The Book Of Good Manners; A Guide To Polite Usage For All Social Functions Part 52

This order is usually reversed in the procession down the aisle.

RECALLING INVITATIONS. See Wedding Invitations (Recalled).

RECEPTIONS. See Wedding Receptions.

REHEARSALS. Rehearsals should be held even for a quiet home wedding, and at a sufficiently early date to insure the presence of all who are to partic.i.p.ate.

REPORTERS. See Reporters--Weddings.

RIBBONS. See Ribbons at Church Weddings.

RICE. See Weddings--Throwing of Rice.

RING. This may be dispensed with, save in the Roman Catholic and in the Episcopal Church service. It is usually of plain gold, with initials of bride and groom and date of marriage engraved therein.

It is bought by the groom, who should give it to the best man to be kept till it is called for by the clergyman during the ceremony.

It is worn on the third finger of the bride's left hand.

SECOND MARRIAGES. See Widows--Weddings.

SIGNING THE REGISTER. This is sometimes done by the bride and the groom, and takes place in the vestry, where the best man signs as chief witness and some of the guests as witnesses.

SOUVENIRS. See Souvenirs.

THROWING OF RICE. The throwing of rice is to be discouraged, but if it is to be done, the maid of honor should prepare packages of rice and hand them to the guests, who throw it after the bridal couple as they leave the house for their wedding trip.

TOASTS. Toasts to the bride and groom are customary at the wedding breakfast.

If the groom gives a farewell bachelor dinner, he should propose a toast to the bride.

TROUSSEAU. See Trousseau.

USHERS. See USHERS

WHITE RIBBONS. See RIBBONS.

WIDOWS. See WIDOWS--WEDDINGS.

WOMEN--DRESS. Women wear afternoon or evening dress, as the occasion requires.

See also WIDOWS. GUESTS.

WEDDINGS--GUESTS. WEDDINGS--WIDOWS.

WHITE RIBBONS AT WEDDINGS. See RIBBONS.

WIDOWS.

CARD. During the first year of mourning a widow has no cards, as she makes no formal visits. After the first year, cards with border of any desired depth are used.

Either the husband's name or the widow's baptismal name may be used, but if in the immediate family the husband's name is duplicated, she should use her own name to avoid confusion. When her married son has his father's full name, the widow should add SR. to hers, as the son's wife is ent.i.tled to the name.

MOURNING. A widow should wear c.r.a.pe with a bonnet having a small border of white. The veil should be long and worn over the face for three months, after which a shorter veil may be worn for a year, and then the face may be exposed. Six months later white and lilac may be used, and colors resumed after two years.

STATIONERY, MOURNING. A widow's stationery should be heavily bordered, and is continued as long as she is in deep mourning. This is gradually decreased, in accordance with her change of mourning.

All embossing or stamping should be done in black.

WEDDINGS. Widows should avoid anything distinctively white, even in flowers--especially white orange blossoms and white veil, these two being distinctively indicative of the first wedding. If she wishes, she can have bridesmaids and ushers. Her wedding-cards should show her maiden name as part of her full name.

WIDOWERS--STATIONERY, MOURNING. The width of black on his stationery should be reduced as the interval is diminished.

All stamping should be in black.

WIFE--CARDS. Only the wife of the oldest member of the oldest branch may use her husband's name without the initials.

WIFE AND HUSBAND--CARDS, VISITING. When the wife is calling, she can leave cards of the husband and sons if it is impossible for them to do so themselves.

After an entertainment cards of the family can be left for the host and hostess by either the wife or any of the daughters.

WIFE OF BARONET--HOW ADDRESSED. An official letter begins: Madam, and ends: I have the honor to remain your Ladys.h.i.+p's most obedient servant.

A social letter begins: Dear Lady Wilson, and ends: Believe me, Lady Wilson, sincerely yours,

The address on the envelope is: To Lady Wilson.

WIFE OF A KNIGHT--HOW ADDRESSED. An official letter begins: Madam, and ends: I have the honor to remain your Ladys.h.i.+p's most obedient servant.

A social letter begins: Dear Lady Wilson, and ends: Believe me, Lady Wilson, sincerely yours.

The address on the envelope reads: To Lady Wilson.

WIFE OF YOUNGER SON OF BARON--HOW ADDRESSED.

An official letter begins: Madam, and ends: I have the honor to remain, madam, your obedient servant.

A social letter begins: Dear Mrs. Wilson, and ends: Sincerely yours.

The address on the envelope is: To the Honorable Mrs. Wilson.