Etiquette for British Weddings

It is considered good taste nowadays to have brown or bay horses for the bride’s carriage, instead of gray ones. The custom of having groomsmen in equal number with the bridesmaids has been revived of late. —A picture of the June bride of 1903 in the color white, which was made de rigueur by Queen Victoria.

Rules of Etiquette to Be Followed as Prescribed in England

A bride should either thank personally or write notes to all people who send wedding presents. 

It is considered good taste nowadays to have brown or bay horses for the bride’s carriage, instead of gray ones. The custom of having groomsmen in equal number with the bridesmaids has been revived of late.

If there are any pages, the bride usually gives them presents, while the bridegroom presents each bridesmaid with a present and bouquet, and also gives a bouquet to the bride’s mother.

Bridesmaids pay for their own dresses unless the bride’s mother offers to do so. This is not usual, however, and there is not the least necessity for her to do so.

The bridegroom’s mother is led down the church after the ceremony by the bride’s father or whoever gave her away. The bride’s mother and the bridegroom’s father follow.

The bridegroom provides house and table linen, as well as furniture. Years ago the linen was the bride’s care, but all this is changed.

A bridegroom usually wears a very dark blue or black frock coat, light trousers, generally gray, a light or white tie, patent leather boots or shoes and a high hat. — Chicago Chronicle, 1902

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia