Wedding presents are all sent to the bride, and are, according to law, her personal property.  Articles are marked with her present—­not her future—­initials.  Mary Smith who is going to marry Jim Smartlington is fortunate as M.S. stands for her future as well as her present name.  But in the case of Muriel Jones who is to marry Ross, not a piece of linen or silver in “Ross house” will be marked otherwise than “M.J.”  It is one of the most senseless customs:  all her life which will be as Muriel Ross, she uses linen and silver marked with a “J.”  Later on many people who go to her house—­especially as Ross comes from California where she will naturally be living—­will not know what “J” stands for, and many even imagine that the linen and plate have been acquired at auction!  Sounds impossible?  It has happened more than once.

Occasional brides who dislike the confusing initials, especially ask that presents be marked with their marriage name.

The groom receives few presents.  Even those who care about him in particular and have never met his bride, send their present to her, unless they send two presents, one in courtesy to her and one in affection to him.  Occasionally some one does send the groom a present, addressed to him and sent to his house.  Rather often friends of the groom pick out things particularly suitable for him, such as cigar or cigarette boxes, or rather masculine looking desk sets, etc., which are sent to her but are obviously intended for his use.

=EXCHANGING WEDDING PRESENTS=

Some people think it discourteous if a bride changes the present chosen for her.  All brides exchange some presents, and no friends should allow their feelings to be hurt, unless they are very close to the bride and have chosen the present with particular sentiment.  A bride never changes the presents chosen for her by her or the groom’s family—­unless especially told that she may do so.  But to keep twenty-two salt cellars and sixteen silver trays when she has no pepper-pots or coffee spoons or platters or vegetable dishes, would be putting “sentiment” above “sense.”

=THE TROUSSEAU=

A trousseau, according to the derivation of the word, was “a little trusse or bundle” that the bride carried with her to the house of her husband.  In modern times, the “little bundle” often requires the services of a van to transport.

The wrappers and underclothes of a young girl are usually very simple, but when she is to be a bride, her mother buys her, as lavishly as she can, and of the prettiest possible assortment of lace trimmed lingerie, tea gowns, bed sacques and caps, whatever may be thought especially becoming.  The various undress garments which are to be worn in her room or at the breakfast table, and for the sole admiration of her husband, are of far greater importance than the dresses and hats to be worn in public.