The dresses of bridemaids are not so elaborate as that of the bride.  They should also be of white, but may be trimmed with delicately colored flowers and ribbons.  White tulle, worn over pale pink or blue silk and caught up with blush roses or forget-me-nots, with bouquet de corsage and hand bouquet of the same, makes a beautiful costume for the bridemaids.  The latter, may or may not, wear veils, but if they do, they should be shorter than that of the bride.

TRAVELING DRESS OF A BRIDE.

This should be of silk, or any of the fine fabrics for walking dresses; should be of some neutral tint; and bonnet and gloves should match in color.  It may be more elaborately trimmed than an ordinary traveling dress, but if the bride wishes to attract as little attention as possible, she will not make herself conspicuous by a too showy dress.  In private weddings the bride is sometimes married in traveling costume, and the bridal pair at once set out upon their journey.

DRESS AT WEDDING RECEPTIONS.

At wedding receptions in the evening, guests should wear full evening dress.  No one should attend in black or mourning dress, which should give place to grey or lavender.  At a morning reception of the wedded couple, guests should wear the richest street costume with white gloves.

MOURNING.

The people of the United States have settled upon no prescribed periods for the wearing of mourning garments.  Some wear them long after their hearts have ceased to mourn.  Where there is profound grief, no rules are needed, but where the sorrow is not so great, there is need of observance of fixed periods for wearing mourning.

Deep mourning requires the heaviest black of serge, bombazine, lustreless alpaca, delaine, merino or similar heavily clinging material, with collar and cuffs of crape.  Mourning garments should have little or no trimming; no flounces, ruffles or bows are allowable.  If the dress is not made en suite, then a long or square shawl of barege or cashmere with crape border is worn.  The bonnet is of black crape; a hat is inadmissible.  The veil is of crape or barege with heavy border; black gloves and black-bordered handkerchief.  In winter dark furs may be worn with the deepest mourning.  Jewelry is strictly forbidden, and all pins, buckles, etc., must be of jet.  Lustreless alpaca and black silk trimmed with crape may be worn in second mourning, with white collars and cuffs.  The crape veil is laid aside for net or tulle, but the jet jewelry is still retained.  A still less degree of mourning is indicated by black and white, purple and gray, or a combination of these colors.  Crape is still retained in bonnet trimming, and crape flowers may be added.  Light gray, white and black, and light shades of lilac, indicate a slight mourning.  Black lace bonnet, with white or violet flowers, supercedes crape, and jet and gold jewelry is worn.