samkoh, may i ask how many tables your MIL have given your parents? actually to be fair to your PIL, the traditional folks feel that if they hv given alot of tables to the lady's side, the lady's side shld not take any more pinjin... of course, "alot of tables" is subjective... depending on how generous the PILs are.
i know this b'coz my mum told me before. my dad came from a very traditional family. during her times, my maternal grandpa asked for alot of pinjin, tables etc... to such an extent where my mum said my paternal grandparents looked down on her. my paternal grandparents felt that, my maternal grandpa hoped to make a gain out of the wedding at the expense of the paternal side... imagine this, the lady's parents did not have to come up with single cents. but yet, can pocket all the APs on the lady's side... yes, we may argue that our parents also buy us jewellery.. but then, if they take the pinjin, that wld be able to cover the cost of jewellery also. so net net, the lady's parents will reap a profit by marrying their daughter.. (the views in olden days)
in current modern days, times have changed. banquet are paid for by the couple themselves. not only that, even the whole wedding cost, most couples have to bear. unlike last time, when the guy gets married, his parents pay.
so in current time, most parents have become understanding & reasonable when they realise that the couples are paying themselves. so if the parents demand too much things, the person who suffer in the end wld be the couple...
anyhow, there are alot of conflicts managing views on both sides.. is never easy. we being more educated & more sensible just have to moderate the expectation on both sides.. wat is most impt is "peace"
congrats to each n every1 of u gals here.
've fun gals!!! 
