You know the feeling.
Along with the dread of having to get your legs out (female) or shake off your rusty dance moves (male), the worst thing about the wedding season for a single person is the spew of questions asking for details about your life. More specifically, about your dating life.
‘Do you have a someone special in your life yet?’
‘So when are you going to be getting married?’
‘What do you mean, you’re single? Someone should have snapped you up!’
Yes, it’s annoying. Well, possibly infuriating. You just have to remember that all those questions come from people who care about you and want you to be happy. They just happen to be really bad at phrasing. Still, here’s a quick fire guide from Free and Single to help you make the best of a bad situation!
Feel Good (or at least pretend!)
Even if you are attending, through some horrible act of invitational mishap, your ex-spouse/partner/significant other’s nuptials, you need to squash down any feelings of misery, low confidence and doom. If you can, take a friend who makes you laugh.
If you weren’t lucky enough to be gifted with a +1, plan something good for the day after and look forward to it. Any time you start feeling a bit gloomy during the ceremony, or lonely during the reception, or just plain sad? Think about your plans for the next day. Concentrate on them. Plan what you’ll do and how great it is going to be.
Look Great (invest in yourself!)
Now is the time for that expensive haircut or the new watch you’ve been eyeing up. Not only will it make you feel better, you’ll look better…which makes you feel better. It is a loop of happiness, all starting with putting a little time, effort or money into yourself. If you can, get a new outfit or wear one you know you look fabulous in. Now is not the time to fade into the background. Make sure you are comfy, prepared for rain or shine and ready to meet any situation that comes at you with grace and amiability.
Be Friendly (just keep smiling!)
Everyone remembers the grumpy ex in the corner, or the sulky single downing drinks at the bar for all the wrong reasons. Be the single who works the room, asks everyone how they know the happy couple, compliments everyone’s outfits – you know what I’m talking about.
If someone is impolite enough to demand when you’re going to be taking a trip down the aisle (I’m looking at you, Auntie!) have a come-back prepared. I like; ‘Why, are you offering?’ or ‘Oh no, are you and your husband divorcing? I always thought he was cute, thanks for the heads up!’ That last one might not quite come under the banner of friendly though…
