My gown looks extra lonely without you.

I'm attending another wedding later…alone as usual. No stand-in guy nor girl nor gay friend as my plus one. Just me.

When my friend was still in the planning stage of building her guestlist, I asked her if I could have a stand-in plus one. But, of course, due to tight budgets, it wasn't possible. And I completely understand.

Yesterday, I was feeling another bout of loneliness because I would be going on my own, while my friends would be with their significant others. Why do I think weddings are meant for two-somes?

I want somebody to help me zip up my gown.

It's hard to zip up my down. Really. It's the kind of zipper that goes up to the side of the torso so you do need an assistant to get it up. Oh and yeah, the gown has a hook, so I do need help with that too

My little sister is helping zip me up later. But it's not the same because it's not YOU.

I want somebody to bring me there AND bring me home too.

The travails of not choosing to drive a car (out of laziness and love for Mother Earth – one less carbon imprint ok?) include commuting to a wedding in a long gown without looking stupid. Imagine me hailing a tricycle / FX / Jeep in full formal regalia. Ayayay!

If Dodong were here and was my wedding date, we'd be cruising along EDSA or C5 in trusty and handsome Sharkface. But thank God, I have my mom who will bring me there. Gas c/o yours truly. But still better that commuting right?

And yeah, I do miss the goodnight kiss post wedding date. Tonight there will be no goodnight kisses only goodnight waves and besos from friends.

I want somebody to snicker with me in the absurdly cheesy moments.

Dodong and I have attended weddings in the past. For me, one of the highlights would be snickering and chuckling in the cheesiest of moments during the wedding. Yes, we like to poke fun at weddings sometimes. Hehehe! It's just such a relief to know that somebody else can't take too much cheese either.

Later I do not have Dodong with me to do that. Perhaps I would end up texting him cheesy lowlights if any. But knowing my friend, I think there hardly be any. I hope.

But anyways, I am still happy to be attending this evening's wedding even if I am all alone with my lonesome self. I am glad to know that my friend has found her prince charming Best wishes my dear Anna!

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

P.S. I'd like to get to know you better so hope you could answer a quick survey here.

P.P.S. A bit of trivia: I've known Anna since our kindergarten days. She was actually my mother in a play we did then.

2 out of my 3 weddings for JANUARY alone!

2010 is definitely a year peppered with WEDDINGS. Gosh. I'm not sure if weddings are a trend nowadays or if I am in that stage in life already. But this January alone, I will attend 3 weddings! (Well, I've attended one last night so 1 down) 3 weddings in a month! CRAZY! There are more lining up for later this year. So it's really just crazy, crazy, crazy wedding year.

At first, I did thought that attending weddings on my own was okay. I can survive. It's just like any other party I go to alone. BUT no, I must say it is different. It makes me feel more alone…lonely…sigh.

So how do I survive weddings without Dodong, my plus one??? I do try. So here goes…

Dress to the nines!

I must admit I am not much of a fashion person. So I hardly get to prettify, dress up and all. Weddings are the perfect opportunity to buy a new dress (which unfortunately I do not have the budget yet for) and be all girly

I know sayang Dodong would not be able to see me in a dress. But I can always take a solo pic and email it to him right? Oh, yea. I already did email him my look from last night's wedding

Check if you have at least one friend who is attending

I am not much of a friendly friend to all person. What i noticed is that i am really close to the bride. Obviously, the bride cannot entertain me on her wedding day right?

So I kind of ask my bride friends who amongst our friends are also invited. Hehehe. Then I do (I did yesterday) my texting rounds to check if they will be there.

Make sure you are seated in a table with your friend/s

Upon RSVPing for the wedding, I did ask again my bride friends, with whom am I seated with. I just wanted to double, triple, quadruple check that I had someone to talk to while at the reception.

Thank God (oh, the bride and her wedding planners) that I was seated with some familiar faces last night. I was about to go crazy with loneliness…almost.

Chitchat and reconnect with friend/s: old and new

Last night, my college blockmate came in late. But this was a blessing in disguise as I was able to reconnect with a college batchmate It was interesting to hear where people are, what they are doing and how they have changed through the years.

It was just a chance to spruce up my people skills as I am a bit of a hermit in terms of socializing, small talking. Hey, I was sincere in striking up my conversations. Hehehehe. Not just for the sake of talking to another warm human body.

Take LOTS of pictures

Unfortunately, since my camera is still not functioning as well as it could have, I was not able to do so. But taking photos would be a good way to just take note of details for future reference…Perhaps for my own wedding in the near future? I hope!

Drown yourself in good food and BOOZE!

Last night, the buffet spread was smorgasbord. But unfortunately, there was no booze. No mobile shooters bar, which is quite the trend nowadays, or even just the usual bar.

If there was just a mobile bar last night, I would have drowned in the shooters. FYI I prefer sweet cocktails (that don't have the alcohol taste) over bitter beer. Of course, I would not (hopefully) get myself drunk though. I'd drink responsibly

Okay this last tip is the telltale sign that I am lonely. Hehehe. Would it be bordering on pathetic? I hope not.

But this is the best tip I can give on how to survive a wedding without your plus one:

Ask the bride if you can have another plus one

Not a romantic plus one silly! Perhaps a gay friend or another girl friend, who would be willing to share a romantic wedding with you. At least you're sure to have someone. It wouldn't hurt to ask right?

Weddings are celebrations to be truly happy about. So despite the fact that Dodong is miles away from me, the show must go on and I must celebrate along with the newly weds! Weeee!

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

P.S. Pls do forgive the sucky photos as my camera is still…uhm, broken. Awaiting funding from the universe for my NEW LUMIX LX3 Watch out!