Dear
Karen and Reggie: I wasn't aware that the words of the wedding march
had been rewritten to “Here comes the bride, fork over your cash…” I
think weddings should strictly be spectator sports. If couples
want to throw themselves lavish parties, by all means go ahead, but
they should not expect or demand their parents or anyone else to pay
for it. A gift is given from the heart, not the wallet. Though
parents may wish to distribute money evenly to avoid questions like
this, they are under no obligation to do so. You are all
young adults, not children on the playground. Receivers should
be thankful for any gift they receive, regardless of the gifts that
anyone else received. Since you both lost the bet, chip in the
value of the bet and send it to your local charity.
