I attended my first wedding of the 2009 "wedding season" last weekend, and while it was lovely, it also made me realize that there are lots of wedding guest etiquette rules that some people need to be reminded of. Although I felt bad that my date and I had forgotten our gift for the lovely couple at home, I was reassured by our friend Shelley that there was no need to worry - we had one year to deliver our present.

Some of these wedding guest guidelines might seem pretty obvious, but since I heard a cell phone go off during the ceremony last weekend (!), a refresher sure couldn't hurt:

• Feel free to take pictures during the ceremony, but remember to turn off your flash. A bright flash of light is distracting to the couple and to everyone else trying to enjoy the big day. Even if you catch a "special moment," chances are, the wedding photographer caught it better.
• Along those same lines, Amy Kotches of St. Louis' Engaging Events by Amy reminds us to get our butts out of the way of the real photographer during the reception. She says that lots of photographers complain about missing out on great shots because a guest cut in front of them to take a photo of their own.
• Not only is sending the wedding gift to the bride and groom's home acceptable (instead of lugging it to the actual wedding), it's even preferred. It's not like they'll have time to open them the day of their wedding. According to some etiquette experts, you have up to one year to send the newlyweds a gift.
• Don't go overboard at the reception. Just because it's an "open bar" or a "buffet-style dinner," the bride and groom are counting on you to behave yourself. The bride's new grandmother-in-law doesn't want to see you hugging the porcelain, and people will be upset if you pile your plate high and some guests end up going hungry.
• Amy also reminds wedding guests to dress appropriately. Don't wear jeans or similarly casual things, and certainly don't dress like you're going out to a club. Be respectful of the event and where it's being held. And ladies, hopefully you know better than to wear white.
• If you're single and the invitation isn't addressed to you and a guest, it's considered very rude to phone the bride or groom and ask them for a "plus one." Chances are, they've put a lot of time and money into working out exactly how many guests they can afford to invite, and your flavor-of-the-week didn't make the cut.

If you have any more questions about what you can/can't do when you attend a wedding, this is a great resource. Any more rules of etiquette for guests you'd like them to keep in mind this wedding season?

How many times have you found yourself wondering what it would be like to spend your days at home, not answering to a boss and watching Ellen? Let's face it - guy and gals - the fantasy of being a stay at home Mom or Dad always sounds so appealing at the beginning of a work week.

Sounds like it would be great, until you read something like what was printed in the May 13, 1956 issue of Housekeeping Monthly. Here are just some of the jewels about wifely duties and advice for a long and happy marriage circa from the article "The Good Wife's Guide"

• "Over the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering for his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction."


• "Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him."


• "Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours."


• "Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or goes out to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his very real need to be at home and relax."


• "Don't complain if he's late home for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have been through that day."


• And finally, my favorite: "Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.

The magazine has many other suggestions for being a "Good Wife," but the wrap it all up by reminding readers that, "A good wife always knows her place."

This would have been a lesson for a newlywed circa 1956... boy I would have had a lot of trouble.

Things have gotten more complicated since the days when we pasted paper hearts and pasted doilies on shoeboxes to celebrate Valentines Day.  The days of wooing your crush by scribbling secret admirer riddles on punched out Care Bear cards are long gone, and we are in the land of flowers and steak dinners on the 14th.  With Valentines Day only two days away, you can almost see the sweaty palms and hear the nervous laughter already.

St. Louis' favorite Dr. Phil is back to dish out holiday dating advice just in time to stop us from committing the five biggest Valentine's Day dating faux-pas.

1. Don't succumb to the pressure! Dr. Phil says a new couples need to make Valentine's Day light, fun and easy.  He also recommends staying away from "suggestive" gifts... guys, I hope you kept those receipts.


2. Don't go too far, too soon. Basically, if you haven't gotten to second base yet, this is not your chance to advance. "Never alter the natural progression of the relationship by creating romance and expectations that are more intimate than the relationship is ready for," Dr. Phil said.


3. Put away the credit cards! A rather Suze Orman (minus the flipped-collar and obnoxious patterns), but Dr. Phil says it is sound dating advice for newly dating couples. Breaking the bank will probably make your date uncomfortable and you may be stuck with a bill that lasts longer than your relationship.


4. Be smart about your dating strategy. By this, Dr. Phil simply means the date should match the level the relationship is at. Smart if you think about it; bringing a first date to Tony's sets an expensive tone for the relationship, but taking a first date to the local VFW isn't any better.


5. Be romantic all year. It sounds cliché, but this tidbit has been so often repeated that there must be something to it. "make every day Valentine's Day in expressing your thoughts, feelings and kindness," Dr. Phil said.

Solid advice for newly dating and newlyweds, but you would be surprised about what people (meaning me) don't know.  I thought I was wise in the ways of the dating world, but according to the Dating Through The Ages quiz I still "have a lot of learn about dating then and now."

Dr. Phil Dembo has been a "love" psychologist for the last 30 years.  He started 1st Date StL, an online and local dating service.  He guarantees 12 matches and gives members dating advice along the way.