Here's some advice for the wedding night and beyond from the book "Where to Seat Aunt Edna: And 500 Other Great Wedding Tips" (Hundreds of Heads Books, www.hundredsofheads.com, $13.95), straight from people who've done it.
“You just got married. You are in love. Love her! Treat her like she is your princess; like she is gold; like there is no other woman in the world. Focus on her and love her. You will only have one honeymoon.”
—Aaron Blank, Seattle
Number of wedding guests: 125
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“We were so exhausted after the wedding, which went very late, that I really didn’t want to get frisky on my wedding night at all. But it would just have been so sad not to consummate the marriage right away. So we had half-hearted sex. I recommend saving some energy and leaving the reception early if you want a more memorable first-time-as-husband-and-wife romp in the hay.”
— Ellen, Kirkland, Wash.
Number of wedding guests: 175
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“Bring extra luggage if you’re going someplace with good shopping.”
— M.G., Alameda, Calif.
Number of wedding guests: 140
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“Do not forget to plan for your wedding night. Believe me, it will not be romantic just because it’s your wedding night. You will be exhausted, emotionally drained and tempted to fall into a comfy cuddle and sleep. I was lucky — my mother, who gave us our hotel room as a gift, made sure there were rose petals and champagne waiting for us, something to inspire us to slow down and be romantic.”
—G.S., Brisbane, Australia
Number of wedding guests: 400
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“Don’t let the groom pass out! I envisioned a romantic wedding night, but my groom drank so much he passed out before we were able to be sexy newlyweds.”
—Aleah Cline, San Francisco
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“Buy a piece of art or furniture — something significant — on your honeymoon so that you’ll have something tangible to look at and remind you of how exciting it felt to be a newlywed. The painting we bought in Florence is not the most expensive thing in our house, but it is the most precious to me.”
—M.G., Alameda, Calif.
Number of wedding guests: 140
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© 2006, Hundreds of Heads Books, Inc.