The Quiet Dread of Wedding Season—and How to Cope
A year ago, I was made redundant from my job at a technology magazine. Although I've made a decent fist of freelance journalism and copywriting since, the feast or famine routine is a far cry from the stability I had hoped for in my 30s. Mortgage lenders don't look kindly on the self-employed. I don't have any paid holiday or sick leave. So as my partner and I clinked glasses and twirled under the moonglow, with our own wedding to plan and pay for in a few months, I was racked by guilt for not having surer footing.
I should be further ahead by now. I should be more settled. These are anxieties I deal with most days. But weddings tend to exacerbate them.
Don't get me wrong, there are aspects of weddings I enjoy: the chance to catch up with old friends, tear-jerking toasts and, ideally, a free bar. There are others I have to psych myself up to endure: wearing a suit in sweltering heat, Journey's Don't Stop Believin', and the painful introspection brought on by that innocent yet loaded question from other guests: what are you up to these days?
Weddings, in my experience, tend to follow a similar script. They assume forward momentum. People only really want you to share positive news: think baby, promotion, or plan for your next home renovation.
If you can't deliver, then small talk is tough. But not going to weddings isn't really an option. I'm not made of stone. I care. Regardless of my own personal frustrations, I love my friends, and I don't want to disappear from the happiest chapters of their lives just because I'm still figuring out my own stuff.
So, with a couple more weddings still to get through this summer, I've come up with a four-point plan for how I can survive—with my self-esteem and my soul intact.
Firstly, I need to remember that it's not a race. People get their breaks at different stages in life. It took Sir James Dyson over 5,000 prototypes before launching the first Dyson vacuum cleaner at 46. Julia Donaldson did not publish The Gruffalo until she was 50. Colonel Sanders only started franchising KFC at 62.
Secondly, I want to invest in my own milestones. Whether it's related to work or fitness, I'm going to say well done to myself when I deserve it. Every article I write for a big publication is something that teenage me would be thrilled about. Getting a new personal best at Parkrun is also worth a pat on the back. According to one study last year, engaging in just 20 seconds of daily self-affirming talk can lead to significant improvements in wellbeing and stress reduction.
Thirdly, I'm going to have an exit strategy early doors. Not every wedding needs me on the dance-floor until midnight. I'm going to give myself permission to be more self-caring with my time. I'll stay for as little or as long as I feel equipped to deal with.
Finally, I'm going to pre-load my pre-wedding schedule. I'm going to book in the small things that nourish me: a long walk, a good book, a trip to the cinema, or dinner with someone who really gets what I'm going through.
Read More: When Life Is Chaotic, Less Is More
Emotional stamina is real and if weddings are marathon events, it's important to hydrate first. It's vital that I've had a couple of months or weeks before I go to a wedding, that are full of things I enjoy doing, so the day doesn't feel like an exclamation point to a rut.
I don't think any of these ideas are bulletproof. I'm sure there will still be moments that'll hit me hard—like a speech that sounds like a blueprint for the life I thought I'd have by now. But I'm adamant that when I do meet these moments, I'll do so with a bit more grace and calm than I have done in the past.
I will attend more weddings before I've finished figuring my stuff out. I'll clap; I'll cry; I'll give thoughtful gifts. I'll also keep a quiet knowledge that life doesn't move in perfect choreography—and that's OK.
Looking back, that night in Italy was both difficult and delightful. Great pasta helped. While weddings often highlight the uneven rhythms of life, they are also moments when we come closest to belonging—not because we've 'arrived,' but because we've shown up anyway.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
5 days ago
- CBS News
Eddie & Vinny's Coast Italian in Coral Springs is all about family
It's a family affair at Eddie & Vinny's Coastal Italian off Sample Road in Coral Springs. Husband and wife team Eddie and Christina Pozzuoli teamed up to bring Eddie Pozzuoli Sr.'s original iconic restaurant — Tavolino Della Notte, which ran from 2007 until they sold it in 2019 — back to life in a newly named and reimagined eatery that opened this March. The all-new Eddie & Vinny's is named after their young boys and honors their own parents, too. "This is literally our children, and this is my dad, this is Christina's dad, my wife. He was Vinny, my dad was Ed, I'm Eddie, my boys are Eddie and Vinny… it worked," Eddie Pozzuoli said. The look is modern and sophisticated, but Eddie Pozzuoli said the real vibe is all about community, and opening week brought them to tears. "It was really heartwarming seeing all the old faces and familiar faces," he said. "Whether we had their child's baptism here at the restaurant in the past and now their kid is a teenager, or somebody's going off to college. To come back and have that welcome from the city and the locals — it was truly heartwarming." The menu features fresh seafood, meats, traditional Italian fare and more. Eddie & Vinny's now offers lunch on Fridays, plus happy hour deals all week long with cocktails from $8 to $10. "Happy Hour has Aperol Spritz—and this is our Date Night Negroni, " Eddie Pozzuoli said, offering up the drinks. Happy hour ramps up with small plates priced between $10 to $12, like the delicious fresh Yellow Tail Crudo spoons, and Chef David Garcia's Braised Short Rib French Dip Sliders, topped with provolone cheese and hot pepper giardiniera. "It's actually been one of the most popular dishes since we launched our lunch," Eddie Pozzuoli said. Then there's the "Black & Blue" Seared Beef Carpaccio, layered with black truffle aioli, charred onions, arugula and blue cheese — insanely addictive. And Garcia's over-the-top lasagna, made with crepes instead of noodles, is stuffed with wagyu bolognese and four cheeses — the best this reporter has ever had. These loyal customers agreed, too: "I loved the lasagna. We had it right there. It was amazing," Bryan Lopez said. "And they treated me like family—that's why I kept coming back." "It was a beautiful atmosphere, really family-friendly," added Raeneal Goncalves. "The food was amazing, the service—everything — it was just wonderful." Eddie & Vinny's is open seven days a week. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday, and lunch is served on Fridays. And don't forget the girl dinner: a $30 combo that starts with an espresso martini, goes to pasta and a small Caesar salad, and ends with French fries. For more information, visit
Forbes
21-07-2025
- Forbes
Launches We Love In July: From Seashell Jewelry To Parisian Candles
In Launches We Love, features and special projects director Kim Peiffer highlights the most buzzed-about new launches and collaborations she's currently shopping. Read on for the products she can't stop talking about in July. Here at Forbes Vetted, our editors shop for a living, so we're pretty in the know about product launches, cool collaborations and all-around coveted new items. It says a lot about the quality of a product or brand when our own staff can't wait for a new launch to finally drop—whether it's a collaboration between two brands we know and love or a unique one-off product founded by an exceptional entrepreneur. We've combed through this month's most exciting launches, from jewelry to luxury pajamas. Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers So far this summer there's been an influx of newbies hitting the market, from fashion and beauty to home and wellness. I'm taking the shopping research off your plate (because who has the time when you'd rather be at the beach?) and rounding up all of the worthy collaborations and launches that recently dropped, so you can easily find my (and likely your soon-to-be) new favorites. Below, all the newness I haven't stopped talking about—or stopped shopping—this month. The moment we've all been waiting for: The new Dyson Airwrap Co-Anda2x Multi-Styler and Dryer is here, and it packs a powerful punch. The Co-Anda2x produces twice the air pressure of the Airwrap's previous iteration to dry hair as fast as a full-performance hair dryer. It also features new intelligent attachments that allow hair to dry, curl, wave, straighten, smooth and volumize with air. This model also automatically adjusts heat and airflow to wrap, style, set and release the perfect curl every time, plus an app that allows you to create a unique hair profile to personalize your curl sequence, heat and airflow settings with each attachment. Bottom line: It's genius. What could be lovelier to receive at your doorstep than a breezy Nantucket-inspired bouquet from UrbanStems, paired with an eight-pack of famous New York City bakery Levain's mouthwatering cookies? Nothing, I assure you. (P.S. This also makes for a fabulous hostess gift this summer.) Shopbop is celebrating summer by teaming up with Solid & Striped to release a coastal-chic swim collection, inspired by the Prime Video hit The Summer I Turned Pretty , in preparation for the show's Season 3 premiere. Within the collection you'll find whimsical bikinis, classic one-piece suits, gingham sets and more pieces that are making me crave a trip to the coast, stat. After a successful expansion into footwear and handbags, it's only natural that clothing brand Veronica Beard would expand into beautiful jewelry that is elevated, versatile and modern. Debuting with 10 essential silhouettes—including tortoise earrings, resin bangle bracelets, enamel bead chain necklaces and dainty anklets—the pieces are the perfect cap to the brand's classic yet modern aesthetic. Sporty & Rich Sporty & Rich is back for its third installment of the popular Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc collection, and it's just as stylish as I imagined it would be. Think: pieces designed to blend with the timeless elegance of the French Riviera, as only Cap-Eden-Roc guests would want—crisp shirting sets, tennis duds, soft-yet-chic sweatshirts and more. My rec? Buy them up now; this collection will sell out. Nothing makes me happier at the end of a long day than showering and applying Sol de Janiero's epic Bum Bum Cream from head to toe—until now. The viral beauty brand just debuted a new body lotion, and it delivers fast-absorbing, weightless hydration perfect for summer, with the signature divine scent we all know and love. Typically, if someone utters the words 'Four Seasons' to me in any context, I'm already sold—and this cute summer pajama collection is no exception to that rule. Crafted from a breathable linen-cotton blend perfect for summer temps, this set features all the details you never knew you needed in sleepwear: crisp white piping, an embroidered logo and beautiful bespoke packaging that makes this set perfect for gifting (to yourself or others, of course). A limited-edition collection between fashion brand Staud and luxury resort brand St. Regis is exactly what our summer needs. From bold accessories to poolside lounge pieces, this collab is the vacation inspiration I've been looking for. My personal favorite is this raffia Moon Tote Bag—perfect to pack in a suitcase this season for a variety of occasions. How charming are these dainty, mismatched coastal-inspired huggie earrings from jewelry brand Gorjana's sweet summer collection? Featuring 18k gold-plated brass, the best thing about these earrings may just be the fact that you can swap out any of the brand's Parker Charms on the loops (or just wear them sans charms) for multiple looks. Founded in Paris in 2023, this luxury home fragrance brand recently entered the U.S. market, and its candles and home fragrances have been consistently selling out ever since. Composed of essential oils sourced from plants, flowers, herbs and spices, these handmade candles are housed in ceramic jars crafted by artisans in the brand's Parisian atelier. They're just as gorgeous-looking as they are incredible-smelling, trust me. Unlike most massage guns on the market, Rally's products were created to restore balance to aching muscles by recovering smarter, not harder. This recovery device delivers precise, soothing relief that helps break up sore muscles without overly punishing them (i.e., pain is not always gain).
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Yahoo
Move over, Aperol — the Hugo Spritz is summer's hottest cocktail
The Hugo Spritz has emerged as the trendy cocktail of the moment and successor to the Aperol Spritz. The recipe calls for prosecco, club soda, and elderflower liqueur, resulting in a sweet, low-ABV drink. A foodservice trend analyst said the French-made liqueur lends the Hugo Spritz an escapist appeal. Last month, while mulling the menu at a trendy restaurant, a suggestion from a friend made me feel woefully out of touch. "Why don't you get a Hugo Spritz?" the friend asked when I said I was craving a light, summery, and refreshing cocktail. I asked what that was and was promptly met with a table full of shocked faces. Somehow, I had missed the introduction and gradual takeover of the the hottest new cocktail. While the thirst for Hugo Spritz certainly isn't new — the recipe has been gaining momentum online for a few years, achieving fleeting virality in 2023 and capturing the attention of wealthy bar patrons in 2024 — recent data indicates that the Hugo's mainstream crossover moment has officially arrived. In its 2024 trend report, Yelp found a 1,121% increase in searches for "Hugo Spritz" compared to the previous year. Google search volume for "Hugo Spritz" rose 122% from 2023 to 2024, and analytics show interest is even higher this summer than at this time last year. The use of the hashtag #HugoSpritz has steadily increased on TikTok over the last year, reaching peak popularity in late June and early July. Creators have been sharing their favorite takes on the recipe, gleefully adding sprigs of mint or splashes of lime juice. The trend has even inspired at least one original piano ballad, which features the standout lyric, "Cuckoo for Hugo, baby." The Hugo Spritz has emerged as the clear successor to its Italian cousin, the Aperol Spritz. The latter enjoyed its own renaissance a few years back, arguably reaching peak popularity in the summer of 2023 — auspiciously fueled by HBO's "The White Lotus," whose celebrated second season was filmed in Sicily and aired in late 2022. Despite its rise to ubiquity, however, Aperol — an apéritif liqueur with strong notes of orange peel and herbs — remains a polarizing ingredient. While some love its bittersweet flavor, others say it tastes thick and medicinal, akin to cough syrup. By comparison, the Hugo Spritz is positively dessert-like. As with most spritzes, it's typically made with two parts prosecco and two parts soda water. The defining addition is elderflower liqueur — a sweet, floral spirit with such broad appeal and versatility that it earned the nickname "bartender's ketchup" in the late aughts. St-Germain has long been considered the leader in the elderflower liqueur market, credited for inspiring a slew of copycats after its launch in 2007. The brand was acquired by Bacardi in 2013, further cementing its dominance. Emma Fox, Bacardi's Global VP, told me via email that St-Germain has seen a 20% increase in retail sales value in the US since last year and an 11% increase over the last five years. Globally, she said the brand's market share has nearly tripled since 2019. "We know that demand for St-Germain continues to grow, particularly this summer, as people are looking for more choice and creativity in their spritzes and discovering our lighter, brighter taste," Fox said. St-Germain is made with hand-picked flowers from elderflower trees that grow in the French Alps. Last year, the brand took advantage of that scenery's aesthetic touchstones in a summer ad campaign featuring "Game of Thrones" star Sophie Turner, which highlighted the Hugo Spritz for its French flair and easy elegance. (The brand reunited with Turner for another campaign launched in May of this year.) Much like how Aperol benefited from its Italian roots and eye-catching cameos in the hands of glamorous onscreen Sicilians, the Hugo Spritz has an aspirational appeal in addition to its tasty flavor profile. In the right context, enjoying an effervescent, European-sourced cocktail can feel like micro-dosing a much-needed getaway. Paige Leyden, Associate Director of foodservice, flavors, and ingredients reports at Mintel, a market intelligence agency, said she noticed the Hugo Spritz trend gain traction in the US in the wake of the 2024 campaign. She attributed the effect to a combination of celebrity influence and our positive associations with a luxurious French lifestyle. "Travel is expensive, but there is that level of escapism when you can just go to a nice bar and sit outside and have this drink," Leyden said. "You might not be on the picturesque Mediterranean coast, but you're still kind of emulating that." Of course, in the age of Instagram and TikTok, the power of a compelling visual cannot be overstated. It's not just that a Hugo Spritz can evoke a picturesque setting, but that the drink itself is picturesque, perfectly engineered for virality. Leyden said her team's research has found that 54% of consumers like to order drinks they see on social media, whether because they were influenced themselves or because they see the potential to influence others — to communicate their knowledge of trends and prove their own sophistication. On TikTok, food and drink influencers are already doing their part. "It's the perfect drink: refreshing, lemony, floral gorgeousness," creator Lex Nicoleta recently declared to her hundreds of thousands of followers while sipping a homemade Hugo Spritz. "I just think there's not a chicer drink in the world." Read the original article on Business Insider
