Dear Mary: I offered to do flower arrangements for a very small family wedding. The bride donated $100 for the flowers. I offered to pay for any additional floral costs as my wedding gift to the couple. Unfortunately, I underestimated the additional cost for the flowers, and it looks as if I will be going way over my budget for this gift. Do you have the social etiquette solution for me so I do not have to invest any more of my own money? I do not know how to say my wedding gift is completed but the cost of flowers is not. —Name Withheld
Dear Name Withheld: This is a tough situation and an expensive lesson you will never have to learn again. Ethically, you have no choice but to complete the task and your gift to the couple as you offered in the beginning. Is there a chance you could find another to assist in paying for this gift? If so, be sure to write a note to let the bride and groom know that person participated in their gift. Next time, decide on a limit at the beginning so everyone has the same expectations.
