reception is held. In a
receiving line at the head of the room stand the bride and bridegroom
with half of the bridesmaids ranged on the bride's right and the
other half on the groom's left. The parents of the groom stand near
and the father of the bride with them or with his wife, as host. The
ushers present the guests to the bride and bridegroom, and then to
their parents, as guests of honor. A few words of congratulation to
the bridegroom and of best wishes to the bride are all that the few
moments possible for each guest permit. The bride offers her hand to
each guest, and presents to her husband her friends, as he does his to
her.

_The Home Wedding_

The home wedding may be made in every way quite as ideal as the church
wedding, and is much more simple, its privacy appealing to many. The
house will be decorated with flowers in good taste and not too great
profusion. Usually a canopy or bower of flowers and foliage is erected
at the head of the drawing-room. This should not be too massive, as
only a special grouping of the flowers is preferable to an arrangement
which is too crowded or shaded.

As the guests arrive the mother and sisters of the bride receive them.
The father of the bride does not appear, nor, of course, does the
bride, until they enter together. A room is placed at the disposal of
the bridegroom, the best man, and the clergyman.

At the stroke of the hour appointed, the clergyman enters and takes
his stand facing the company. The bridegroom and best man also enter
and stand at the left of the clergyman, the best man somewhat behind.
As in a church wedding, the broad white ribbon is used to mark the
aisle. If bouquets are attached to the ends of it, they will hold it
in place.

Then from the farthest corner of the room enters the bridal
procession, formed as for a church wedding.

At a simple house wedding there are often no attendants, the bride and
bridegroom entering the room together, the bride's father having taken
his position near at hand, where he can readily respond at the right
moment.

Another way of forming the procession, which has all the advantages of
the more elaborate one, is for the best man to follow the ushers, then
the one bridesmaid to enter immediately preceding the bride and
bridegroom.

Music is often dispensed with at a home wedding.

When the ceremony is over the clergyman congratulates the couple and
withdraws, and they, turning, face their friends, who the