Ask a Professional Bridesmaid: Can I Ask for a Plus One?

Dear Jen,

I’m sick of going solo to weddings. All of my friends are engaged or married or having their third child. I’m happy for them and everything, but at weddings, I feel so alone. I don’t have a sidekick to accompany me on the dance floor and I’m typically the only single person at the table, leaving an empty seat or a desperate too-touchy cousin next to me. Is it okay if I start asking for a plus one when I’m invited to weddings? I don’t want to be demanding or overstep any boundaries, but I do want to have fun.

Sincerely,

Do I Get a Plus One?

 

Dear ‘Do I Get a Plus One?’

Going to a wedding solo can be quite the drag, especially when you’re one of the only single people occupying the dance floor. I’ve found myself standing alone, in the middle of the dance floor, tossing my arms in the air trying to catch the bouquet, while every other guest sat in their seat and pointed at me like I was the main act of the wedding show.

How badly did I wish I had a plus one in that moment? Pretty bad.

It may be a bit much to call the bride up and giver her an ultimatum: either you get a plus one or you’re not going to attend the wedding.

But if the bride is a good friend of yours or even a close family member, you can give her a heads up that you’d like to bring someone, if you can. Ask her to her to keep you posted as RSVPs fly in and if there’s room for one more guest, maybe that guest can belong to you.

If she says yes, remember, you’re responsible for your guest so be sure to choose wisely! If she says no, remember, you have to respect her wishes. So don’t invite someone anyway and cross your fingers that the bride won’t notice one more person tip toeing around her wedding. She will, she absolutely will.