The wedding season is well and truly upon us.  A time of fun, excitement and partying, getting out all your fancy clothes - and yes we all know we do it - checking out the opposite sex.  But for some of us it is that dreaded time of year where we have no choice but to check out the opposite sex because everyone has been nagging us left, right and centre to hurry up and get hitched as soon as we had hit 21!

So what is the right age to get married? This could turn into a lengthy debate but I’ll keep it short and simple: Get married when you want to! Yes I know, your parents won’t be happy with that answer, but it’s your life! Why is it that parents can not rest until their children are married?  It’s like the only reason they were put on this Earth was to produce kids and marry them off as soon as possible! And if that wasn‘t enough, you have to have produced a kid of your own by your 1^st wedding anniversary (and possibly even repeat the cycle on them!).

So what is the fascination with the Asian community and marriage?  You could forgive the oldies for harassing you if they were doing it for your own good, but for some it’s all about how other people will perceive them if they have a 30 year old son or daughter who is still single.  It doesn’t matter if you’re independent, happy and successful, and have no desire to marry; you are still seen as an outcast by Asian society.  “There’s probably something wrong with her, which is why she isn’t married yet” or “He’s probably a mummy’s boy which is why no-one wants to marry him”.

Get over yourselves aunties! We just don’t want to end up like you!

My whole summer has been taken over by these glorious nuptials and I’m sure there are many of you in my situation who are dreading the hoards of auntijis who will be on your case trying to set you up with any Tariq, Dipak or Harinder just so they can be the guest of honour at your wedding and brag that if it wasn’t for them, you wouldn’t be getting married at all.

For those of you who actually want to settle down and be an auntiji’s dream, weddings are excellent opportunities to find your other halves.

Yes I know it sounds sad, but there is no harm in having a look if you’re going to be dragged there by your mothers in the pretence of attending your ‘cousin’s wedding’ - when in fact it is a singles do where parents are allowed so they can keep their eye on you.

I have many friends who have found their perfect matches at these singles events, oops sorry, I mean ‘weddings’, and after speaking to them, they have put me at ease ever so slightly and I am now only 90% scared that my mother will embarrass me by marrying me off to her long lost friends son there and then to ensure that I have a guaranteed husband.

I persuaded these friends to share some of their top pulling power tips with us singletons so we can fulfil our parents’ lifetime ambition.

1. If you are attracted to someone, don’t forget that you are at a family event not a club, so don’t start strutting your stuff all over the place. You will get noticed, and I don’t mean in a good way.
2. Observe. Who is your target sitting or mingling with? Chances are that you will know someone who is acquainted with them.  Go over and say hello to your friend while they are in conversation.  That way you’re bound to be introduced to each other.
3. Don’t just sit there hoping that someone will come and chat you up! Go and mingle!  If there is someone in the same situation as you, they will also be looking and if you’re stuck in the same place the whole time you won’t get noticed.
4. Smile! This will bring out your personality by showing that you are friendly and confident
5. Finally if all else fails, check your target out on Facebook (that’s if you manage to find out his/her name). Send them a message asking if they were at the same wedding.  Gets a conversation going - you never know where it could lead.

For those of you who still want to enjoy the single life and get the aunties off your back, there is one way which can deter them from saying the dreaded words “Your next” every time you step foot at a wedding.  The next time you see them at a funeral, just use the same line on them!

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