At all wedding breakfasts it is customary for the guests to assemble in the drawing-room, and then to enter the breakfast-room together—­the bride and groom leading the way.

It is not usual to have the bridal cake at a wedding breakfast, but if such is the case, the bride makes the first cut, and the slices are given first to those at the bridal table.

  Wedding reception.  She should stand by her
       husband’s side to receive the best wishes of all
       present.  The guests are not announced, but
       are introduced by the ushers to the bride if
       not known to her.

       The bride should not leave her place to
       mingle with the guests until all have been
       introduced to her.

Bride’s family.  See family of bride.

Bride’s father.  See father of bride.

Bride’s mother.  See mother of bride.

Bridegroom.  See groom.

Bridesmaids.  The bridesmaids are selected by the
       bride, and number six, eight, or twelve—­
       mostly eight.  She usually gives them a
       dinner a few days before the wedding, at
       which she shows them the trousseau and discusses
       the details of the wedding.

The ushers and the groom are invited to come after the dinner, and then the rehearsal takes place.  The bridesmaids should be present at this and all other rehearsals, and if unable to be present at the wedding should give the bride ample notice, that a substitute may be secured.

  Calls.  They call upon the mother of the bride
       within a week or ten days after the ceremony,
       and upon the bride, in her own home, after
       her return from her wedding trip.

  Carriages.  A carriage provided by the family
       of the bride calls for the bridesmaid on the
       wedding-day, and takes her to the bride’s
       house.  Her carriage follows the bride’s to the
       church, and, after the ceremony, takes her to
       the wedding breakfast or reception.

  Church.  They meet at the house of the bride,
       and there take their carriages to the church. 
       While their carriages follow that of the bride,
       they alight first and receive her in the vestibule. 
       They may carry bouquets supplied by
       the bride’s family or the groom.

In the procession up the aisle they follow the ushers, walking two by two, and as the ushers approach the altar they divide—­one-half to the right and one-half to the left.  The bridesmaids do likewise, leaving space for the bridal party to pass.

In the procession down the aisle they follow the best man and maid of honor