DEAR MISS MANNERS: Our daughter, who goes to school and works part time, is getting married for the third time when the groom graduates from college. Both times before, she had the kind of wedding she wanted -- a justice of the peace the first time, and a big wedding, including bridesmaids, flower girl, ring bearer and live music at the reception, the second time.
To what extent are we obligated to do a third wedding? They plan on inviting 200 people!
GENTLE READER: Presuming that your daughter is anywhere near the age of her undergraduate fiance, she seems to be having weddings more as a hobby than as a commitment. Miss Manners can hardly blame you for tiring of it.
This is the time to remind your daughter gently that wedding festivities are not something that parents owe their daughters, merely something they usually feel moved to do when their little girl leaves home. Her leaving one husband's home for another seldom inspires the same feelings.
: