DEAR ABBY: I am being married in the fall and have asked my niece to be the only musician and play her violin in my wedding. She agreed to do it as a gift to me.
I want her to purchase a bridesmaid's dress and shoes (together about $220) so she'll match the bridesmaids, as she'll be in the front of the church. Her family refuses to buy the dress or shoes. This has upset me and my family and caused a lot of tension.
It is my wedding, and I feel they should accommodate my wishes. Don't you agree? -- HURT IN KENTUCKY
DEAR HURT: Not necessarily. Two hundred and twenty dollars may not seem like much to you, but it may be to your niece. So be prepared to pony up the money and pay for her outfit if you're determined that she match the bridesmaids.
Look at it this way: You're getting a live musician at no cost. Consider the costume your gift to HER for participating in your dream wedding.