For all you young adults out there, I have a question: how many weddings are you attending this summer? 1, 2, 5, 10? At this point in life, most of us will know quite a few couples getting married. None of us can stop time, and life goes on without our permission. However, weddings are a pretty exciting thing to be apart of and I hope that you are able to enjoy them. Here a few tips to help you focus and simply have a good time:

1. Save money weeks (and in even months) in advance for gas, eating out, gifts, and maybe a hotel. I know we are all broke college students, but a little bit of budgeting and saving months in advance may go a long way.
2. If you are single, don’t compare yourselves to all the couples getting married. Trust me, I know it can be tempting, but it’s good to remember that we all have separate paths. There is no need to worry right now. Give it time, and if it is meant happen, you will find someone that you will want to spend the rest of life with.
3. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions. Try to find a stable balance and don’t get stuck in all the responsibilities. At the end of the day, the couple will be married. There is no need to worry. Just enjoy it.
4. If you’re single, you can have extra fun too. You can dance with whoever you like and maybe even meet that special someone.
5. If you’re in a relationship, don’t let these weddings pressure your own relationship. Again, it can be a bit tempting, but rushing a commitment can be very harmful for a relationship. It is exciting, but don’t forget to be realistic.
6. If you are close to the bride and/or groom, do your best to be there for them whenever they may need you. This can be a stressful time for them and being a good friend will make a huge difference.
7. Cherish this time because before you know it, we will be in our mid 40’s and 50’s reminiscing the good ole’ days. That’s not to say being middle-aged is a bad thing, but each stage in life is a special gift and should be cherished.
8. No matter how cheesy these weddings may be, remember that these couples getting married love each other. They are about to start a life together. They are going to fight, laugh, cry, embrace, and create so many memories. Do your best to remember how special this day is.

Love is a beautiful thing. It requires sacrifice, compromise, commitment, humility, intentionality, and more. And because of that, it should be celebrated. I hope these few tips will help you to enjoy this time, no matter where you may find yourself.