Sex

Being a wedding guest doesn't guarantee you'll have suitors falling over you left and right, but there's a reason wedding hookups are a stereotype. Receptions tend to be full of young, single people — mostly friends and friends of friends — who have romance on the brain and a dance floor nearby. Here are 10 rules to help you succeed at a quickie courtship and ensure you don't embarrass yourself in the process.

1. Show up single. Even if your invitation welcomes a plus one, showing up without a date — even a friend date — makes it more likely you'll go home with one.
2. Ask for help. Nudge in-the-know members of the wedding party to point out potential paramours or, better yet, seat you next to them.
3. Be focused. Figure out who's single (one advantage of the dreaded singles table) and center your efforts on the one who strikes your fancy. Nothing says gauche like a girl flirting with every guy on the dance floor.
4. Speaking of the dance floor, go there. You'll have more opportunity to mingle than if you park yourself by the food table, and even if you don't meet someone, at least you'll have fun.
5. Know when to back off. If your flirtation isn't reciprocated, let it go. Being pushy is even more off-putting with a roomful of people watching.
6. Get tipsy, but don't get drunk. If it loosens you up to knock back some bubbly, fine, but don't set yourself up for slurred speech and wardrobe malfunctions.
7. Confirm single status. Before bedding down with anyone, please, confirm that he or she is single. This rule is essential when your pool of potential hookups includes the friends and family of the bride and groom.
8. Get a room, or something. Even if the entire reception has watched you flirt doesn't mean they have to witness your PDA too. Keep it classy.
9. Don't show up to the wedding brunch in your dress from the night before. Enough said.
10. Also, save the kissing and telling for later. If you want to dish with your friends about your conquest, save it for after the wedding-related festivities.

Share your tips (and your juicy wedding hookup stories) below.

We're happy to present this story from one of our favorite sites, The Knot. Avoiding social media pitfalls in regards to your wedding can be tricky. Here are five things to look out for!

Facebook has changed the way you plan your wedding. Here are five common social mishaps and how to avoid them from the moment you say "yes."

Related: Comebacks to the rudest wedding questions

1. Someone in your family found out on Facebook.
As soon as you change your status (woot!), there's a family member or friend who's mad they didn't get the announcement via phone.
Our advice: Before you officially change your Facebook status, call your immediate family and closest friends with the news. Other friends and not-so-close relatives might appreciate a heartfelt email with the good news and your engagement story.

Related: 10 worst real wedding nightmares

2. A so-called friend left a snarky comment on your Facebook wall about your ring photos.
Those ring photos that you posted in post engagement bliss? Apparently, a sapphire is "just not their style."
Our advice: Take the high road and ignore the comment. This would be the perfect time to clean closet and hide this person from your feed. (PS: We think sapphires are stunning.)

Related: 10 ways to ruin a wedding

3. People assume they're invited to your wedding because you're Facebook friends.
For some, it's hard to draw the line between friend and Facebook friend. Those who aren't invited will inevitably post on your wall about their wedding invitation that's lost in the mail.
Our advice: Refrain from sharing every detail of your wedding on Facebook. If (and when) you get the self-invited guest post on your wall, let them know that your venue and budget can only allow for a certain number of guests. (Hint: It's not them.)

Related: 25 unusual honeymoon hot spots

4. Some think that Facebook is the new RSVP card.
It's hard to believe but we've heard of more than one couple who's received a casual, "We'll be there. And so will our four-plus guests," Facebook message.
Our advice: Respond by asking them to return their card (that one with the stamp). This would also be the perfect time to politely inform them that you've reserved two seats in their honor and can't wait to party together on your wedding day.

Related: Secrets to a fun wedding reception

5. Facebook has made prewedding party privacy a thing of the past.
The bridal shower photos that were posted by your maid of honor might have a third cousin peeved because she didn't get an invite. And those bachelorette pics from your not-so-innocent Vegas trip gave everyone from your office a good laugh.
Our advice: Everyone loves sharing photos from wedding events — you'll have tons of fun ones throughout your engagement. Create a wedding group on Facebook from the beginning to avoid hurt feelings and oversharing.

— The Editors of TheKnot.com

We're happy to present this post from our partner site Yahoo! Shine:

According to an American Express survey of 1,518 people, guests will spend an average of $539 per wedding this year — and that's just to attend the event, not to be a member of the wedding party. The wallet-busting figure is up $200 from 2012, when guests reported shelling out an average of $329 on clothes, hotel rooms, and gifts.

The real cost is probably even higher given the estimates for some of the costs. The credit card company says that guests will budget just $57 for new clothes, $27 for a babysitter or pet sitter, and $95 for a hotel room—all of which seems astoundingly low, even for a local event. Members of the bridal party can count on spending a little bit more, thanks to slightly higher clothing costs: about $577 per wedding, according to American Express.

Attending a wedding soon? Learn a few money-saving tips after the jump.

Talking about your ex with a new guy may feel like the ultimate don't, but sharing some insights into your past relationships might actually be a good thing. And although you definitely don't want to hear all the nitty-gritty details of each other's past relationships, learning about those connections — and fallouts — could bring you closer together. Before you agree on a no-ex-talk ultimatum, take a look at these surprising benefits of opening up.

• You can better understand each other's relationship habits. Regularly find yourself annoyed whenever he gets jealous, defensive, or overly protective? If you learn some of the pitfalls of each other's past relationships, it'll help you both understand where the other's coming from, and as silly as it sounds, you can find comfort in the fact that it's not you — it's the exes.
• You open the doors to other kinds of communication. Honest, open dialogue in one area of your relationship could trigger a domino effect, leading to more candid conversations altogether. Once you've relayed the ins and outs of your previous heartbreaks, you'll have broken down a barrier in your relationship. From there, you may feel more comfortable talking about sex, insecurities, or other topics that made you nervous in the past.
• You learn where each other's insecurities lie. Knowing what didn't work for each other in the past can help you avoid those hot-button topics or issues. If, for instance, he ended things with his ex because she became too dependent, you can make a genuine effort to build up your own independent lifestyle.

The bottom line: Opening up about your past relationships doesn't have to mean opening up a can of worms. If you stick to an honest, considerate line of communication, ex talk can actually bring you closer together.

We're happy to present this excerpt from one of our favorite sites, The Good Men Project. Sexually frustrated men often claim that women hold the sex card. Life coach Steve Horsmon disagrees.

Since before we were born, we men have been aware of our emerging sexuality. Sonograms have proven that we become "in touch" with our pleasure points right from the start.

If you are like most men, and like me, a large part of your life has been spent thinking, wondering, and worrying about how those pleasure points will be satisfied. You likely imagined that the solution was ultimately in the control of others — specifically, women.

How "Friends With Benefits" Can Backfire on Men

The sexual epiphany I am talking about is the point in a man's life when thinking, wondering, and worrying changes into leading, romancing and enjoying. This epiphany does not just happen with age. It must be earned. It is simple but not easy. If it were easy, every guy would be doing it and would be happy with his sex life.

Your transition from horny to happy is based in your transition from expecting things from your wife to expecting things from yourself. This personal transformation is part of the journey which is full of surprises.

This change brings the brand new benefit of having more self-confidence, more self-respect, and more control over your emotions.

When you discover these feelings and learn how to consistently expect them of yourself, something else changes. I hear this from frustrated wives all the time.

Your sex appeal shoots through the roof! You achieve the status of "sexy man." Your wife sees you in a new attractive light which is the only light that allows her to see you this way. In fact, many other women notice as well — wherever you are. You morph into that man other guys envy and women adore. And until now, you had no idea that it had everything to do with how you think about yourself.

Read the rest of the story: A Married Man's Sexual Epiphany

• I'm In Love With My Friend . . . But She Has a Boyfriend
• Marriage Is Not About You
• Are Some Men Intimidated by Strong Women?
• Making Love All Day Long

Who doesn't need more money? We've given you many ideas to earn extra income, but sometimes there are intangible factors you may or may not have control over that affect your salary. Thankfully, we have scientists hard at work in their labs trying to figure out the answers for us. Here are various results of research studies of the things that impact income:

• Height: An Australian study found that 6-foot men earned $1,000 more than guys who were two inches shorter. "Taller people are perceived to be more intelligent and powerful," says the study.
• Regular exercise: People who work out regularly, according to a study in the Journal of Labor Research, earn nine percent more than their couch potato peers. Perhaps your monthly gym membership is literally paying off.
• Popularity in high school: Being well-liked in high school isn't something we can change right now, but if you were one of the cool kids, you're in luck. A National Bureau of Economic Research study says people who were among the top fifth most popular students in high school, earn a 10 percent premium on salary four decades later compared with the bottom fifth.
• When you marry: College-educated women who marry past their 30s make more income, while men who marry earlier see more financial benefits, according to a study by the National Marriage Project. One reason could be: women who marry earlier tend to have kids earlier as well, which forces them to take a break from their career during a period when they'll see a lot of growth. As for men, perhaps those who marry earlier tend to be more secure and confident than their single friends, leading to higher productivity.

Read on for more.