Puester wrote:
>
>
> Yep. Even worse, some financial institutions will let the couple
> "register" for a mortgage donation and travel agencies will accept
> donations for a honeymoon. Whatever happened to waiting for marriage
> till you can afford it and paying your own way?

No problem..... Have the bank send the couple a card that says that you
donated, but not the amount.


> I am told it is generally understood that "We really have everything we
> need." is code for "We want cash gifts." And cash gifts should equal or
> exceed the cost of the reception meal. Huh? No guest ever required
> that a couple feed them an overpriced dinner. Tacky, tacky, tacky.

This thread has passed through here a few times over the years. IMO it is
absolutely ridiculous the way people blow money on weddings. My son is at
the age where some of his friends are getting married and inviting my wife
and I to their weddings and outrageously expensive dinners. Sorry, but even
if we hadn't both taken earlier retirement and the huge drop in income that
goes with it, I am not spending $300 or more on a friend of the son just
to make sure the gift covers the price of the meals when it is about three
times what I would spend on a decent meal in a restaurant where I get to
pick what I want for dinner instead of what the caterer can turn out 200
servings of.