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University Daily Kansan Thursday, May 17, 1956
—(Photo by Estes Studio)
CONGRATULATIONS!—Mr. and Mrs. Paul William Bartsch and their attendants greet guests at a reception in the Kappa Sigma social fraternity house.
Receptions Mean Gaiety, Celebration
By JOAN GEORGE (Of The Daily Kansan Staff)
When the solemnity of the wedding ceremony is over, it's time to greet the bride and bridegroom and enjoy the gaiety of the wedding reception.
Keen "Home" Appearance
The reception requires careful planning, which needn't be difficult if the advice of Marguerite Bentley, author of "Wedding Etiquette Complete," is followed. The trend, she says, is toward simplicity.
Keep Home Applause
The prospective bride is faced with the problem of decorating. She is advised by Mrs. Bentley not to denude the house of its furniture but to keep the "home" appearance intact. White is the most popular color for flowers to decorate the rooms. Flowers, ferns and other greenery are the only ornaments necessary. Candles may be used if the reception is in the afternoon or evening.
At the bride's table, the wedding cake, surrounded by festive flowers and greenery, two small bowls of flowers and white tapers are the recommended decorations. Again white flowers are suggested, as they present a more elaborate appearance, even if of an inexpensive variety.
A heavily banked floral background for the receiving line is no longer favored. Artistic and delicate arrangements are preferred. A few large baskets of white flowers, ferns and perhaps candles furnish a pleasing background.
Flowers Around Room
Small bowls of flowers may be placed around the room and on the quartet tables arranged for the guests. It is necessary to have only enough tables to seat half of the guests, as no more than that will usually be eating at the same time.
If the living room is large, a smaller room may be used for the receiving line, but if it is of adequate size, the line may be formed before a fireplace or a large window.
The bride's mother, as hostess,
is first in the line. The bridegroom's father, and mother, the bride's father, the bride, the bridegroom, the matron of honor, and the bridesmaids are next in order.
The bride's parents should not overlook small details which, if provided for, will make the party more enjoyable. Guests may need directions to park their cars. Someone should be responsible for taking care of the wraps.
Reception Rules
The reception guest also should observe certain social rules. It is not necessary to answer an invitation to a big wedding, but an invitation to
the reception should be answered in any case.
The guest, when going through the receiving line, should remember that long conversations are out of place there. Words of congratulations to the bridegroom and wishes for the bride's happiness are the only ones necessary.
Incidentally, if the invitation reads "and family," it doesn't include everyone in the household. Only children of walking and talking age should be taken, and then only if the parents are prepared to keep a close eye on their behavior.
'Common Sense' Trousseau Is Best
What should a bride include in her personal trouseau? This is the question brides-to-be undoubtedly ask themselves for a long time while preparing for the "biggest day in their lives." The answer is simply this: use common sense.
Traditionally, the bride's trousseau consists of enough clothes to carry her through her first year of married life. Today's bride, however, may find this idea impractical because of fast changing styles and the fact that a wardrobe for an entire year would be too expensive.
Should Reflect Personality
The important thing for a bride to remember is whether she has an great deal of money to spend on her wedding. You have many clothes or just a few; every article should be selected with the greatest of care and should reflect her personality.
The actual selection of clothes should be based upon where the honeymon is to be, how long the couple plan to stay, where and how they plan to live upon returning.
Items to Remember
It would be impossible to include a list of articles for a personal trousseau that would include all types of girls who marry in all kinds of situations, but the bride may want to include many of the following items in her shopping list: coats or wraps, separates, (skirts and blouses), sports clothes, accessories (hand bags, etc.), rainwear, lingerie, cosmetics, and luggage (including cosmetic cases, hosiery bags, etc.)
The personal agreement of an engagement needs to be spread about in a dignified manner.
Use 'Dignity' In Announcing Engagement
Before publishing the news close relatives should be sent a short informal note telling of the engagement. They should never read it in the paper first.
the paper.
Generally the public announcement is made through both parties' local newspapers. For best results in accuracy send a typed double-spaced statement of the engagement to the society editor. The note should include when you would like to have the announcement run. Do not send an announcement in at the newspaper's deadline and expect it to be printed. It is best to find out the policy of the paper as to when the stories must be received and whether the paper wants a picture.
The style preferred by most newspapers is: (Parents name) of (town) announces the engagement of their daughter (name) to (bride-groom's name) the son of (parents name) of (town). No date has been set for the wedding (or the wedding will take place in December).
Always include your telephone number so that the society editor may verify the announcement and check details.
Photos Need Not Be Expensive
For a treasured remembrance of that gala occasion, it's always nice to have a photographer on hand.
Wedding pictures really don't have to be as expensive as most people think, for the charges are usually made according to the time the photographer is present.
lographer. If the bridal couple can make arrangements to have the wedding party present at a certain time so the photographer can take the pictures en masse, expenses will be reduced.
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