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An ex-girlfriend has a theory about why so many friendships don't survive the chaos of wedding planning.
In February, Jaina (@jainaazalea) took to TikTok, less than two weeks before her big day, to explain her experience losing friends amid wedding stress.
“I recently confirmed the theory that you do, in fact, lose friends while planning your wedding,” Jaina began. While it may have been harsh to say, the content creator argued that you shouldn’t “mourn” the loss of friendships.
As she pieced together the details of her wedding, her unhealthy friendships became apparent. With little free time between attending to wedding matters and trying to live her normal day-to-day life, the friendships that once seemed healthy no longer were.
“I feel like it really puts into perspective what friendships aren't well-balanced,” Jaina said. “Relationships ebb and flow. There's always going to be times where maybe you give more, or the other person gives more, because everyone goes through their own things in life.
“But I feel like you really see him for what he is during wedding planning,” she continued.
The woman, who tied the knot with her forever partner on February 22, went on to talk about how wedding planning takes you into a whole new stage in life, a time some friends may not have experienced yet.
She noted: “Do you feel like sometimes you are progressing in a different stage of life and there is someone who is not?”
“I can certainly see how that could upset the balance of a friendship,” Jaina commented.
Relationships are often built on loyalty and trust, but often people have different expectations. For Jaina, wedding planning left her feeling very alone, without many people to “lean on” for support. The friend she thought she could count on wasn’t there when she needed him.
She confessed, “The friend I lost was a lifelong friend.” That being said, Jaina has always believed in the divine concept that “everything happens for a reason.” What will be, will be, and most likely it was meant to end the way it did.
“Why am I going to sit here and be sad about something that was going to be inevitable?” she asked herself. “If things end naturally, and even if they happen at times of great happiness and great events in your life, like weddings, where you’re supposed to be celebrating and it’s supposed to be the best time of your life, don’t let that dampen your joy. Just move on.”
Many commentators agreed with Jaina's theory and added their own insights and experiences.
One TikTok user wrote: “People get jealous or are not honest about the happy moments in your life. Sometimes we should be carefree with friends.”
“I’ve been engaged for a month and I haven’t seen my friends in a long time,” admitted one experienced woman. One bride said, “What a nice way to put it! I’m going through this right now and my wedding is in 3 months.”
