DEAR ABBY: I'm being married soon to a wonderful man. Because of expenses, we decided to go to a justice of the peace and have a reception afterward for the families.
My problem: A few years ago I was engaged to be married. I was pregnant, so my family felt I should be married, not merely engaged. Rather than standing up to them, I lied and said we had eloped.
My family gave us a huge wedding reception with all the trimmings. After the baby was born, I left my fiance and subsequently confessed to my parents that we were not actually married. Needless to say, it made them feel "used."
Now that I am getting married, I am not sure whether to invite my family to the reception, or simply send wedding announcements afterward. What do you think, Abby? -- WHAT A TANGLED WEB IN TRENTON, N.J.
DEAR TANGLED WEB: If you pay for the reception yourself, you are free to invite whomever you wish. If your parents still harbor ill feelings, they are free to decline the invitation. Let's hope they are willing to let bygones be bygones.