Tips For Attending A Wedding Solo When You Don't Know Anybody

Weddings are beautiful occasions. Seeing people you care about and love get married to their best friend and soul mate is so special. The food, the music, the wedding cake, the speeches, the dress, the confetti and the drunk dancing are all that make a wedding special. More often than not, you often see guests with their plus ones sitting together at tables during the wedding breakfast. But what about those who are at a wedding solo as a single guest?


Recently, I went to a close friend's wedding, a friend who has been in my life for 12 years and who I adore. Beforehand, I was a little nervous about going. Not only was I going to be going as a single guest - but I only knew the bride, groom and the bride's parents. That's it. The other 76 guests were complete strangers to me. It's actually more frightening than it sounds. 

A woman taking a selfie in front of a mirror.


Like I said, prior to the wedding, I was a little anxious. Surprisingly, when I got there and after the ceremony, I felt a lot less nervous than when I arrived. I started talking to other guests, becoming acquainted with them and I instantly relaxed. I started to feel less awkward around others and just wanted to enjoy the occasion rather than fret over my self-consciousness. After all, a wedding is about the bride and groom, my best friend and her new husband, not myself. 


I won't lie, if you are ever going to attend a wedding solo, it's a nerve-wracking experience at first. It's anxiety-inducing, but please don't let that stop you. 

Here, I'll share some tips I have learned from attending a wedding solo:

1) Do your research

I literally don't mean stalk the guest list on Facebook by finding out if they're dog lovers or how good they are at Wordle. Sometimes, you may know somebody mutually and you may be able to befriend them at the wedding. For example, I knew the names of the maid of honour and bridesmaids, so I knew them on a first-name basis prior to the big day. That was a massive help to start a conversation at the wedding breakfast.

A wedding table setting

2) Befriend the older generation

The best tip I can offer you here. I spoke and sat with my friend's parents friend's for most of the day and I enjoyed their company the most. As I was feeling a little unsure about myself, they made me feel at ease which helped massively. They told me the names of other guests and they were happy to chit-chat with me (I hope!).

3) Dress the part

I'm all for sustainability guys. However, I bought a new dress for the wedding as the other one I usually wear for weddings was a bit tatty and I needed something new. Sorry. But buying a new dress, and doing my hair and makeup to precision made me feel ready and raring to get to the wedding. Dressing up always makes me feel better, and it's always vital to dress the part for a wedding! Walking into the wedding venue feeling fabulous helped me conquer my nerves and also allowed me to admire everybody else's wedding attire. 

A woman taking a selfie in front of a mirror.

4) Seek the bar

Always know where the bar is. There are always people at the bar. An ideal way to make conversation with someone while you're waiting for your drinks order to be taken. Also having an alcoholic drink or two can help ease the nerves. I'm not saying get bladdered, not by any means!

5) Keep an open mind and remain positive

Try not to feel negative thoughts about attending a wedding solo. I think that experiencing positive thoughts really helped me throughout the day. It's not easy to walk into a room full of strangers. But one thing I kept in mind is that everyone is connected to the newlyweds somehow and that's the common ground right there. A positive thought can make the world of difference.

6) Don't resort to scrolling on your phone

Scrolling on your phone puts other guests off from talking to you. I made sure my phone stayed in my clutch bag for the majority of the day. Phones can seem like a comfort blanket to some, but keep it hidden. The only time I had my phone in my hand was when I took photos during the day. 

Pear Tree at Purton wedding venue

7) Just enjoy it

Enjoy celebrating the love of the newlyweds. It's their day. The most special day of their lives and you've been given the honour of being a part of it. So feel proud of them and enjoy the occasion!

I'd love to know if any of you have ever attended a wedding solo - let me know!

36 comments
  1. Yup I could definitely have done with this post when I was invited to a twitter friends wedding where I only knew the bride! 🤣💐 I didn't even have enough money to buy drinks, although in hindsight this was probably a good thing! 🤣 Xo

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    1. I hope you had a good time though lovely! It's so daunting going to a wedding when you only know 1-2 people! Maybe that was good in hindsight! x

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  2. Great tips Lucy! It can be super nerve wracking attending events solo. I love the idea of befriending the older generation, seeking the bar, and remaining open and positive. Your dress is gorgeous by the way!!!

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    1. Thank you lovely! It can be very nerve-wracking to attend any event solo so I hope these tips help!

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  3. Great tips! I agree that the older generation can be easy to talk to! I'm not great at talking to strangers so I would struggle to go alone. I love your dress.

    Corinne x
    https://skinnedcartree.com

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    1. The older generation are the best to talk to at a wedding, christening etc. So easy to talk to and such a laugh! x

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  4. These are such good tips! I've not been to a wedding solo before, although I know for sure of definitely be anxious beforehand.
    Claire.X
    www.clairemac.co.uk

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    1. It definitely is a nerve-wracking thing to do Claire! x

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  5. I really needed this post! I have a friends wedding next month and I don’t know anyone there so this post has come at the perfect time, thank you so much for sharing these great tips. You looked beautiful in your dress btw! Xo

    Elle - ellegracedeveson.com

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    1. Aww I'm glad that this post has come at the right time for you Elle, I hope you have a wonderful time at your friend's wedding! x

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  6. I have a habit of going on my phone when I don't know most people around me at a function. I don't avoid them them, if I can have a conversation I do that. These are great. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. If you can have a conversation with someone instead of looking at your phone, that's great! But only if you feel comfortable enough to! x

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  7. It's so tempting to scroll on your phone if you're sat without anyone to talk to, but I totally agree, it would definitely put me off speaking to someone! You look lovely!
    Amy x
    callmeamy.co.uk

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    1. There is definitely that temptation to stand there on your phone rather than speak to people! x

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  8. This post has come at the right time. I have 3 weddings this year and all of these weddings I only know one or two people. Same for the hen do. Thank you for sharing these tips!

    Lauren - www.bournemouthgirl.com

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    1. Oh I hope this post has really helped you Lauren, I hope you have a wonderful time at these weddings and the hen do!

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  9. There are some great tips here! I've never been completely solo at a wedding without knowing anyone, but I had a similar situation. My husband was the best man at his friend's wedding. He had to sit at the wedding party table, stay with them before the ceremony to get ready, etc. That being said, I met some great people!

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    1. That's good that you still managed to meet great people during the wedding Britt!

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  10. Love this Lucy and LOVE that you went to the wedding by yourself, despite not knowing anyone! I’d like to think I’d be able to do that, should the situation arise. These are great tips xxx

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    1. Thank you! I hope that you can lovely and I'm sure that you could should the situation ever arise for you! xx

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  11. Lovely post Lucy! You look fantastic :) I think these tips are so important, especially the point about doing your research. There's normally someone who you can befriend for the day!

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    1. Thank you Eleanor! There is always going to be someone you know at the wedding, even if it's just one person!

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  12. I needed to find this post today!

    Danielle | thereluctantblogger.co.uk

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    1. Oh I'm glad you found this post helpful lovely!

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  13. Love these tips, I've only been to one wedding and I went with my family, but I definitely felt a bit nervous being single! It's surprising how much easier it is to talk to strangers at weddings though haha x

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    1. I find it a lot easier to talk to strangers at weddings, it's so easy to start a conversation with them! x

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  14. loved this post! for our wedding, we had tons of friends who arrived solo. it's a great way to connect with new faces & just enjoy yourself!

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    1. Absolutely, it's a great way to connect with others!

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  15. These are great tips. I've never been solo to a wedding before but it sounds like you had a lovely day.

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    1. I did have a lovely day Kelly, thank you! x

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  16. Oh well done! I'd have been nervous too but I'm glad you had a lovely time. You looked beautiful, I'm obsessed with your dress xx

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    1. Aww thank you Alice! It's from New Look and it was jus the perfect wedding guest dress! xx

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  17. These are such helpful tips! I use to dread going to weddings solo and I would have loved these tips back then! Staying near the bar is a fantastic tip and one I never would have thought of!

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    1. It's such a good idea to stand by the bar at a wedding!

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  18. Such great tips! I would have be a nerve wreck too, but you looked fabulous in taht dress and glad that at the end you enjoyed it! I completely agree on befriending the older generation, sometimes they are much easier to spark conversation!

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    1. Aww thank you Cristina, I had such a lovely day!

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