ShareThisQ: I just found out that my mom is throwing us a surprise engagement party. I'm really excited, but I also heard she's not paying for dinner or drinks -- guests have to pay. What should I do?
A: Since you're not hosting (and it's supposed to be a surprise), there's not much you can do. Plus, engagement parties can be anything from backyard barbecues to full-on fetes. So even though bites and booze aren't free, at least your mom is organizing a time where everyone can be together to celebrate your newly engaged status.
If you're worried about your mom offending guests, you can ask a middlewoman (a sister or aunt) to make sure the invitations are worded in a way that lets guests know what to expect.
(Carley Roney, co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Knot, the nation's leading wedding resource, advises millions of brides on modern wedding etiquette at www.theknot.com. Got more questions? Visit www.theknot.com/askcarley for 800-plus answers on all things wedding.)
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