Essay contest for a wedding?
 

What do you guys think?

DEAR ABBY: My family and I recently went to my brother's home for a family get-together. During our visit, my wife was told that our nephew was being married. Our nephew then announced that he is going to have all those who plan on attending submit a 75-word essay stating why we should be invited. I said, "Why?" My wife and I were appalled.

What do you think of this, Abby? -- APPALLED IN THE U.S.A.

DEAR APPALLED: If your nephew is trying to keep his wedding a small and intimate affair, he's doing a great job of it. I have never heard of an essay contest to determine who will be allowed to attend a wedding. (Will those people whose essays don't get a passing grade be excluded?) If I were you, I'd send your nephew and his bride a lovely congratulatory card and skip the "contest."

Utterly Ridiculous! :rolleyes:

Tres tacky!!

Then you probably wouldn't want to go to this type of wedding either.

Dear Prudie,
Please help settle a debate I am having with my boyfriend. Friends of ours are getting married at a small wedding in their backyard, with immediate family only. After the ceremony, they are inviting friends over for a big informal BBQ to celebrate. They sent out an invitation that stated gifts were not expected, but listed their registries for those who were interested. The invitation also stated that they would have a tip jar out to raise money for a down payment on a house. I think a tip jar at a wedding is tacky. My boyfriend thinks it's no different than the Polish bridal dance (a tradition where guests make a donation to dance a final dance with the bride). Prudie, please help me to explain the difference.

—Critical of the Tip Jar

Dear Crit,
A tip jar? At a wedding? One wonders what service they will be performing for which they expect tips. "Tacky" doesn't say it, honey. At least this Polish bridal dance you speak of has a tradition tied to it, though Prudie has never heard of it. So tell your boyfriend that the difference between his example and a "tip jar" is that, at least at the Polish wedding, one pays to dance with the bride by custom. You might also point out that it would have to be some big jar, with a lot of wealthy (and willing) guests, to make the down payment on a house. And there's a list of registries, yet. Prudie is appalled.

—Prudie, dazedly

Does it have to be 75 words, or can I just send this:

Dear Bride and Groom,
Pick me because I want the free food and beverages at the reception.
From,
UofISK

:p That is the silliest thing I have ever heard. I am not sure if the tip jar or the essay contest is worse.

I think they are about equal....a tip jar at a wedding? *sheaks head*

I think it's funny. The essay, at least. Not the tip jar.

I'm also pretty sure that they were kidding, though.

It'll be funny to see how many people don't show up for their wedding (the essay people). I hope they didn't order alot of food. :)