There comes a time, usually around your mid to late 20s, when it feels as though everyone you know is getting married. You've barely decided on what gift to get one couple when another save the date invite finds its way onto your doormat and a Facebook notification informs you that another friend has changed their relationship status to engaged. Aside from the financial burden that attending several weddings in the same year can have, for unmarried Christians who desire to get wed one day, such periods can also weigh heavy on the heart.
While it's standard practice for couples to take a marriage preparation course, there's no such equivalent for their single guests - who will attend on average three weddings a year. So, what can single Christians do to get through wedding season with their joy and self-worth in tact?
Pray
When you're on your third wedding of the year, you don't want to be saying "I'm so happy for you both" through gritted teeth. Reminding yourself of the spiritual benefits of being single, the destructive nature of jealousy and the importance of letting love guide your interactions with others by reading and meditating on Bible verses will help you stay spiritually strong. Don't be afraid to discuss how you feel with a friend and pray about it either.
Save
The financial cost of attending the wedding season is highly documented. This year alone, millennial wedding guests will spend around $893 per wedding, according to American Express Spending & Saving Tracker. As a single the costs incurred as a result of accepting a wedding invitation are more acutely felt. Putting aside some cash as soon as you accept the invite, cutting back on costs by buying a vintage outfit and sharing a hotel room with a friend will lessen the financial burden and free you up to enjoy the celebrations, without resenting the strain on your bank balance.
Get involved
If you're keen to get married one day, then spending time with your friends in the lead up to their big day will be incredibly enlightening. By all means offer assistance but ask questions too. Weddings may primarily be about two people but when they take place in the presence of a community of family and friends, everyone is and should be investing in them. Even if it's not something you aspire to do, being supportive to the couple beyond the big day by praying with them and taking on any other wedding related duties is a wonderful way to put your faith in action.
Make being thankful for your single status part of your routine
You might not want to be single forever but you ignore the benefits it has at your own peril. Even if you have a burning desire to get married, there are a great number of things to be grateful for. Alone time, the freedom to independently make major life choices and the availability to play a significant role in your church are just three benefits of singledom that married couples are rarely afforded. Don't just simply acknowledge the pros of being single, take advantage of them. Appreciating what you have will help to offset any twinges of jealousy which might arise during this time.
