Three reasons why weddings are awesome networking opportunities

I get it. Some of you will read the title and freak out. Networking is business. Keep it out of personal stuff unless, of course, you've been invited as a business associate of the couple. Wrong. Networking is about making a connection and hopefully building a relationship. Period.

Here are three examples from weddings I have been a guest at in the last 18 months.

Being the Plus 1

This summer just gone, I was my mother's plus-one to her friend's daughter's wedding. I knew that I had probably met the bride once or twice in the last couple of decades, but that was it.

Towards the end, when the couple were doing the rounds, the bride said to me, 'You're Rupa, right? I remember the chat we had about university decisions, and I did end up going to Durham.'

I hadn't remembered that interaction at all and was surprised that she had. Similarly, I had realized through my own wedding research that she and a family member of mine work at the same place, so I stated that. This will give her a reason to reach out to that person should she wish to.

My mother also has reconnected with some guests, and at the time of writing, a weekly meet-up for card games commences.

Wedding activities as touch points

If you've ever been to an Indian wedding, you'll know that there are multiple functions attached. If you're also fortunate enough to be included in more than one, the chances are that you'll see guests multiple times over the period of events.

I met my current boss at a wedding last summer. I only saw him at the wedding reception itself, where we didn't speak much in fairness. And a second time at a post-wedding event. It was about the other peripheral conversations that happened with others across the festivities that were the catalysts for this contact.

A reason to connect beyond the application form and interview.

Recognizing that you are unlikely to spend any time with the couple themselves

I've recently returned from a wedding in Zimbabwe that I was invited to as a friend of the groom. How much time did I get with him? Probably less than 5 mins.

And that's okay.

It's even more okay in this instance as the bridegroom himself is whom I would call a fellow 'connector' - this destination wedding was a place to bring people together, anchored by our love for him. With intentionality, I was assigned roommates that I would get to know better.

I would make two new friends at the wedding reception determined by our table setting.

I would then go on to create shared experiences with a group that I would travel onwards with for a few more days.

I could be accused of writing this while I'm still on a high, but if the above doesn't denote networking and the power of strangers, what does?