n come to
wish them happiness.

Whether the wedding take place in the home or at the church, the
bridal pageant has only one object in view,--it is wholly for the
sake of the bridegroom. Every woman desires to come to her husband in
all the glory of her womanhood and of her social position. By all
custom the bridegroom does not see his bride upon the wedding day
until she approaches him as he stands at the altar. So, with her
family doing her the utmost honor that they can, she comes to him,
bringing all that she has and is, and placing herself and her future
in his care. The coming is just as real, however, though the utmost
simplicity prevail.

Back of all the minute detail of wedding custom there is a symbolism.
With the constant elevation of the standards of marriage, this
symbolism and these customs grow purer and more in accord with the
ideals. Just as it is always taken for granted that a marriage
ceremony is uniting loving hearts, so little by little all that is at
variance with that thought will drop away, as have already several
minor details, and new forms and customs more in harmony with the new
ideals take the place of the old. These changes, however, come very
gradually, and should not be hastened, but should only keep pace with
the new conceptions. Nevertheless, there should not be too tenacious a
clinging to the old forms, which expressed lower conceptions, when the
masterly thought of the day is forging out higher and purer ideals of
marriage.

_The Wedding Breakfast_

The wedding breakfast is the name given to the refreshments which
follow the noon wedding. It is usually given when there are but few
relatives and intimate friends, because it is an expensive feast if
large numbers are invited. It is really a dinner, served in courses,
at numerous small tables, each with a complete dinner service. One
large table, placed in the center of the room or elsewhere
conspicuously, is reserved for the bridal party.

The menu usually consists of "fruit, raw oysters, bouillon, fish or
lobster in some fancy form, an entree, birds and salad, ices, cakes,
bonbons, and coffee," according to one recognized authority. Or it may
be much simpler, and include only oysters or bouillon, sandwiches and
salad, ices, cakes, and coffee.

Usually some punch is served in which to pledge the bride and
bridegroom. If wine is used, champagne is customary for weddings.

The caterer usually supplies all the necessities for