DEAR MISS MANNERS: My son just got engaged, and they will soon set a date for the wedding. This is his second marriage and her first. His first wedding, everyone from both my wife’s side and my side of the family came into town and gave him and his ex gifts.
With this being his second marriage, should we be inviting these same relatives again? Is it right to ask them to attend and give gifts?
GENTLE READER: While Miss Manners has a certain sympathy for wanting to start a new marriage without the weight of the old china pattern, her usual abhorrence of registries is magnified for a second marriage. You might point out to the bride that generosity and indulgence will more likely be inspired if she does not issue a lengthy and expensive checklist of new presents. At the very least, she should take pains to exclude items that the guests have already seen or bought the first time around.
(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)