Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 April 1901 — CONDUCTING A CHURCH WEDDING. [ARTICLE]

CONDUCTING A CHURCH WEDDING.

SarsuttoTH by the Sexton of the Chwh »f the Incarnation, Philadelphia. The most beautiful and Jmpressive ceremony in ’the Episcopal* Church Is to have the betrothal at the chancel steps. This way renders It unnecessary for the bride to kneel till the benediction, which Is very desirable, as ft Is troublesome to do so In a wedding gown. It also allows the gentleman who is to give away the bride a chance to enter the front pew, thus saving him from having to ascend and descend from the chancel and also leaves him out of the recessional. The prettiest way to arrange this style of a wedding Is for the ushers, bridesmaids, flower girls or pages to precede the couple up the aisle into the chancel, separating to right and left apd then forming a group, avoiding straight lines, and facing the congregation. The maid of honor then stops on the left of the chancel step opposite the best man, who should be there nuth the groom. The groom then .weps forward and takes the bride’s hand, who at the same moment lets go of the arm of the gentleman who Is to give her away, he remaining directly back of her. The minister then comes forward and commences the betrothal service. The other style of wedding is for the ushers to precede the party up the aisle till they reach the front pew; then then separate and stand on each side of the aisle two pews apart, allowing bridesmaids to pass through into the chancel, where they form a grouping, leaving room for the ushers in the background. The maid of honor follows and stands on the left, close to the altar rail. The groom, who Is waiting with the best man at the chancel steps, then steps forward and takes the bride’s hand and leads her to the altar, where they should kneel for a moment. The gentleman who Is to give away the bride and the best man follow after, the best man going to the right of groom and the gentleman who is to give away the bride stands directly back of her. Then the ushers follow, going to right and left back of the bridesmaids.. After the benediction, and while the maid of honor is arranging the veil, the gentleman who gave away the bride can descend from the chancel and enter the first pew, or if desired he can step aside and allow bride and groom, maid of honor and bridesmaids to pass and he can walk with the best man, followed by the ushers.—Church Economist.