DEAR ABBY: My daughter is being married this summer. She will graduate from college in May from a school in Texas. We live on the West Coast where the wedding will take place. Her fiance lives in Arizona where they will make their home.
The problem is they don't have the money to ship gifts to Arizona. I was wondering if it would be proper to ask people to take a picture of the gift they intended to buy, and wrap it in a box along with a check so my daughter can purchase the item when she arrives in Arizona. Is that tacky? Please advise. -- PLANNING A WEDDING
DEAR PLANNING: It would be improper to bring up the subject of monetary gifts, even if it is "prettied up" by requesting that the guests enclose a photo of the gift they had in mind.
However, if you are asked what your daughter needs or prefers, you may respond by explaining that a check would be the most practical gift.