How to Survive Wedding Season When You’re Single
When you get an invite to a friend’s nuptials, you know you’ve gotta go. But sending the RSVP without a plus one is still a little painful. You’re obvs going to rock a celeb-approved wedding guest outfit, but you’re getting a tad nervous about attending solo. Good news! We chatted with Wedding Paper Divas Style and Etiquette Expert Amber Harrison, who shared her trusty tips. Check out her methods for surviving wedding season when you’re single.
1. Don’t panic. You pluck the invite to your childhood bestie’s wedding from the mail and notice that your name isn’t followed by “and guest.” Don’t freak! This is not a reason to decline. Weddings are a great way to make new friends, and it’s totally possible to have fun flying solo. Harrison reminds us that it’s important to support your friend on her big day since there’s definitely a reason you were included on the guest list.
2. Look fierce. It’s time to get your glam on. When you feel confident, it’s easier to approach situations with confidence. Go into the wedding feeling like your hautest self, and you’re bound to enjoy the day a million times more. Plus, you never know what other singles may be in attendance!
3. Avoid being glued to your phone. It’s tempting to bury yourself in endless Insta scrolling when you feel uncomfortable, or you’re trapped in a crowd of strangers. But to make the most of a situation, you should really unplug. Consider going all-in and ditching your cell in the car. It’ll make you much more approachable and open you up for a solid convo with new friends.
4. Make friends with your tablemates. It’s likely that at least a few of the people at your table are feeling as awkward as you are, if not more so! Take on the role of icebreaker extraordinaire and think through some basic convo topics ahead of time. It could be anything from how you know the bride and groom to fave moments with the newlyweds and funniest wedding stories. When there’s a lull in the chat, you’ll be prepared.
5. Explore. If you have to travel for a wedding, treat it like a mini vacay. See the sites, try new restaurants, read a book outside, and snap some great pics with your selfie stick.
6. Dance in group numbers. As lame as it might sound, get yourself onto the dance floor for group hustles like “The Cupid Shuffle” and “Cotton Eye Joe.” This will get you moving and interacting with others without the awkwardness of trying to get your groove on with strangers. Once you’re out there, you’ll have some dance floor camaraderie that will keep you jiving all night long.
7. Have fun. You are here to celebrate love and the blossoming future of someone you care about, so go ahead and let loose. You are never as awkward as you feel, so have fun and don’t take yourself too seriously.
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(Photo via Getty)