In the 2005 comedy Wedding Crashers, Jeremy (Vince Vaughn) and John (Owen Wilson) play a pair of committed womanizers who sneak into weddings to take advantage of the romantic tinge in the air. They meet women – lots of women – until the jig is up when John falls in love with Claire Cleary (played by Rachel McAdams). Moral grey area and ridiculous hijinks aside, the movie plays off the long held belief that weddings are a prime place to meet other singles. But are they really?
Online dating site Plenty of Fish just recently conducted a survey with more than 3,000 users around trends among singles at weddings this season. The data shows that it could be worth striking up a conversation with the handsome groomsmen or gorgeous bridesmaid at this summer’s wedding.
More than half of respondents (52 percent) said weddings are a great place to hook up. In fact, 20 percent of people surveyed admitted to having hooked up with someone in the wedding party and 16 percent have met someone at a wedding who they went on to have a relationship with. The majority (60 percent) of singles who admitted to wedding hookups in the past revealed it was at the wedding of a friend, and 28 percent said a family member!
As someone who once met, hooked up and became rather smitten with the best man at my best friend’s wedding, I can attest to the fact that there’s just something about weddings that can make us more open to the possibility of love – or at the very least, a very boozy, champagne-fueled makeout session with someone attractive.
If you’re single, here are a few reasons why you shouldn’t write off weddings as a place to potentially find a date this summer.
1. You already have lots to talk about.
More than half of respondents (52 percent) said weddings are a great place to hook up because it’s easy to start a conversation. You’re not standing in the line at Starbucks, you’re at a life-changing event – the wedding of someone you care about. It’s the perfect place to ditch your tired old lines (“Uh, I see you’re ordering a unicorn latte…”) and just talk about what’s happening. How do you know the couple? What do you think of the smoked salmon? Do you want another drink? You get the point.
2. You look your best.
Unless you’ve been tasked with wearing the Bridesmaids Dress From Hell, you probably look your best (and even if you don’t, all that peach-colored taffeta is a great jumping off point for some fun conversation.) In fact, 21 percent of people surveyed said that weddings are a great place to meet other singles because everyone looks their best. So, take advantage of that and strike up a conversation with that hottie standing by the seafood buffet.
3. Alcohol is flowing.
Never underestimate the power of a little liquid courage. Not only are you looking and feeling your best, often a glass of wine is all you need to let your inhibitions down a bit and strike up a conversation with someone new. Lean into it – just make sure you don’t get sloppy (41 percent of singles surveyed said they have definitely had too much to drink at a wedding.)
4. You never forget someone you’ve been in the foxhole with.
A whopping 44 percent of Plenty of Fish respondents admitted that they have sat through a cringe-worthy speech at a wedding. When the father of the bride starts talking about “that time in ‘Nam” and awkwardly says, “I wish I could marry her myself!” (right before Drunk Uncle Larry launches into his rendition of I Can’t Help Falling in Love) – use your shared discomfort as an opportunity to bond with the cute person next to you. Unless of course they find none of this awkward at all. In that case, find another person.
5. There’s no commitment.
What happens at the wedding, stays at the wedding. At least that’s what 8 percent of Plenty of Fish users think. Weddings tend to bring together a lot of out of town guests and people that you may never see again (unless you want to), which provides the perfect setting for a night of commitment-free romance. However, if you’re looking for more than a quick roll in the hay, don’t be afraid to show it. Love is in the air and you just never know who you’ll meet.
