She doesn't want body art in her wedding

DEAR AMY: I want my two best friends to be in my bridal party, however, they both have multiple large tattoos on their arms, chest and back that I think are hideous. I absolutely adore my friends but when I think of how their tattoos will look in my wedding photos I cringe. Should I not invite them to be bridesmaids and have two other friends who I am not as close to? Or should I have them in the wedding and have their body art be a major distraction the whole time? Our wedding is in the Caribbean so cover-up sweaters are not an option. I hate to think what my conservative grandparents will think about my tattooed bridesmaids.

Help! Madison

DEAR MADISON: I suggest you approach this by being completely upfront, though not using the word "hideous" to describe their body art.

Tell them both: "I'm eager for you to be a bridesmaid, but my grandparents will be freaked out by your ink. Are you willing to wear a body art concealer on the day -- or wear dresses (or use a wrap) with more coverage? I understand if you don't want to do this -- so just let me know as soon as you can. Either way I want you to be with me on my wedding day." Your friends have made a choice to be inked and one aspect of that choice is that it will occasionally affect their interactions with other people -- both positively and negatively.

DEAR AMY: Your response to "Fresh Scented" stank! You said it is not necessary to bathe every day and apply deodorant. What are you thinking? The very least this boyfriend could do is to bathe. I think his behavior is atrocious and your answer is baffling.

Also Fresh

DEAR FRESH: Many, many readers consider my advice unclean. But as I responded to this letter, both parties could have tried much harder to meet in the middle.