Wedding season is already well under way—bring on the fancy dresses, signature cocktails, and awesomely bad DJs! Unfortunately, opening each wedding invitation can also bring on dread and stress for the single gal. The prospect of attending a wedding without a date can be disheartening, but it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of ways flying solo at a wedding can be a blast.
The most important reason for single ladies to attend the wedding? Be a good friend to the bride or groom; help them celebrate their big day.
Looking for a few more reasons why hitting a wedding as a swinging single can be spectacular? Check out our list and keep it in mind as you head for the ceremony.
Going it alone can be a great way to meet someone special. “I have seen several stories on our Advice boards of singles who actually met their current squeezes at weddings,” says Jennie Assimos, Managing Editor of eHarmony Advice, the online dating service’s relationship advice site. “The day is all about love, so single guests are happy, joyous, and maybe even a little more open to the idea of new prospects,” adds Assimos. Get to the wedding on time to scope out who’s attending unattached.
Weddings are the perfect place to meet someone in you network of friends, and someone who already comes with a seal of approval from either the bride or the groom. Plus, because you already have friends in common, chit-chat can flow more freely. As a bonus, if you have your eye on someone at the reception, it’s easy to find out more about them. “Everyone at a wedding is known by the bride or groom so if you meet someone that interests you, you can get a little background information,” says Assimos. But be sure not to bug the bride about her guests on her big day—be patient and wait until she gets back from the honeymoon to grill her and her hubby.
The sheer awkwardness of introducing a new beau to the bride and groom while in the receiving line aside, weddings can be tricky when you bring just anyone in order to avoid being dateless. Being date-free means no messy introductions, no worrying about whether your partner is having a good time while you’re dancing with your friends, and no questions from strangers like “So when are you two getting married?”
“What I love about being the single girl at a wedding is that you can socialize as much or as little as you like, dance the night away with several handsome strangers, and just enjoy the special occasion without any of the uncomfortable pressures that the event could bring if you were on a date,” says Assimos, who has attended her share of weddings as both a single and with a plus-one.
Who doesn’t love getting dressed up every now and then? Weddings are the perfect excuse to buy a gorgeous dress, pull your favorite pair of shoes out of the closet, and try out a fun new makeup look. As a fringe benefit, when you love the way you look, you’re likely to feel great too, which always helps you put your best, well-heeled foot forward when you’re hoping to meet someone new!
Megan O'Neill is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia, PA. Her work has appeared in magazines such as Health, Self, Glamour, Real Simple, Natural Health and Spa.
