If the invitation contains an invitation to the breakfast or reception, it should be accepted or declined at once, and the answer sent to those issuing the invitation.  If the invitation does not include a breakfast or reception invitation, no acknowledgment is necessary.

       Should the wedding, however, be at home,
       and the guests limited in number, an
       acknowledgment should be sent.

       If the invitations bear the letters R. S. V. P.
       an acknowledgment is necessary.

  Bridesmaids.  At a large church wedding several
       invitations are usually given to the
       bridesmaids for their own personal use.

  Calls.  Very intimate friends can call personally. 
       Friends of the groom who have no
       acquaintance with the bride’s family should
       send their cards to those inviting them.

Those who do not receive with wedding invitations and announcements At Home cards should not call, but consider themselves dropped from the circle of acquaintances of the married couple.

  Cards, leaving.  If a person is invited to a
       wedding at a church, but not to the reception
       or breakfast, a card should be left or mailed
       both to the bride’s parents and to the
       married couple.

Those present at the ceremony should leave cards in person for those inviting them, and if this is not possible, they can send them by mail or messenger.

       Those invited but not present should send
       cards to those who invited them.

  Recalled. When for some good reason a
       wedding has to be canceled or postponed,
       the parents of the bride should, as soon as
       possible, send printed notices, giving the
       reasons, to all the invited guests.

  Journey.  See Wedding Trip.

  Maid of honor.  See Maid of Honor.

  Marking gifts.  See Marking Wedding Gifts.

  Married couple.  Immediately after the wedding
       breakfast or reception, the bride, with
       her maid of honor, retires to change her
       clothes for those suitable for travel.  The
       groom, with his best man, does likewise, and
       waits for his wife at the foot of the stairs.

As she comes down the stairs she lets fall her bridal bouquet among the bridesmaids, who strive to secure it, as its possession is deemed a lucky sign of being the next bride.

As the couple pass out of the front door it is customary for the guests to throw after them, for luck, rice, rose leaves, flowers, old shoes, etc.

The form to be used in signing the hotel register is:  Mr. and Mrs. John K. Wilson.  Good taste and a desire for personal comfort demand that their public acts and words be not of such a character as to attract attention.

         See also Wedding Trip.