Photo by Lisa Davies
Recently attending a friend’s wedding in regional Victoria, I had this perception thanks to the women of Sex and the City that weddings were all about shaming the single women about their non-existent marital status.
Now don’t get me wrong, my single status makes me feel liberated and free. I can do what I want, when I want and I whole-heartedly believe that Beyoncé would be proud of me. So I don’t want people to sympathise or condescend me for my choice when I know I could be in a relationship. However, while I am looking for the perfect fit, I would rather focus on myself.
With an early episode of Sex and the City in mind, I pictured myself in a Charlotte-type situation: trying to find the perfect gown to make all the men stare (in a tasteful way, of course, without distracting attention from the bride) and finding a fleeting romance that would sweep me off my feet, then come crashing down hard all in a space of an evening. I am unhappy to report that was not the case.
I ended up wearing my trustworthy, never-fail Witchery dress decked out in new jewels purchased from Lovisa. I wore my reliable Funki heels I know I can last the night in. With this Sex and The City delusion in my head, I was almost waiting for a romance to happen. But nothing. I looked around the room for eligible bachelors, and no offense to the ones that were there… but nothing. I did, however, find my friends Mim (aka Mimosa — champagne & OJ) and Champs (champagne) who pepped me up and gave me that party buzz that all single wedding guests vie for.
Has the iconic show deluded single women?
Sex and the City vs Reality
I wish I could report even the slightest form of single-shame at the wedding to hold true to the Sex and the City delusion, but I really felt nothing. At one point of the evening, in my inebriated state, I did consider making out with a stranger for the sake of this article. But my apologies, because that never happened.
Maybe it is the comfort I have found for myself that prevents me for feeling this shame or discontentment the fictional ‘liberated’ Sex and the City women felt with themselves. Regardless, I had an exceptional time at my friend’s wedding. I did not meet anyone new and happily danced the night away with my friends.
For those interested, I did participate in the wedding tradition of catching the bouquet. Although I didn’t catch it, I did pick it up. Therefore, according to my friends, all attendees and video evidence, I am next in line to be wed (funnily one of my friends who attended the wedding is getting married herself next month).
But sticking with tradition I would like to cordially invite everyone reading to attend not only my Hen’s night, but also the wedding of myself and I. We’re very happy together, it’s almost as though we complete each other. The date is yet to be confirmed but please dress to impress, ladies.
Have you ever felt ‘single shame’ at a wedding a la Sex and the City? Tell us about it in the comments!
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