One of my favorite aunts is very serious about thank-you notes. Serious to the point where you’re not getting a gift next year unless you send a note. So under my aunt’s example, I’ve grown up pretty cognizant of manners.

In fact, I think I was overconfident about my knowledge until I started preparing for Wedding Bonanza 2009. Since planning began, I’ve found myself asking what I should write on the shower invitation, whether to send separate invitations to people at the same address, and whether or not phallic-shaped cupcakes are really acceptable. To my mom’s great relief, I have found a couple of sources to turn to and help reduce the number of phone calls she’s getting from me.

I recently checked out two etiquette books that my mom swears by: the classic Amy Vanderbilt and an updated version of Letitia Baldrige. I have to say, there’s a world between those pages that I haven’t exactly conquered. So I picked out a few odd and interesting highlights in regards to bridal parties and manners.

In this economy, is this next craze in bridal registries? 

Britain's second-longest married couple celebrate their 80th anniversary.

They would have preferred just rain on their wedding day.

This Colorado couple mixes weddings and funerals all in a day's work.

 Wedding site The Knot goes local. 

Spicing up your special night.

My big fat drag wedding.

Picking the perfect beach destination.

With the wedding fast approaching, Andrew and I knew it was time to hit the stores for the planning event we were most looking forward to: creating our registry. The spoiled child inside me was just giddy to walk around a store and point to things we wanted to own, regardless of their practicality or price. I’ve been impatiently waiting to start the registry since the day we got engaged, so Andrew finally conceded as we trekked over to Macy’s on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

As we sat down with our registry consultant, she explained the many incentive programs that are associated with purchases. I retained very little of these explanations because all I was thinking while she spoke was “Give. Me. The. Gun.” My mind was prancing around the store, shooting that little registry gun at all the amazing items. When she went to hand us the gun and Andrew reached out, I quickly snatched it and just looked at him, and he clearly understood from that look that I’d be controlling the handheld machine.

Maybe she was inspired by Bristol Palin.

Don't hire this photographer for your wedding.

Horror stories to avoid on your big day. [via The Frisky] 

"Miracle" wedding for this Iraq war vet. 

Do's and don'ts for a destination wedding. [via Wedding Woo]

Winnie Cooper is off the market.  

An unexpected wedding disaster for 14 brides. 

A surprise TV wedding in store this season.