Dear Annie: I have a friend whose son was taking a job across the country after his wedding. She hosted a bridal shower since many of us had met her future daughter-in-law and her parents didn't live nearby. We were asked to give our best marital advice and bring a gift. Since I wasn't married and I had a custodial job, I made a list of everyday products and what they could be used to clean.

At the wedding reception, the bride came to me and gave me a hug. Then she told me that mine was the best gift because she didn't know how to clean very well. That's one gift that could be used again and again and passed down for generations. Plus it's something that made me feel good. -- Still Feeling Good

Dear Still Feeling Good: What a wonderful example of how thoughtfulness and creativity can go a long way. Many people experience stress or anxiety over the financial cost of attending a wedding -- from travel fare to hotel reservations to wedding gifts, not to mention separate occasions altogether like bachelorette parties and bridal showers. Your thoughtfulness and your pride in your work are shining through in your gift, and the bride clearly appreciated the personal touch. Well done!

Dear Annie: My nephew will be getting married in a couple of months. They are trying to stick to a budget. On their wedding website, there is a "question-and-answer" page with details for the big day. It clearly states that although they love children, it is an adults only event. It also states that plus ones are not invited.

My youngest brother has asked my sister -- the mother of the groom -- if he could bring his two kids as well as a guest of one of the children. My sister said yes, which understandably upset my nephew. I also hear that a sister of the bride plans to attend, along with uninvited children, because she does not have a babysitter.

How do you think things like this should be handled? I have no children, but I think it is disrespectful to go against the couple's wishes. I personally think my sister needs to get in touch with my youngest brother and tell him she misspoke. I'd say his daughters are welcome to come visit but not to come to the wedding. What thoughts might you have on the subject? -- Hoping for a Respectful Wedding

Dear Hoping: You are absolutely right that the couple's wishes are to be respected. I'm not sure why your sister felt she had authority over the guest list, but you should tell her exactly what you told me in this letter. It's your nephew's special day, and if his guests cannot follow the rules he so clearly laid out, they shouldn't attend. Hopefully your sister can reach out to everyone she misinformed and let them know she was mistaken before the news has time to reach the couple and inevitably cause them stress.

Annie Lane's column, "Dear Annie," can be found at creators.com.