Transvestia

with floor-length skirt, deeply gored, and an unusual and attractive bolero cape of old Spanish lace. The latter went very well with her flowing veil. She carried an enormous bouquet of lilies. The bride was given away by her father, who had chosen a smart two-piece suit in the same material as his daughter's wedding gown, with a narrow skirt and a rather mannishly severe top, worn over a contrasting lace blouse, with an ornate multi- strand crystal necklace, and ear-pendants to match. In the sleek satin of this outfit, with medium-high heels, the bride's father appeared both dignified and graceful, as befitting a rather important participant in the ceremony.

But really, it was the bridegroom, of all the menfolk present, who really stole the show, as is right and proper. We have heard so much discussion of what a bridegroom ought to wear. So many men simply content themselves with an identical replica of the bride's gown, but that is not very original, and does not sufficiently emphasize the fact that it is, after all, two different people who are being joined together. It is so much better for the bridegroom to choose a dress that will emphasize his own position, and set off the beauty of the bride's attire. We have seldom seen a wedding where this was done more effectively than in this one. The bridegroom looked in- finitely dignified and stately in a floor-length Tudor- style gown of black velvet, with very full skirts, and a close-fitting waist-coat style bodice, opening in front to reveal a froth of lace. He really looked superb as he swept up the aisle in his lovely gown and flowing skirts; after all, the skirt is the appropriate attire for ceremo- nial occasions, as we in the 21st century well know, and what more important ceremony than this? His dress had very full short puffed sleeves, in the Tudor-style, leaving just a hint of bare arm above the black nylon elbow-gloves. But the sombre dignified black of his dress was set off and emphasised by the gorgeous glitter of ornate antique jewelry; his multi-strand diamond necklace was matched by another similar one, worn as a pendant from the belt of his dress, and also by equally ornate bracelets, ear pendants, and bodice brooch. We have seldom seen a more effective and delightful outfit for a bridegroom.

The best man, for his part, made an important con- tribution to the brightness of the scene; he turned out in

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