have it of the proper size. (See 453.)

2910. As soon as the ceremony is over, and the bridegroom has kissed the bride, the clergyman or magistrate shakes hands with the bride, saluting her by her newly-acquired name, as Mrs. - , and wishes them joy prosperity, and happiness: the groomsmen and bridesmaids then do the same, and then the principal groomsmen brings to them the other persons in the room, commencing with the parents and relatives of the parties, the bride's relatives having precedence, and ladies being accompanied by gentlemen. In this manner all present are expected to make their salutations and congratulations, first to the newly-married couple, and then to their parents and friends. And where the wedding ceremony has been performed before the arrival of the guests, they are received near the door, having, of course, first visited the dressing-rooms, and are introduced in the same manner. The groomsman takes occasion, before the clergyman or magistrate leaves, to privately thank him for his attendance, at the same time placing in his hand the marriage fee, which is wrapped up nicely in paper, and if more than the legal sum, as is frequently the case where the parties are wealthy, it is usually in gold. The bridegroom, of course, takes an early opportunity to reimburse his groomsman for necessary expenses.

2911. When the presentations and congratulations are over, that is, when the guests have arrived, the bridal party, which till now has kept its position, mingles with the rest of the company, and joins in the dancing or other amusements.