Has the bride been a little down in the dumps because her very best friend — the one who grew up next door to your family, the one who still talks to your daughter on the phone all the time, the one you can't imagine not being there — can't make it to her wedding? Too expensive, the friend said; she's sorry but she just can't afford the travel expenses.

How about getting in touch with the friend yourself and flying her into town for a few days? Imagine your daughter's elation when she sees her pal, and imagine how grateful she'll be that you thought of helping out in this way. If the friend can pop in a few days before the big event, she can help the bride pull together any last minute details and really feel as though she's part of the wedding, too.