With summer just around the corner, most people have warmer weather and longer days on their minds but then they pull out their trusty calendar and see that every weekend from here on out is booked solid. Booked with weddings and wedding events for friends and family. Booked full of expensive hooplahs reminding us that love surely does not cost a thing, it cost many things and many dollars.

This summer will be my first in about five years that I don’t have between three to five weddings to attend. When I realized this the other day, I actually let out a loud sigh of relief. Not because I don’t like weddings but because it will be nice to finally have a summer to relax and save my money. So, as a reflection of the past few wedding seasons, I thought I’d share with you how to make the most of the summer and the marriages that you will inevitably be attending.

Start Saving Now

When we’re living amidst wedding season we often forget how expensive it can get and while I’ve always been so happy to shower others during their special time, it’s hard to deny it costs a small fortune. Between Stag & Does, Engagement Parties, Showers, and the actual wedding the price of supporting the bride and groom adds up quickly, even more so if you’re in the wedding party. So start saving now, put a designated amount aside from each pay check and label it “Wedding Fund”. This will help ease the pain of the alternative: Being 10 bucks short when you go to pull the wedding gift out of the ATM and having to ask your parents to chip in.

Drink Responsibly

Weddings are the best places to get absolutely drunk and forget all your cares in the world but remember, this is someone else’s day so when wondering if you should have a fourth shot of tequila before dinner has been served think about how this might affect yours and everyone else’s evening. Getting wasted is fun but just be careful not to turn into Pukey Patty, Fighting Frank, or Crying Cate because it could have a negative effect on the bride and groom’s special day and that should never be the goal. Drink lots of water during the day and space your drinks out until at least after dinner, this way you will have more energy to get your drunk on later in the night when Aunt Ethel and the groom’s grandparents head ‘er to bed.

Participate as Much as You Can

Yes, as I touched on earlier, it can get expensive to participate in all the activities leading up to the big day but if you don’t you may regret it later on. Sure, not every couple will opt for an event-filled pre-wedding line up but if they do, so what? It’s easy to complain and wish you could just have a weekend off to relax but trust me, down the road you may regret not attending that Stag & Doe or showering the bride with a Sunday tea. It’s the little things that mean so much to the couple and don’t think they aren’t recognizing your love and support. Actively participating in the wedding and the festivities before-hand will create memories that will mean more to you down the road than a night in with Netflix counting the money you saved by opting out. So, be there, have fun, and enjoy because yes, that Engagement Party may be boring but you being there is what counts.

To the brides and grooms who are anxiously awaiting this upcoming wedding season, relax and take it all in stride. It will be here and gone before you know it, so stress less and enjoy more. Remember that the people who mean the most to you will be there beside you through it all and don’t worry about the ones who aren’t. Life happens and sometimes people just can’t be there but instead of being disappointed by the no-shows focus on those who are by your side. Let the Wedding Season Being!

Shannon Ferguson is a writer who recently returned to her roots in Cornwall. With degrees in Communications, Psychology, and Broadcast Journalism, Shannon created her successful blog, The Love Hawk, and is a contributing writer for many websites including The Huffington Post and Elite Daily. View her blog at www.thelovehawk.com, like her page on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @TheLoveHawk and be sure to listen to her online radio show “The Love Hawk” every Tuesday at 6pm at www.dunet.ca