Engagement season is over. Wedding season is here. The wedding industrial complex remains alive and well. Singles who have friends and family members who are getting married this summer can see the wedding industrial complex in action as they shop and plan for their white wedding. The wedding industrial complex affects singles who want to get married by creating a list of requirements of what a wedding must have to have a memorable day. Summer is approaching and it brings the wedding season and the wedding industrial complex as brides and grooms plan their weddings.
Wedding Season And The Wedding Industrial Complex
The wedding industrial complex consists of everything that newly engaged couples are told that they need to have a memorable wedding. The list includes the wedding dress and tuxedo for the bride a groom, dresses and tuxedos for the wedding party, finding and paying for an event to perform the wedding ceremony, a location for new couple and their guests, a dj or live band, and providing food and drinks for the newlyweds bridal guests. The wedding industrial complex cost newlyweds $30,000 to $80,000 each year. While marriage is a good thing, it is problematic that couples believe that they needs to spend the average income that someone earns in a year to have a fairy tale white wedding. It is a special day, but it should not cost the newlyweds or their families an arm and a leg to pay to marry two people.
The wedding industrial complex encourages the soulmate theory by promising newlyweds that marriage is everything they will hope for so couples need to make a big ordeal from the engagement to the wedding. The engagement ring being the symbol of an engaged couples dates back to 1477, but it did not become popular until 1947 when De Beers launched the “A Diamond is Forever” campaign. This campaign, like the wedding industrial complex, created a need to a diamond engagement ring and other wedding sectors followed suit to create a need for couples to purchase wedding products and services. By connecting a product or service with true love and marriage, the wedding industrial complex was born. It is now part of a society that pushes dating, marriage, and Disney fairy tales on singles from birth.
Summary
Singles can resist and fight the dating and wedding industrial complex by first acknowledging that they are real. Singles who have friends and family who are getting married, tell them and let them know that there is no reason why they need to spend the median household income in the United States on a wedding. Singles can also learn facts about being single and educate others that the single life is a great life. Summer is near singles and summer brings wedding season and the wedding industrial complex.
Views expressed in this article are the author’s opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of Secure Single. It is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not investment or financial advice. James Bollen is the author of Thriving Solo: How to Flourish and Live Your Perfect Life (Without A Soulmate). Now available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon. Subscribe to Secure Single’s Substack for free!
It’s wedding season, and you know what that means: funny looking bridesmaid dresses, potential hook ups, and those prodding questions about why you’re still single. Whether it be at your childhood friends wedding or your cousin from your hometown, people are going to ask. Here is a quick survival guide on how to navigate the waters when you’re single as fuck and at a wedding.
Will You Be In My Wedding?
Of course, you’re flattered, and why wouldn’t you say yes? It is such an honor to be asked to be in a wedding because it means you’ve served as an influential person to the bride or groom. You might have mixed feelings that range from feeling uncertain about why you haven’t found the one, or think there is something wrong with you. If you’re like some people, you may even feel envious. Stop – right – there. Know that there is nothing wrong with you. You’re perfect as you are, single. Married couples get divorced 50% of the time, and the majority of those who are getting married either rushed into it, forced the relationship, or found the last available man or woman. In exchange for perhaps feeling down or blue, feel proud that you’re not tied to another person for the rest of your life. Celebrate your unique individuality, while being supportive of your friend who is engaged. This is the essence of a Secure Single.
You’re Single And There Are Hot People Here
Part of the fun of being a single person is that you have the freedom to hook up with whomever you want. Just remember these three guidelines to keep it classy:
- Don’t hook up with someone unless all your strings are completely cut with other people. This will help avoid hurting other people’s feelings, as well as the drama that would arise from crossing the line. Also, remember to not hook up with someone who is already married as well, that would just make you out to be bad.
- Kissing is classy, but you might want to get to know the person before you go to home base. Yes, this means protecting your wild oats, and actually getting to know the person.
- If you do hook up with someone, make sure neither of you is not intoxicated. Alcohol gives us the authority to rightfully make bad decisions. If you’ve been drinking, it’s probably a good idea not to let someone take you home. Be safe, and have your friends with you to protect you.
Answering Awkward Questions
When people start to prod you about your ‘plus 1’, or the lack there of, here are some quick rebuttals to end the conversation:
Q: Who’s your +1 you’re bringing to the wedding?
A: Actualy +3, it’s me, myself, and I.
Q: Why aren’t you dating anyone?
A: People are too emotionally messed up from their childhood, and I don’t feel like dealing with emotional baggage because I’ve got my own.
Q: What happened to that one guy/girl?
A: They turned out to be gay/straight.
Q: Seriously, you’re a catch! What gives?
A: I’m focused on my career, and my ambitions are higher than dating random people.
Regardless of the question, be proud of yourself for making a living, having a social life with friends, and looking sexy as hell (even if you don’t feel that way, walk the walk and boost your confidence). There’s no need to be fearful of weddings when you stand in your truth, so if you’re singe go out and rock it!
Now What?
Go out to your next wedding, have a blast, and enjoy the freedom that comes with being a strong, independent, and fulfilled single person. Forget about feeling down and out, or inadequate next to your married friends, you’ve got the power to hook up with anyone you want! Life is better when you have the power to choose, so choose to be a Secure Single.
Views expressed in this article are the author’s opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of Secure Single. It is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not investment or financial advice. James Bollen is the author of Thriving Solo: How to Flourish and Live Your Perfect Life (Without A Soulmate). Now available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon. Subscribe to Secure Single’s Substack for free!