Don't solicit gifts on wedding invitation

DEAR AMY: My son is getting married in June. He and his wonderful fiancée have been living together in a small apartment. At this point, they have all the "stuff" they need, and also, they really don't have the space for a large quantity of wedding gifts. They are designing their wedding invitations and would like to suggest, in lieu of traditional gifts, perhaps a monetary donation to their honeymoon. What is the etiquette on this, Amy? My question is, how do you word this properly?

Lucky Mom

DEAR MOM: You can convey to this lovely couple that there is no proper or appropriate way to notify guests about gifts on a wedding invitation.

An invitation is just that: an invitation to be a witness to a wedding, not an invitation to contribute to a honeymoon.

If the couple would like to invite people to contribute to their honeymoon, they should do so separately, in response to queries.

There are various online "honeymoon registries" available, giving guests a way to contribute to this trip. You could help the couple by doing some research on these commercial sites.

DEAR AMY: I could really relate

to "Regretful," the young woman who was ashamed that she was already divorced at age 22. I understand the shame of a failed marriage at such a young age. Mine

didn't even make it a year! I choose to refer to my marriage as a "long date" as opposed to a short marriage! Maybe that concept would make her feel less anxious about her early divorce. I am 62 now and did not wed again until I was 41.

No Longer Ashamed

DEAR NO LONGER ASHAMED: I love the "long date" concept. Thank you for sharing.