[Mr. Brightside]

Elaine: Boy, I am really starting to dislike the Drake!

Jerry: I hate the Drake! Maybe the whole thing was a scam. Anybody can just get engaged and get presents and just keep them all. Maybe they’re on their way to Chicago tomorrow and do the whole thing all over again.

[Huntress]

One way to prevent the recipient of a gift from returning it for cash is to have whatever you give them monogrammed.

[Shelayne]

I’m thinkin’ they should be stiffed for the couple’s dinner. After, they can send a note—”So sorry we couldn’t attend your wedding, something suddenly came up!”

You know, the excuse that Marcia Brady got from the hunky quarterback when she broke her nose? ;^)

It word serve the brats right if more of their guests did that. And even if you did the things that Ron and Barbie did, would you ever brag about it—especially to people you have invited? Classy. Really classy.

[subterfuge]

My husband was so disgusted he quietly excused himself from attending the bachelor party.

Well gosh, it's nothing to get that crazy about...

[silverleaf]

If that wasn't enough, they were complaining about some blue towels they had received that they had not registered for. Barbie said they hated them and had returned them. Want to guess what my shower gift was? The blue towels, of course. I couldn't believe she was saying this to us!

I would SO GO to the wedding and eat and drink to my heart's content. And my wedding gift? A set of those same blue towels - monogrammed so they couldn't return them. Yowza!

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Give something everyone needs!

[silverleaf]

People who find it addictive to read true stories about the horrible manners of others- would enjoy the Etiquette hell forum.

http://www.etiquettehell.com/smf/index.php

Reading about the bridezillas here is akin to being unable to look away from a train wreck - which is what our society is rapidly becoming in terms of manners and taste.

[firebrand]

The difference between this couple and the couple that merely collects pricey merchandise to keep is a difference in degree only. I hate being told what to buy. That kind of makes it a ticket price, not a gift.

I also don't like how ritualistic showers and weddings have become. You must do everything just so, or else you are not really married, I guess. Even if you've been living with the guy for the last three years, you must have all the little wedding trinkets of accomplishment. Even the coolest, hippest women become robotic slaves of the wedding industry. Their big chance to have it all.

I remember a friend's wedding before the wedding and shower rituals became established. She put all her gifts out on a big table. There were bizarre items. There were ugly items. There were three-of-a-kinds. It was fun. She didn't need the usual china and silver and crystal, and also understood what "gift" meant.