“Should I Move For Love With My 5-Year-Old Daughter?”

I met my boyfriend eight months ago at a career training (we work for the same company). I live in Chicago . . . and he lives in New York. He came to Chicago to visit me two months after we met, with intentions of just hanging out, but it turned into more. We have since seen each other every four weeks or so, trading off for the most part who goes where. Recently, he told me the distance was too much — that he loves me, that he feels an overwhelming connection, and that he can see himself with me in the longterm, but that, until we are closer, he doesn’t…

Wedding Week Shortcuts: “I Didn’t Get a Plus-One for My Live-In Girlfriend and I’m Furious!!”

It’s time again for Shortcuts. For every question, I’ll give my advice in just a few sentences because sometimes the answer to a person’s question is so obvious and the need to hear it so great that being as clear and frank as possible is simply the best way to go. One of my fraternity friends, whom I’m not very close with, is getting married and I was invited to the bachelor party. I sent back the invitation saying my girlfriend and I would attend the wedding. He calls me right after he gets the RSVP saying that, due to venue size and how he wants to invite all his frat guys,…

Dear Wendy’s All-Time Most Popular Wedding Columns

When I started this site over four years ago, I had no idea that weddings would prove to be such a controversial and emotionally-charged topic. But over the last few years, I have received more wedding-related letters than on any other topic. In honor of Wedding Week here on Dear Wendy, here is a round-up of the site’s all-time most popular wedding columns. (I know at least a few will spark a trip down memory lane…)  

Afternoon Quickie: “How Do I Tell Our Wedding Guests Their Kids Are Not Invited?”

It’s Wedding Week on Dear Wendy! This week will be chock-full of wedding columns, gift guides, dollar dances and an open bar. If you love wedding content, this is your lucky week. If you hate wedding content, this is your lucky week because–-open bar! But just kidding about the open bar. My adopted brother (i.e. not blood-related, but he calls my parents Mom and Dad and his children call me Auntie) and his wife are invited to our very small wedding early next year. They have three beautiful children, ages 6, 2, and 1 month, whom I love very much. I’m fine with the youngest being at the wedding because he will…

“Can I Ask For a Plus One If I’m in a Wheelchair and Require Assistance?”

It’s Wedding Week on Dear Wendy! This week will be chock-full of wedding columns, gift guides, dollar dances and an open bar. If you love wedding content, this is your lucky week. If you hate wedding content, this is your lucky week because–-open bar! But just kidding about the open bar. I have a unique wedding etiquette situation. I have two weddings to attend in October (different weekends) but am concerned about logistics. I use a wheelchair and am not currently able to drive. Normally, I’d just catch a ride with a friend who is also going, but there isn’t anyone appropriate to ask for either event. Besides just a ride, I’d…

“How Do I Tell My Bridesmaids I’m Not Paying for Their Hair and Makeup?”

I’m getting married soon and have decided to pay for the bridesmaids’ dresses for my four bridesmaids (roughly $150 each) as their “bridesmaid gift.” I’ll still give each one a nice keepsake at the rehearsal dinner, BUT my question is: How do I tell them that I’m not paying for their hair/makeup the day of, but that I will book their appointment with my stylist if they would like it? Etiquette says I should pay, but is there a tactful way of saying what I’m not paying for? — Paying For Their Dresses

“I Planned My Bachelorette Party and My Bridesmaids Won’t Come!”

I will be getting married soon and I have several friends whom I’ve included in my wedding as bridesmaids. I have known all of these ladies for at least 10 years. I have two friends whom, up until about three years ago, I was extremely close to, but we stopped talking for about two years for really no reason at all and in the last year I have started speaking to both of them again, though I really only maintain a close relationship with one. Out of my seven bridesmaids, these are the only two I talk to regularly. I decided that I wanted to take a trip with my bridesmaids to…

Shortcuts: “My Husband Calls Me His Mom”

It’s time again for Shortcuts. For every question, I’ll give my advice in just a few sentences because sometimes the answer to a person’s question is so obvious and the need to hear it so great that being as clear and frank as possible is simply the best way to go. How do I stop my husband’s rudeness? He is constantly interrupting me, telling me that I don’t know what I’m talking about, or talking about me while I’m standing right there, as if I am not there or I’m a child. I finally had to quit my job because there were too many complaints about his texting and calling me at…

“My Daughter’s Boyfriend Is Taking Her Away From Us”

New readers, welcome to Dear Wendy, a relationship advice blog. Read some of the most popular Dear Wendy posts here. If you don’t find the info you need in this column, please visit the Dear Wendy archives or the forums (you can even start your own thread), do a search in the search bar, or submit a question for advice at wendy(AT)dearwendy.com. I am the mother of three adult daughters. The two oldest ones live out of state with their normal, secure husbands, and we get together when we can, as families do. Since they live far away, I don’t have many opportunities to do things with them often, which feels really…

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