I would be happy to give some money towards the home or towards a holiday of a lifetime, especially if the couple deserved it, by that I mean maybe they had been through tough times of some sort.

If they were blowing a fortune on a lavish do, then I would be less inclined to be honest.

As for the brides maids buying their own dresses, again if the couple were being prudent with the rest of the do, then I would have no trouble with that.

You help out where you can if needs must and do it with pleasure.

But those who spend a total fortune they dont have and I mean enough money to put down a damn good deposit on a house for instance, then expect you to stump up towards the do itself, then no.

I do watch some of the wedding programmes as well, like Don't tell the Bride, but also I watch some of the wedding channel sometimes, and boy the cost of some of those frocks and the cakes is mindblowing.

jak