It’s November, guys. WTF. The year has seriously flown by, and now we’re heading into the holiday season and I, for one, am so not ready for it. Yes, it’s time well spent with family, but it’s also very stressful. A lot of that has to do with old, former friends and classmates posting photos of their home-for-the-holidays hangouts. Can’t even get into how many times I’ve sat home on Blackout Wednesday (you know, that huge night before Thanksgiving when EVERYONE reunites and drinks for the sake of ceremony) with my hubby or sister and drank wine (in excess) while reminiscing about our younger selves and [simultaneously] remembering how old we are now.
From high school reunions to college tailgates, no matter how much we resist, we’re bound to get sucked into some social soiree that we’d rather RSVP ‘no’ to and sit home watching DVR-ed Riverdale… But, weddings, above all, are those occasions that really require a nonsense-free excuse if you’re going to opt out. And staying home to avoid seeing people you’d rather not doesn’t really qualify as one. Yah, your ex could very well be a part of that picture. Awkward AF, we know, but something we can all relate to.
So, before you completely lose it and consider feigning an illness for which the couple will inevitably call bullshit, read through some of our sound advice for staying chill through it all. Really, we get it, it sucks to see the guy or girl who you’d ideally like to stay a relic of your relationship past. You can handle it, though. Just try not to One Tree Hill-it. Remember Lucas and Peyton’s wedding? When Brooke and Julian were ‘on a break,’ but totally tried to one-up each other and let it be known that they were killing it in the single game. They weren’t, obvi.
And if you’re not seeing an ex at a wedding, but feeling particularly anxious about being single over the holidays - we gotcha covered there, too!
Set out to slay. Make sure you’re dressing to impress. Beyond a killer outfit, whether you get your makeup done, get a bomb blowout or some sick eyelash extensions, feeling your best will inevitably make you more confident for seeing you-know -who at the wedding. And the next day, after you’ve conquered the night, treat yo-self at the spa. You deserve it.
Decide whether you’ll say hi or buhbye. You really need to go into the wedding with a gameplan. If you want to ghost your ex entirely, then have a convo with the bride and groom ahead of time and make sure you two won’t be breaking bread at the same table. If you think you can manage a quick ‘Hi, how are you?’ ‘Good? Okay well goodnight, was nice seeing you!’ then do it FIRST and preferably without too much champs beforehand. If you can keep it together and look classy as hell, then you can feel good about saying boy byeeee real fast.
Remember why you guys called it quits. Whether you were the one dumped or the one who did him/her dirty, you still need to remember that you’re no longer together. Simple as that. That means don’t even think about igniting that flame ‘just one more time’ for the night. Don’t think he’s doable just because he’s looking fine as hell in his GQ-get up.
Bring someone who will make you forget. Your old flame might have a new boo or maybe he’s flying solo, too, but no matter what, you just need to bring a +1 (and hopefully the bride and groom will do you a solid with that, knowing the circumstances) who will keep you preoccupied - so you’re not, umm, sitting in the bathroom crying. Bring someone who’ll make you laugh, who will come with his Channing Tatum moves for the dance floor, and who will totally gas you up if he comes in contact with your dreaded ex. Oh… and who will cheer you on as you catch the bouquet.
Drink. ‘I’m having so much fun, what do I need an open bar for?’ Said no one. Ever. The bar is your friend for the night. Have that Whisky Sour or a Dirty Shirley and enjoy it, but cautiously!! Also, maybe even spend some time talking up the bartender. If you don’t know him, he’d be a great sounding board for your drama. And who knows…. Maybe you’ll get lucky later. Gotta move on, right??! Kidding, kidding, kidding.