Wedding invitations are great when you're part of a couple. There's no question of who will be your date, who you'll dance with on slow or fast songs, who you'll be seated next to, or whether or not you can give a joint gift. It's handled. Not so if you are single by circumstance or by choice. Most people who are single don't want to go to a wedding alone. You're most likely going to be surrounded by every friend and family member you know all poking and prodding and asking you who you came with or questioning why you didn't come with anyone. It's intrusive and worst of all, acceptable for guests to do to you because "its a wedding." Unfortunately, finding a date, especially one last minute be it a friend or an actual date doesn't always work out, but much like an awful bridesmaids dress or rent a tux, sometimes for the sake of the few people at the wedding you do like or love, you have to suck it up and have a go at it for their sakes, and for the sakes of free cake and alcohol, which you'll have plenty of, thank you very much!
So how exactly do you do this thing? How do you brave the choppy waters of a wedding by your lonesome and get out with your dignity intact? Strategy my friend.
Step One: Do look amazing. You may not have someone to personally impress, but you'll be in every picture and potential 'prey' for other singles at the wedding, so don't throw it away just because you feel no one will care. Single doesn't mean you disappear.
Step Two: Arrive close to start time. Nothing is more awkward than arriving early and having to make the endless rounds of small talk where inevitably you'll be asked...when are you getting married? Where's your bf/gf? Are you here...alone? Nope don't do it. Make it so you can rush in last minute and squeeze into a row full of people you hopefully don't know or don't know all that well...meaning they will be less likely to ask these intrusive questions.
Step Three: Seriously, set out to make a friend or friends. Keep in mind, even if people are coupled up, not everyone is totally into a wedding. You'll find a few people on the sides that you can chat with or get to know. I went to a wedding once where most guests were from out of state and one of the groomsman, though married with kids, became my best friend for the night because his wife had to stay back home with their sick kid and both he and I felt sort of awkward in a room where 95% of the people were disgustingly coupled up. I had THE most amazing time because he was a good dancer revving up the crowd and center of attention and extremely funny. We spent half the night making jokes about the wedding. I never saw or talked to him ever again, but it made what could have been a boring and awkward wedding actually memorable.
Step Four: Or, become the most amazing helper for the Bride and Groom. Is the photog struggling to get a group shot, do gifts need to be taken to the car, does your cousin need to go to the bathroom, did the bride need a major touch up of her make-up? Become a busy bee helping out where necessary. There is always something that needs a touch, or help, or a last minute run for more supplies. This will help pass a portion of the time and keep you away from the dreaded singles table.
Step Five: Or, dance like everyone is watching. Every jam, every fast song, every group dance, make it happen. Grab people hanging on the sides and ask to dance, dance with the bride/groom, dance with your little nephews, dance with the hot guy/girl. Great way to get noticed or just to simply enjoy the experience.
Step Six: Or, find the kiddos. All the parents at this wedding just want to relax and they don't have a baby sitter so they spend half their time having to keep one eye peeled on what their kids are doing. If you love kids, make it a point to be their self-appointed baby sitter. Engage them all in dancing to songs in a circle, or coloring in the provided coloring books, or you can offer to watch someone's baby so they can enjoy themselves. Kids won't be the ones to ask...where is your date? They are much more interested in telling you about the scary movie they saw or spitting up on themselves, or pretending to be invisible.
Don't feel like it's the end of the world just because you are going to a wedding alone. You can still have fun, it can still be memorable for all the right reasons, you can avoid just hanging with the other singles. All it takes is a little effort on your part and a willingness to let the title of "single girl," or "single guy" not be what makes you feel like your life is over or useless or meaningless because you aren't a +1
What Girls & Guys Said
Opinion
3Opinion
Was on my cousin wedding alone. had good fun. Drunk 0,5 l vodka and went out after 4 am. No need to stress your self over the bullshit.
Step 2 is solid advice for anyone, single or otherwise.
I had a good time at other peoples weddings going alone. Not enough to want my own.