When it comes to weddings—whether you’re planning your own big day or you’re simply a guest—the unwritten etiquette rules seem to be everywhere. But which ones can you toss to the side and which ones should you follow? It can feel like a maze sometimes, so we called in some help. Nancy Mitchell, founder of the Etiquette Advocate, came in for a live chat on Thursday to help us navigate the tricky dos and don’ts of everything wedding.

After 23 years as the Library of Congress’s chief protocol adviser and director of special events and public programs, Nancy used that experience to start her own etiquette consulting business. She advises and trains everyone from brides to corporations and government agencies on the rules of protocol and etiquette. The newest task on her list? Advising her own daughter, Sallie, who is planning a September 2009 wedding.

From both sides of the (wedding) aisle, our readers had a long list of questions for Nancy. How can you politely ask for money? (You can’t.) How do you navigate family politics? (Carefully.) If you missed the chat, read all of Nancy’s etiquette advice in the transcript here.

Want more Washingtonian.com online chats? Check out past Q&As with everyone from bartenders to other wedding pros, and submit questions to upcoming chats.