Guests in personal conversation with the
       latter give best wishes to the bride and
       congratulations to the groom.

Church.  See best man—­church.  Bride—­church. 
Bridesmaids—­church.  Groom—­church.  Ushers-church.

Dances.  It is not usual to have dances after the
wedding.

Departure of married couple.  See weddings—­married
couple.

Dress.  See best man—­dress.  Bride—­dress. 
Groom-dress.  Weddings-guests-dress,
etc.

Expenses.  All the expenses are borne by the
bride’s family, except the fees for the license,
clergyman, organist, and sexton.  The wedding-ring,
the carriages for the groom, ushers,
best man, and the carriage which takes away
the married couple, are also paid for by the
groom.

He also furnishes souvenirs to the maid of
honor and bridesmaids, best man and ushers,
and all expenses of the wedding trip.

       If the groom gives a farewell bachelor dinner,
       he bears all expenses.

  Farewell bachelor dinners.  See Groom-
      Farewell Dinner.

  Farewell bridal luncheon.  See Bride—­
      Farewell Luncheons.

  Fees.  The wedding fee, preferably gold or
       clean bills in sealed envelope, is given by the
       best man to the officiating clergyman. 
       Custom leaves the amount to the groom, who
       should give at least five dollars or more, in
       proportion to his income and social position. 
       The clergyman usually gives the fee to his
       wife.

  Flower girls.  See Flower Girls.

  Flowers are in general use.  The quantity and
       quality of floral decorations must depend
       upon the taste and the wealth of the parties
       concerned.

  Bride.  The bride, if she desires, carries at the
       wedding ceremony a bouquet given by the
       groom.  Flowers are sometimes dispensed
       with, and a Prayer-Book used.

  Church.  In addition to the palms in the chancel,
       a string of flowers or white ribbons is stretched
       across the middle aisle, to reserve this place
       for the immediate family and specially invited guests.

  Ushers.  Boutonnieres, provided by the bride’s
       family, should be given to the sexton by the
       florist on the wedding-day.  They may be
       made of lilies of the valley, white roses, or
       the like.

       Sometimes the ushers call at the house of
       the bride to have her fix them in the lapel of
       their coats.