When my husband and I got engaged in 2020, I joined multiple local bridal groups on Facebook for help planning our wedding.
These groups, where brides ask for and provide recommendations and advice, were a massive source of support.
As I was scrolling through Facebook one day, I noticed a unique post from a bride appealing to the group.
She and her future spouse didn't meet the minimum number of guests they had agreed upon with the venue and were looking to fill another table with guests.
Advertisem*nt
The catch? They wouldn't know any of the people they were inviting.
I'd never seen a post like this before, but going to a stranger's wedding seemed like fun
Most wedding venues require couples to guarantee a certain number of guests will attend the event. If they don't reach this number, oftentimes, they will still have to pay the full agreed-upon price.
This means the couple is essentially paying for meals that won't be eaten.
Luckily for the bride who reached out for help on Facebook, I love everything about weddings. I jump at the chance to celebrate love, dance, and get dressed up for a night out. Attending someone's wedding is my idea of the perfect evening.
I floated the idea by my then-fiancé. It would be kind of like a date night, right?
He was hesitant — he's an excellent conversationalist and great at meeting people. He does not, however, seek out social opportunities the way I do.
Going to a stranger's wedding isn't something he would have considered doing otherwise, but we're both great at having a good time, and he agreed to go.
We traveled an hour to attend the wedding
Because the wedding was held over an hour from where we lived, we decided to book a hotel room near the venue and stay the night.
Advertisem*nt
The dress code was formal attire, which was even more exciting because I love having a reason to wear a floor-length gown.
We skipped the ceremony because the bride invited us for the co*cktail hour and reception. When we arrived, a part of me was nervous that our names wouldn't be on the seating chart —but they were.
For co*cktail hour, we kept to ourselves and enjoyed the food. We tried to get a sense of who the bride and groom were by looking at their signature drinks — adorably named after their pets — and the welcome decor with photos of them.
When we entered the reception hall, we found we were seated with others from the bridal group who had never met the bride or groom.
Advertisem*nt
Everyone at the table had their own reason for attending. One couple was getting married at the same venue and jumped at the opportunity to experience a wedding there as guests.
Another couple had gotten married there a few months back but hadn't been able to enjoy any of the food because of how busy the night was. Above all, everyone just wanted a fun night out.
Our table became fast friends. We danced as a group throughout the night and chatted during dinner about ourselves and our wedding-planning journeys.
There was something freeing about not knowing anyone in the room but coming together for such a heartwarming event.
Advertisem*nt
I also liked spending time with my partner and new friends without feeling obligated to socialize with anyone else at the wedding.
And even though I didn't know the bride and groom, I still teared up during the speeches and first dances.
I decided that any time I could make it to one of these weddings, I would
Wedding invites kept popping up in my local bridal groups, but I eventually joined "Sisterhood of the Traveling Wedding Guest, Bridesmaid, or Surrogate Mom" for brides who lack friend or familial support.
In the group, people look for someone to go dress shopping with them, be a bridesmaid, or even just attend their weddings as a guest.
Advertisem*nt
Through this group and others, I've since gone to four stranger's weddings. If my husband isn't available to accompany me, I bring a friend who's down for the cause.
If anyone asks how we know the happy couple, we always say through the bride. I leave out the part about meeting her for the very first time at her wedding.
I never know (and don't ask) if the bride has told her family and friends that they invited people they've never met.
And I always go up to the bride at some point during the night to introduce myself and thank her for having me. I'm now friends with most of the brides on social media, too.
Advertisem*nt
Some of us have made plans to hang out after the wedding, while others wish each other well on birthdays and big life events.
And although the brides say they don't expect anything, I always give a gift. I'd never show up to someone's home without bringing something, and I treat weddings the same way.
I hope to continue "crashing weddings" for many years to come. The joy that surrounds weddings energizes me, and I've met some awesome people along the way.
Plus, I'll never say no to celebrating love, dancing the night away, and having a great night out.
