6 Tips For Going To A Wedding Alone & Surviving It | British Vogue

But, before you start inventing wild excuses as to why you can’t attend, take a deep breath and consider the following. The above is the worst-case scenario; you can survive this day — albeit an intense one — with your sense of self-worth intact. So with that in mind, here are six useful tips to going to a wedding alone and having a ball:

1. Consider asking for a plus one

If you had a romantic partner, costs would be covered, so why not a close friend, or even a parent? First and foremost, be tactful. Do it well in advance to allow for planning and mostly be honest about why you’re asking. You want to celebrate this day with the happy couple to the fullest, rather than going for ‘downtime’ breathers in the bathroom. Failing that, if you’re truly attending solo, prime the WhatsApp group chat; your friends will keep the festivities in perspective.

Read more: Single Minded: The Difference Between Being Single And Being Alone

2. Keep an open mind

See strangers as an opportunity for conversation. Make the most of the day and, since it’s not about you, don’t let it define you. You’re there as a valued part of the couple’s lives; celebrate your friend’s happy union and enjoy the spectacle for what it is. Sometimes it can be nice to stand peacefully on the sidelines.

3. Be prepared

If you’re going to a wedding without a plus one, you will be talking to people you don’t know. It’s not easy entering a room full of strangers, but the great thing about weddings is that every guest will know at least one of the newlyweds, which is your common ground. Start by asking who they know and how; weddings are celebratory, so most people will be in the mood to talk.

4. Dress the part

One of the simplest ways to combat nerves is to feel your best when you leave the house. Want your skin to glow? Treat yourself. Own a glittering eyeshadow that makes you grin? Wear it on the day. Find an outfit that makes you feel truly comfortable in your own skin — both literally and figuratively. Attending a wedding single can amp up the urge to ‘impress’, but it’s more impressive when you feel confident and at ease, not restricted in something that requires regular bathroom adjustments. I wore a silk pyjama-esque suit to wedding solo once, which made me feel wonderfully relaxed, not to mention a little bolder for actually doing it.

5. Do your background work

If you’re worried about who you’ll get stuck next to at the meal, ask for pre-wedding intel. Table seating is generally a high-stakes diplomatic undertaking, planned with military precision to ensure maximum joviality and minimal meltdowns. But if you casually tease out a bit of background ahead of time, such as whose table you’ll be on and a little information about neighbouring guests, that way you can feel prepared — maybe there’ll be some common-ground to mine.

6. Embrace being solo

Whether you’re happily single or otherwise, sometimes a wedding can make others treat you like a sports player who’s eagerly waiting to make it on to the team — watch out for attempts to pair you off with another single wedding guest. Attending a wedding on your own has its benefits: you’ll meet twice as many new people; you won’t have to look after a partner; and you can slip off whenever you want. And when you do get in the taxi home, remember you found the courage to come alone. And that you — and just you — were more than enough.