DEAR ABBY: "Confused in Connecticut" implied that she gave wedding gifts in exchange for unlimited free drinks.
Abby, I could have been the bride at that wedding, so I hope you will air my side of the story.
I wanted my reception to be held at some out-of-the-way place that was absolutely "dry" -- not because of my religious beliefs, but because I was horrified to think what could happen if my family had unlimited free booze. However, my mother insisted on having the reception at her favorite restaurant.
The manager tried to persuade me to have an open bar plus a champagne fountain, but I convinced him that it would not be a good idea by relating a few horror stories about my cousin's wedding. Unfortunately, I couldn't do anything about the main bar upstairs. At least the distance of the main bar from the reception and the expense of paying for their own drinks kept the lid on things.
I suppose I could have eloped, but I took the risk because I really wanted a wedding. My mother had looked forward to planning it, and my future husband and his parents expected one. I just didn't want my reception to involve a lot of police officers and emergency room doctors.
Please don't use my name. Sign me ... WANTED TO RIDE IN A LIMO, NOT A PADDY WAGON