Wedding season is here and has actually come early this year. Usually, I can make it to the end of March, beginning of April before I start seeing happy couples, sparkling rings, and curly script e-vites fogging up my social media outlets. This year decided that love cannot wait.
Friends from high school, that one girl from your COMM class and family members (whether it be cousins or siblings) are all feeling the love and ready to commit themselves in holy matrimony till death do you blah, blah, blah. Well, that’s swell for them, but guess what: the stress of a wedding does not just fall on the potential bride and groom. The stress of weddings leaks down into friends and family as well. Especially the ones who aren’t married or even in a relationship. Receptions and weddings can be tough, bringing up a mix of emotions and anxiety.
Here are a few survival tips when you are feeling the stress setting in from the weddings popping up around you.
1. Seeing the post on social media, “I’m ENGAGED!!” And making it out to the reception.
You are scrolling mindlessly through Facebook, looking at #studentprobs posts and your (very healthy) obsession of cute animal picture, when suddenly you see it. Those smiles, that filter… the ring. And then it hits you, your person, your friend, your ex, your family, your whatever is getting engaged.
Don’t feel bad about hiding posts you don’t want to see anymore. You can be happy and over the moon for your person and their soon-to-be spouse, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow all of their notifications every time someone decides to congratulate them.
Also, you are under no obligation to go to every single reception that you are mass invited to. That one kid you sat in English class with that one time in middle school will not be heartbroken if you miss their big day. Trust me, if you don’t feel up to putting on something nice and going to a reception for someone you barely know, you reserve the right to stay home and watch Netflix.
2. When stupid people decide to ask you dumb, personal and rude questions at the reception or leading up to it.
It happens every freaking time. You go into a reception, whether it be for a friend or family member and suddenly everyone who knows you (or thinks they know you) decide that such a happy occasion requires talking to you. It wouldn’t be bad if it was just to see how you were handling your adulting responsibilities, but no…they start to pry. Why aren’t you married yet? Don’t you ever think about your future and kids? Weren’t you dating that one guy, why didn’t it pan out? When are you and your boyfriend/girlfriend finally going to tie the knot? Doesn’t she look gorgeous? Have you ever thought about what you are going to wear at your wedding? How does it make you feel, watching your younger sister get married before you? Um… I feel hungry. Seriously, who the hell cares when and if I want to get married? Yes, my boyfriend and I are very happy, but it’s like we aren’t nearly as happy if we aren’t planning our wedding RIGHT THIS MINUTE.
Relax. Take a breather. Remind yourself that if you are in a relationship, it’s your relationship so that one girl from your high school can back off. If you’re single, you are rocking it with yourself. It’s nice to know that people are so concerned with your martial and relationship status, but my rule is: “If I wanted to tell you, I would post it on Facebook.”
3.The engagement gift, to give or not to give.
Now I know, we are all poor, starving college students and we are lucky if we have enough money at the end of the day to buy toilet paper and ramen. That being said, how in the world does our person of engagement expect us to buy gifts for their marriage??
Remember, gifts are traditionally given to a newly-wed couple to help the couple in their first little bit of marriage. It doesn’t mean you are under obligation to buy them a flat screen TV. The couple will appreciate any contribution you can make, even the inexpensive ones such as books, movies, CDs, pillows, and glasses. Plus, if you buy the happy couple Finding Dory, I’m sure no one else thought about giving them that. But I’m sure they might receive five toasters.
4. The Party.
Okay, so you made it through the engagement e-vite, ignoring the dumb people who are also at the reception, and your pretty wrapped DVD is on the gift table. Now, what do you do? YOU FREAKING PARTY!!
Dance like there is no tomorrow. Chat up all the cuties or spend time with your date. Laugh a lot. Take pictures. And eat all the food! Well…maybe not all the food, but do enjoy the freeness of it. You are a starving college student after all.