First and foremost I am so happy for each and every one of you. To be able to have the opportunity to marry the love of your life is incredible and I thank you for letting me experience your very special day with you.

I love weddings, I do. Any occasion to get all dolled up, gather with friends and family on a day filled with laughs and love is great. Bonus if the reception has an open bar and a huge dance floor. If you know me, it is kind of funny that I chose to write about marriage. It is even funnier that I am writing this article only a couple hours before the wedding of a very dear friend tonight. This will also be the forth wedding I’ve attended this summer. Unlike most of my friends, I am far away from the alter. It was not until this year that I realized I am finally at the age where people I know are falling in love and exchanging very special vows *cue Spice Girl’s 2 Become 1.*

This summer I had the opportunity to be in sorority sister’s wedding. She lived across the hall from me our freshman year of college. Her groom attended the same college. Two years later I made the 12-hour road trip from Missouri to Kentucky with a great group of girls to watch these two wonderful friends get married. Being in a wedding is very special. You really do develop a newfound appreciation for weddings once you’ve seen it standing besides other bridesmaids. The preparation starts quickly after the engagement and you think the big day is just so far away. You have the shopping, the brunches, bridal showers and my personal favorite the bachelorette party.

Then the big day comes. You probably got zero sleep after rehearsal dinner the night before, but somehow you still manage to wake up the next day with this incredible feeling and you’re not even the one getting married. You just want nothing more than this day to be absolutely perfect because these two deserve the best. Not mention the feeling of satisfaction you get once you’ve seen all of the late night crafting and trips to the florist paid off. After many happy but ugly tears, the cake cutting, first dance and then more tears the big day has came to and end. Your feet blistered from your heels and dancing the night away and now you are so tired you are basically sleeping standing up. You can’t help but leave the venue with a smile on your face.

Coming from the girl who is usually stag at these types of events, I want to say thank you. Thank you for showing me what I have to look forward to in life. Cheesy, I know but every girl thinks about her own wedding day (whether they admit it or not.) Thank you for letting me be a part of your special day. I can’t wait to experience the love and happiness that you do.

To all of my newlyweds and those about to say I do, I wish you all of the best in the world and a life full of happiness. For all of you that are just as single me, let me know if you ever need a plus one.