If there's anything that makes me feel more single than lying on the couch by myself on a Friday night, it's lying on the couch by myself on a Friday night while watching "Say Yes to the Dress." As much as I try to maintain the appearances of a social life on the weekends, sometimes I just need to relax and enjoy a few hours of reality television, usually in the form of brides-to-be spending thousands of dollars on their wedding dresses. Although I am well aware of the negative feelings this TLC creation often brings, I willingly subject myself to it time and again.

For those of you unfamiliar with this highly addictive series, here's a quick rundown. "Say Yes to the Dress" premiered on TLC in 2007, and has since been wildly popular. The show has inspired several spin-offs and is the source of many, many "Bride Day" marathons on TLC. The original series showcases Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City, one of the most highly regarded bridal salons in the world. Each episode tells the stories of two or three young women searching for their dream wedding gowns. Plenty of drama accompanies this process, including jealous friends and mothers overstepping boundaries. However, the show always ends with a clip of a beautiful bride walking down the aisle to some unknown cheesy song. It's disgustingly precious.

Unless you are actually engaged, or in a position in which you might soon be engaged, or are in a serious relationship of any sort, it's quite a letdown. I know this from personal experience. Thanks to this show, I have a clear vision of my dream wedding gown. I have considered what kind of veil would look best with said gown, and how I should get my hair styled accordingly. Now all I need is a fiancé (minor detail, right?). While the women on this show are in the midst of possibly one of the most exciting times of their lives, I'm watching the show by myself while polishing off a questionable amount of pizza rolls. I warn you, it can be emotionally trying.

Let's also keep in mind that Kleinfeld Bridal is a premiere bridal salon, carrying some of the most gorgeous (and most expensive) gowns in the world. Although the show does include brides with a wide range of budgets, many of the women stroll in with a "sky's the limit" mentality. This gives us unrealistic expectations. Over the past 13 seasons, we've seen the most extravagant of styles with even crazier price tags. These choices are not representative of options for a typical bride. You do not need to spend $20,000 to get an incredible dress, and most likely, you won't be able to. Crush that dream in its tracks before you set yourself up for disappointment. The more important thing is a happy marriage, right? Right?!

Despite these reasons I've listed for hating what "Say Yes to the Dress" has done to me, I still love it. When I see it listed on the TV guide, my heart flutters with excitement. Why? Because it's so darn exciting to watch women make one of the biggest decisions of their lives (and no, I don't feel bad saying that). These women are about to start a new chapter in their lives with the people they love, and it's hard to deny how cute that is. We watch because we hope that one day, that'll be us. Also, the occasional fight started by a bride's bitter maid of honor is surprisingly entertaining.

The positives outweigh the negatives, so I encourage you to check out "Say Yes to the Dress" next time TLC runs one of its nine-hour marathons. You can bet I'll be tuning in.