Almost a year has passed since Wifey and I wrestled with our last wedding-related quandary — nearly enough time for us to be able to look back on it and laugh. But, truth be told, that blessed day is still so near that we can easily recall the giddy excitement of the main event — as well as drudge up the stress related to the months of pre-matrimonial planning.

I am, and always have been, one of those guys who has lots of friends in the fairer sex. So when I wasn't wrangling with Wifey over aisle runners or table settings, I was frantically scrolling for friends on my cellphone, ducking into coworkers cubes, and calling up my sisters asking, “Why, why, why!?” Planning my wedding started to remind me of that epic boxing match in Rocky, and these women were the Micks, Pauleys, and Apollo Creeds in my corner.

But more frustrating than picking a color scheme for invitations was that Wifey had no corresponding cabal of her own. When head table negotiations got heated, she turned to her cabinet, the Rah-Rah Girls, asking questions like, “Why is Kevin such a jerk?” and getting insightful answers such as, “Yeah, Kevin is such a jerk!” Since you cannot answer a 'why' question with a 'yes' (or even a 'yeah'), I've decided to intervene on behalf of all the misguided brides out there.

Brides-to-be, let me be your man--your Bridesman. Ever wonder why your fiancé is adamant about having a unity candle? Allow me to shed some light. Can't talk your man out of wanting New York Yankee-related wedding favors? Let me take a swing at that one. Are you and your betrothed bickering about honeymoon plans? I can punch that ticket too. Feel free to send me questions on any matrimonial matter at oneman@wegobridal.com. I may not be an expert on centerpieces, but I know exactly how fellahs feel about them (answer: largely indifferent, but we react aversely to what we definitely don't like). In fact, here's two questions I've faced recently:

It's two weeks before my wedding, the deadline for final head count has passed, and my future mother-in-law asked if we could add four people to the guest list. Before we sent the invites out, we asked her five times to tell us who she wanted to include. I'm dead-set against making an effort to add these people, and that upsets my fiancé. If these people were so important, my mother-in-law would have thought of them in the beginning. My fiancé and I are fully paying for the wedding ourselves — we have not asked for a dime from either family. How far backwards do I bend to accommodate her request? — A Bride in Turmoil

Dear Bride: That you asked 'how far do I bend' implies that you're going to accommodate her regardless — so just do it already. But there are some things to consider before you shuffle the seating chart. For example, how important are these guests to your man? If he thinks they are sure-fire invites who were victimized by an oversight, you'll both have to take it on the chin and put up the cash to add them to the guest list. But if not, now might be a good time to hit up the future in-laws for a contribution. It's admirable that you two crazy kids are funding this blessed event on your own, but no one who loves you wants you to begin your life together in the hole. More important than money, however, is the toll you're willing to charge on your relationship with your future mother-in-law. Disagreeing over the Dittmeyers' invitation could set the table for a lifetime of disputes. I suggest you wait until there's something worth arguing about — like whose stuffing recipe you’re using at Thanksgiving — to crack open that mighty rift.