r For Brides Babies Don't Thrive in Smoke-filled Wombs and their Families. marriage. In modern times, it has become a short period in a private room, where the two break their fast with a light meal (if they have followed the traditional wedding day fast). Or, it is a brief time alone, to rest and refresh before joining the guests for the wedding reception. Marriages Hit Peak In June 1986 A mericans married in 13.June 1986 at the highest rate in six years, according to government statistics that were released recently. About 306,000 American couples were wed during the month, according to preliminary figures col- lected by the National Center for Health Statistics. The statistics represent a rate of 15.8 marriages per 1,000 Americans, the highest for any one month since June 1978, when the rate was 16.0. But despite the surge in June, tradi- tionally the most popular month for weddings, the annual marriage rate re- mained relatively level. Two factors may have brought about the increase in marriages last June. One factor that could ex- plain an increase is that there were five Saturdays last June. Half of all wed- dings are held on Saturdays. In addition, an increase in the June marriage rate without a corresponding in- crease in the annual rate could show that people are planning weddings in a more deliberate way. Couples who plan to marry may increasingly be choosing a time when vaca- tions are easier to schedule, and when the weather is likely to be better for out- door parties. The June figures brought the total number of wed- dings to 1,160,000 for the first half of the year, 18,000 more than during the first half of 1983. But because the population is larger this year, the marriage rate for the first six months of 1984 was identical to the figure in the first half of 1983 — 9.9 marriages per 1,000 Americans each month, on the average. offitzumr as you{ prepare Make an Impact on Both Sides of the Aisle! Reproductions of the Finest Jewelry Pieces in the World at Prices So Low, You Wouldn't Believe It. _Des -For +hat special day, 161- our s-afFond elf5crW1y c,rea\-e an4 cfe514