Dear Queenie,
My sister is getting married next summer and she wants me, my wife and our 4 kids to be there. The wedding will be in New York and the trip for the 6 of us would cost much more than we can afford, plus the fact that our kids are all very young and arranging care and supervision for them would be difficult and that much more expense.
I have explained all of this to my sister but she still wants all of us there.
Queenie, do we really have to go?—Brother of the bride
Dear Brother,
A wedding invitation (like any other invitation) is a request for your presence, not a command performance. Explain to your sister again what you have told me and tell her that you (and your wife, if possible, but definitely not the children) will be happy to attend. If that does not satisfy her, express your regrets at not being able to be there on her special day, and stay home.
