rt,
the usher should offer her his arm, and the other man walks up behind
them. If an usher should not have had the formality of an introduction
to the lady he is showing to a seat, a bow and a smile when leaving her
is all that is necessary. An usher, being a friend of the family, knows
those who ought to go beyond the ribbon and those who are not relatives
or family connections. The bride's brothers, if they are ushers, take
care of the members of their family, and the intimate friends of the
bridegroom or his relations. The relatives of the bride are placed in
the front pews beyond the ribbon on the right-hand side of the altar,
and the bridegroom's on the left-hand side. At the arrival of the bridal
party the ushers get together and form in the back of the church for the
procession up the aisle or nave. Their meeting thus is the cue for the
sexton, who signals the organist, and the march is started. The ushers
advance up the aisle, two by two, until they reach the chancel, where
they divide on the right and on the left, allowing the bridesmaids to
pass before them, standing in a semicircle around the altar rails. If it
is a Roman Catholic wedding they genuflect as they reach the chancel.
They file down the aisle in the same order, heading the bridal
procession. At the carriage way they assist the bridesmaids in their
carriages, and by previous arrangement they are allotted to certain
carriages escorting the bridesmaids.

_At the reception_ the bride and bridegroom take their places under a
wedding bell of flowers or in the front drawing room between the two
front windows, or, again, in the back drawing room. The house is
decorated with palms, potted plants, flowers, and other foliage. Pink
and white orchids, ferns, and chrysanthemums make very effective
decorations. The mother of the bride, or nearest female relative, stands
at the door of the drawing room and greets the guests. The ushers and
bridesmaids are scattered about the room. If there is only a reception,
then the guests, after exchanging greetings with the lady of the house,
pass on and shake hands with and congratulate the bridegroom and wish
the bride joy. Unless you are an intimate friend, do not attempt any set
speech. The bride will say, if she has not seen you for a short time
before the wedding, "I must thank you, Mr. Smith, for your beautiful
present," or something of that kind. If you do not know the bridegroom
she will present you to him. If you