My husband and I are married not because I said, “I do,” but because he said, “I’ll do it.”

Being the modern, liberated, well-educated woman that I am, I never thought I would mind the man in my life going to a strip club. Years ago, I would even occassionally join my guy friends for an evening at a gentlemen’s club. It meant free cocktails all night, and have you ever seen the ladies’ room at a strip club?  The restrooms are girly bonanzas that range between the cosmetics aisle at a drug store to a miniature Sephora. Plus, strippers on their bathroom breaks have the best gossip. “Desperate Housewives”? “Days of Our Lives”? Child’s play in comparison.

One thing I learned before I got married is that nobody loves to talk about weddings more than women who just got married. They’ll grab on to any socially acceptable opportunity to relive their experiences. Now, I’m one of those women who’s full of tips on how to get through your wedding day. One day, maybe you can pass a few of these dos and don’ts on to the next girl when you go to blab about your wedding.

Before my husband and I could have a Catholic wedding, we had to attend Pre-Cana. It’s like Driver’s Ed. for engaged Catholic couples. In theory, it’s a great idea. Couples are counseled en masse on a wide-range of topics, including compatibility and conflict resolution within marriage, the theological meaning of marriage, and Catholic rules couples might like to follow (like those regarding birth control). But we weren’t too excited about the prospect of our Pre-Cana.

Most “Mad Men” fans know Christina Hendricks as the sultry bombshell Joan Holloway. Now, fans also know her as actor Geoffrey Arend’s new fiance. But we’re pretty sure most fans don’t know the five following facts about Hendricks.

Egads! Jessica “Washingtonienne” Cutler, the former congressional staffer who blogged about her DC sex-for-money frolics with various political appointees, is engaged. Now 30, Cutler plans to marry Manhattan lawyer Charles Rubio. (He looks, um, nice?) Since Wonkette‘s Ana Marie Cox exposed the identity of the once anonymous sex blogger, Cutler wrote a book, got sued by an ex-lover, declared bankruptcy, and is having her torrid tale turned into an HBO series by none other than Sarah Jessica Parker. (“Sex and the City” meets “The West Wing”?) So how did the lovebirds, who plan to wed next month in a city hall ceremony, meet? “Randomly in a bar,” she reveals. “I was so wasted,” she adds. “I wish I had a more romantic story to tell you!” Us, too, Jessica. Us, too. [Gawker]

If you thought that Bridezillas we’re bats%&t crazy, just wait until you hear how the average engaged woman feels about doin’ it before she says “I do!” According to the New York Post, a whopping 53% of brides-to-be won’t have sex with their future spouse for at least a month before their wedding. Forty-two-percent said they have also put a stop to any hanky-panky. Seriously?! Ladies, it’s not like you’re going to get your hymen to grow back in time to wear the white dress.  You’ve already tried his family jewels on for size.  Why should you deny yourself passion during these highly romantic/stressful times? Give it up, turn it loose! No wonder brides are always so up tight about floral arrangements and grooms go nuts at their bachelor parties! Come to think of it, I guess now I know what the “something blue” refers to. [NY Post]

Kate Moss is already breaking the status quo by being an in-demand model at 34, but now she’s even upped the independent woman anty by buying her own engagement ring. Kate’s main man, fiancé, Jamie Hince, is half of the indie rock band The Kills. But compared to Moss, anyone’s success would be modest—unlike the almost $200,000 bauble she just got herself. The sexy supermodel purchased a platinum ring in the shape of an ankh, the Egyptian symbol for life. The hot couple has been together since last August, got engaged a couple weeks ago in a pub in Amsterdam, and plans to marry this summer. Hopefully, the new engagement ring will stay on her finger alone because her last fiancé, Pete Doherty, had to have it hacked off his hand. [ Daily Telegraph ]

Although Benjamin Franklin had a hand in a lot of great American accomplishments, he never put the moves on Betsy Ross, the lady who stitched the first flag—that is, until now.  Philadelphia’s favorite Benjamin Franklin impersonator, Ralph Archbold, is engaged to the best Betsy Ross impersonator, Linda Wilde.  Oddly enough, the couple met at a wedding on September 1st, the same date our forefather Franklin married his wife in 1730. The betrothed modern day Betsy and Benjamin are both widowers with an interest in history, role-playing, and costuming. My Jewish grandmother would call them bashert, but the serendipity of it all doesn’t require Yiddish. Congratulations to the happy historical couple!  [Santa Cruz Sentinel]