Maid of honor.  This important person is selected
       by the bride, and acts for her in all details,
       being virtually mistress of ceremonies and filling
       a position requiring administrative ability
       and tact.  She acts in the same capacity as
       the best man does for the groom.

       She is invited, of course, to the dinner
       given by the bride to the bridesmaids.

       She fulfils whatever duties the bride has
       been unable, from press of time, to attend to
       —­as, making calls, etc.

  Church.  She goes to the church with one of
       the parents of the bride, and meets the bride
       and the bridesmaids in the vestibule.  In the
       procession she follows behind the bridesmaids,
       and precedes the flower girl, if there
       is one—­otherwise the bride.  On their arrival
       at the altar she takes her place by the side of
       the bride, and is ready at the plighting of the
       troth to take the bride’s glove and bouquet,
       and returns them to her at the end of the
       ceremony.

After the congratulations of the clergyman, she parts the bridal veil, arranges the bride’s train, and follows the bride down the aisle to the vestibule.

       Here, after giving her best wishes to the
       bride, she takes her carriage to the bride’s
       house to take part in the reception or breakfast.

  Day of wedding.  She should be at the house
       of the bride on the morning of the wedding-day
       to assist the bride’s mother, to see that
       the trousseau is all ready and packed, that
       the bridesmaids are on time, and to attend
       to the many details liable to arise.

  Dress.  Her dress should be some delicate color
       other than white, so as not to detract from
       the bride, and should be subdued in comparison. 
       It may be, and usually is, more
       elegant in quality than that of the bridesmaids.

  Wedding breakfast. The best man escorts the
       maid of honor, and they are usually seated
       at the bridal table.

  Wedding reception.  She stands next the
       bride to receive with her, and also retires
       with her to assist the latter in exchanging
       her wedding dress for the traveling-dress.

It is her privilege to cast a slipper at the carriage which takes away the married couple, and her duty to prepare packages of rice, which are given to the guests to be thrown after the married couple as they leave the house.

Mail, invitations sent by.  All invitations should be
       sent by mail and verbal ones avoided.

Mail or messenger, sending cards by. 
         See cards, visiting—­sending by mail or messenger.