the wedding
feast, even to china, linen, silver, candelabra, and flowers, should
the bride's parents so wish.

At the wedding reception, after the congratulations and greetings are
over, and the breakfast is announced, the bride and bridegroom lead
the way to the dining-room. Then comes the bride's father with the
groom's mother. The bridegroom's father follows with some member of
the bride's family, then come the best man and the maid of honor. The
ushers and bridesmaids pair off, and other members of the bridal party
or of the two families follow in pairs. Lastly, as hostess of the
occasion, comes the bride's mother, with the officiating clergyman, or
the senior and highest in rank of the clergymen, if there be more than
one, as guest of honor.

The rest of the guests, who are not seated at the bridal table, find
their seats as they choose, with friends, no place cards being used.

For an afternoon or evening reception the refreshments are served as
for any reception. A large table in the dining-room is decorated with
flowers and piled with the edibles, which are served by the waiters to
the guests as they enter. The variety of food depends wholly upon the
resources of the bride's parents and the size and elaborateness of the
wedding. Many prefer a simple repast as the hour is unusual for a
meal, and a dinner is not to be served.

When the bride and bridegroom enter and are served, the best man
proposes a toast to their health and happiness, and all present stand,
glass in hand, and pledge them.

At a wedding breakfast the English custom is to have toasts and
speeches, but it is not followed largely in this country. Where it is,
usually at a small wedding party, the father of the bridegroom or the
best man proposes the health of the bride and bridegroom. The father
of the bride responds. Sometimes the bridegroom is called on to
respond to this toast, which he does, proposing in turn the health of
the bridesmaids. To this the best man responds.

The wedding cake is a rich dark fruit cake, which is at its best only
when made months in advance and kept in a stone crock well covered.
This is finely frosted and ornamented.

At the close of the wedding breakfast the wedding cake is set before
the bride, who cuts the first slice from it. It is then passed to the
others.

At a large wedding, where no breakfast is served, the wedding cake is
usually cut into small pieces and placed in white boxes, which are
decorate