DEAR ABBY: This is in response to "Needs Help in New York."
I was married March 14, and everyone thought it was a beautiful wedding. My parents were thrilled when we told them we were engaged, but they were also financially limited. They told me they would be able to spend "x" amount of money only -- and that's what they did.
My husband's parents gave us a beautiful rehearsal dinner. My husband's brother and sister and their spouses helped foot the bill for the reception. No one was required to take out a loan from anyone.
Our wedding was a collective effort on the part of everyone who loves us -- from those who stood up for us, to those who worked behind the scenes, to those who helped out financially. Our wedding was special and beautiful because those who are dear to us did what they could to make it so.
"Needs Help" should talk with her daughter and her ex-husband and try to come up with a compromise that will make their daughter's wedding what it should be -- a beautiful memory, not a painful monthly payment. You may use my name. -- JENNIFER L. INGRAM, ST. JOSEPH, MO.
DEAR JENNIFER: I agree. And may I add that from your description, your wedding was the ideal -- a joining of two families, accomplished through an outpouring of love and generosity on both sides. Congratulations and continued good fortune.