Weddings are never a simple affair, no matter what century one lives in. The article on the "Etiquette of Courtship and Matrimony" reveals just how complex the process of getting engaged and married could be. Our cooking section has several articles on wedding breakfasts - the reason being that until the 1880's (at least in England), marriages were required to take place in the morning, by law! Eventually they could be held in the afternoon, and toward the end of the century weddings could be held in the evening. The complex rules about engagements make a bit more sense, perhaps, when one realizes that in the Victorian era, it was nearly impossible to get a divorce!

The Wedding of Polly Ann Peachblossom, by Mary Ann Worthy (Godey's Lady's Book, 1873)

A humorous look at wedding styles and customs in America.

On Some Minor Points of Etiquette (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1876)

A look at the etiquette issues faced by the new bride or "young matron."

Wedding Breakfasts, by A.G. Payne (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1876)

The author doesn't seem to quite approve of them, but if one must have one, a menu is provided, including extensive instructions on how to prepare the cake.

Etiquette of Courtship and Matrimony (Collier's Cyclopedia, 1882)

From the "first steps of courtship" to "the wedding breakfast," this covers absolutely everything the proper Victorian couple needs to know about courtship, engagement and the marriage ceremony.

My Sister's Wedding, and How We Organized It, by Janet Haddon (Girl's Own Paper, 1882)

Wedding Flowers, by T.F. Thiselton Dyer (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1883)

Lore and legend of the bridal wreath and bouquet.

Old Notions Concerning Bridesmaids, by T.F. Thiselton Dyer (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1884)

An indication that many of the tasks performed by bridesmaids of "today" stemmed from times when a wedding involved a mock, or real, "capture" of the bride.

Wedding Flowers (Demorest, 1884)

A June Wedding, by Augusta de Burna (Demorest, 1888)

A charming look at a Victorian wedding in June.

Practical Etiquette: Wedding Anniversaries, by Florence Howe Hall (Demorest, 1889)

Tips on hosting a wedding anniversary, as well as how to celebrate paper, wooden, tin, glass, china and silver weddings.

Wedding "At Homes" for People of Small Incomes, by C.E.C. Weigall (Girl's Own Paper, 1891)

Tips on hosting a summer country wedding, including a host of recipes.

Flowers at June Weddings, by H.H. Battles (Ladies' Home Journal, 1892)

My Sister's Wedding, and How We Organized It (Girl's Own Paper, 1893)

Broken Engagements (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1894)

Some Objectionable Wedding Customs (Girl's Own Paper, 1895)

"An Old Lady" objects to such newfangled bridal customs as throwing rice, throwing the slipper, and boy-pages.

Gretna Green Marriages: Their History and Romance, by "Northward Ho!" (Windsor Magazine, 1896A)

The New Wedding Stationery, by Edward Clayton Staley (Ladies Home Journal, 1896)

An Afternoon Wedding, by Mary Pocock (Girl's Own Paper, 1898)

Includes several recipes and a gorgeous full-color print of a wedding party.

Social Events in a Girl's Life: Reminiscences of a Bridesmaid, by La Petite (Girl's Own Paper, 1898)

Peculiar Weddings, by Alfred H. Broadwell (Strand, 1901A)

The marriage of a centenarian; a wedding ceremony in which all members and guests were executioners; a wedding in which the party traveled by truck and motor car; a wedding in a balloon; a wedding on bicycles; and a couple who perhaps wanted to prepare for the future by getting married in a cage containing "the two biggest and ugliest lions of the Boston Zoological Society."

Practical Points of Law, by A Lawyer

Includes Introduction, Dogs, Education, Fire Assurance, Property Fixtures, Life Assurance, Infants/Children, Servants, Swindles, Tenants, Travel, Wedlock, Wills, Popular Errors

Wedding Clothes & Trousseaus

Nellie's Trousseau, Arranged by Nellie's Mother (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1888)

Hints on an Inexpensive Trousseau, by Margaret Erskine (Girl's Own Paper, 1891)

How to prepare your entire wardrobe for married life, with a complete list of what each item will cost! The article is followed with a commentary from a reader who has more cost estimates to suggest.

A Servant's Wedding Outfit, by Maude Robinson (Girl's Own Paper, 1891)

The cost of putting together a complete trousseau for a servant.

The Trousseau of Today (Girl's Own Paper, 1900)

• See Menus for Entertaining for articles on how to prepare wedding breakfasts.