DEAR ABBY: My niece, "Jennifer," is being married next month. She and her mother (my sister) have a strained relationship due to her mother's substance abuse and addictions. For this reason, I have acted as my niece's surrogate mother for the last 20 years.
Jenny invited her mother to the wedding, but asked her to come sober or not to show up. If my sister attends her daughter's wedding, how should she be treated as the mother of the bride in regards to seating, photos, etc.? -- FULLERTON, CALIF., AUNT
DEAR AUNT: Your sister should be seated with family, not necessarily at the head table. She should be included in at least one family photo and one with the bride and groom. It's the respectful and compassionate thing to do.
In case the bride's mother shows up "under the influence," arrangements should be made beforehand for her to be escorted out and safely transported back to her dwelling.