According to Anna Post:

She suggests asking the couple for permission and letting them preview the photos that include them or their family. Getting permission isn't mandatory, but Ms. Post is absolute about one thing: "Never, ever [post] any photos that would show the bride and groom or the wedding in an unkind or unflattering light."

If friends and family do post pictures that aren't your favorites, remember that they're probably not trying to offend you but, rather, trying to share with others how much fun they had at your wedding.

This is especially a hot topic because people are losing their jobs over photos posted by other people on social networking sites.  These sites are not a private as you may think, and once something is on the Internet, there’s no taking it back.

Full story and more advice at http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10116/1053062-51.stm.

One of Anna Posts's most recent books deals with etiquette in the modern age, and is available from Amazon (we are asked all the time if a bride has to carry white flowers, and no, she doesn’t):

"I do not think asking permission is 'sweet.' I don't find it adorable," said Jaclyn Geller, author of "Here Comes the Bride: Women, Weddings, and the Marriage Mystique," a feminist critique of the institution of marriage and who views such practices as yet another celebration of patriarchy.

Another expert quoted in the article has this differing opinion:

"Asking the father first has changed its meaning," says Marilyn Olivera, senior editor, at TheWeddingChannel.com. "It's now a gesture of respect and good intentions, not about having to get permission."

The local families interviewed also differed on their feelings about being asked, with opinions ranging from joy to dissuading the prospective son-in-law from asking.  It's an interesting read, and probably one which will trigger some emotions one way or another.

A recent article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette talked about tacky behavior in public.  The lead-in talked about stolen wedding cookies:

Heather Vaill had 1,500 of her mother's most delectable homemade cookies set out at her wedding reception several years ago.

"Thumbprints, pizzelles, ladylocks -- all the good stuff," she recalls.

Even with more than 200 guests, the bride still was surprised the sweet treats went so quickly.

"I was disappointed when [a few hours into the reception] I went to get a cookie -- one stinking cookie -- and the trays held nothing but crumbs," says Ms. Vaill, 36, of Plum.

She later learned a cousin had brought Tupperware containers to the reception and absconded with a sizable amount of her wedding cookies.

"A few months later, this same tacky cousin served the cookies she stole at her mother's wedding reception!"

Oh my!  Read the full story at http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07121/782297-51.stm.  The expert interviewed founded a website full of more:

Jeanne Hamilton, who catalogs thousands of tacky tales spanning the depth and breadth of human rudeness on her Web site, www.etiquettehell.com , says America's self-centered, me, me, me culture is to blame for the erosion of class.

EtiquetteHell.com is both hilarious and depressing, with years of stories about weddings and everyday events.  Both ways, there's plenty to read.

We weren't part of this wedding, but it did happen practically in our back yard:

(KDKA) CHERRY TWP. A Butler County man is behind bars after becoming a real-life wedding crasher at his own daughter's wedding over the weekend.

Police say Thomas Gulish became intoxicated and irate after seeing underage drinking happening at his daughter's wedding reception Saturday in Cherry Township, Butler County.

After throwing a chair at his wife and striking her daughter, he then jumped into his pickup truck and drove the vehicle directly into the wedding tent.

Fortunately, no one was injured.  Full story at http://kdka.com/topstories/local_story_114232702.html.

What is the proper etiquette when writing wedding invitations when the father of the bride is deceased and the mother of the bride has not remarried? Would it be Mrs. John Doe or Mrs. Jane Doe or Ms. Jane Doe?

We have seen invitations worded with all of the choices that you listed.  However, after consulting with Carlson Craft (a large invitation printer), they advised us that the correct etiquette is to use Mrs. John Doe.  The sample they gave is "Mrs. William Lewis Baker requests the honour of your presence at the marriage of her daughter Barbara Ann"

Weddings are always a little tough when parents have passed on, and our hearts go out to everyone who faces this.  Best wishes.

You've visited your favorite store, and used the scan guns to zap your wish list items, gone online to register at all your favorite stores, and have lengthy lists of gifts you're ready to welcome into your home. Now, how do you let your guests know where to find the perfect wedding gift? Many families are tempted to include registry information with the invitation, but this is absolutely not acceptable. You are inviting these guests to witness and share in your wedding ceremony and celebration -- gifts aren't even to be expected (although always great to receive!). The best way to spread the registry news is through good old word-of-mouth -- friends, family members and other wedding party members usually end up knowing and talking to other guests, and the chain of information spreads quickly. It is also acceptable to send registry information with the bridal shower invitations. After all, the intent and purpose of the event is to "shower" the bride with gifts that will help her in her new home and relationship. So, make sure your bridesmaids know where you are registered, and let them handle some of the responsibility!  

Ask a question, suggest a future topic or send a comment to us at info@bloomeryweddings.com.