DEAR ABBY: Our son and daughter-in-law were married
last year at a courthouse. They are now planning a "real" wedding. Our
daughter-in-law thinks we should pay for the rehearsal dinner, and my
husband thinks he isn't required to. Please help with this dilemma. Are
we expected to pay for a rehearsal dinner since they have been married a
year already? -- NEW MOTHER-IN-LAW IN OHIO
DEAR MOTHER-IN-LAW: Celebrations of this kind are
gifts. Regardless of what your daughter-in-law is saying, they are not
mandatory. While she may expect you to pay for the dinner, no rule of
etiquette requires you to do it. Please tell your husband I said to hang
onto his wallet.