Art can imitate life, sometimes in a very awkward way.

In the movie, “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” Bridget is the only single to attend a dinner party filled with smug couples. She’s seated alone at the end of the table and drilled on her love life.

In real life, singles often find themselves the only unpaired guests at a social gathering. Angie Cimarolli, 26, of Aurora, Ill., is recently single and says many of her friends are not.

“Most of my friends are married or engaged or living with the person,” Cimarolli says. “I am literally the only single person in a couple of groups of people, and that’s fine.”

Attending a party solo is not a problem for Cimarolli, but some singles feel uncomfortable when all the other guests are attached – especially with Valentine’s Day approaching and the constant reminders of love and romance.

Whether a host is throwing an intimate dinner party or a large cocktail party, there are ways to avoid singling out the singles.

Mixing singles, couples

Creative seating is one way to make sure all guests feel included. Etiquette adviser Peter Post recommends couples not sit together during dinner.

“It’s a great way to make things work for everybody,” Post says.

It’s also an easy way to avoid the “Bridget Jones”-type dinner party. Matt Jacobs, 23, of Boston, is single and says singles don’t want to be stuck alone at the end of the table.

“In my eyes, couples should be able to survive without sitting next to each other for a night,” Jacobs says.

Another option for seating is to give guests assigned seats and purposely place people next to strangers. Cimarolli has a friend who plays host to a Valentine’s Day party each year and sits all guests next to someone they don’t know.

A buffet is another way to help singles feel comfortable. Guests can find their own seats and mingle where they are happy. Cimarolli prefers a buffet setup and says it’s nice to have several rooms filled with activity so you can take a break if needed.

Besides seating arrangements, hosts also should pay attention to the atmosphere of the party. Author Jill Murphy Long says music can have an impact and recommends keeping a mix of music – not just love songs – on the play list. The recently “spurned” might have a hard time with romantic tunes, says Murphy Long, author of “Permission to Party” (Sourcebooks, $14.95).

“There are so many love songs out there, if that’s all you have on your XM radio or iPod, it might turn somebody into a wet puddles of tears,” Murphy Long says.

Being a good guest

Singles often find themselves the only unpaired guests at a social gathering.

So can singles leave if the love songs are on full blast and the dinner is awkward? Not until after dessert, Post says.

“There’s a little bit of a social contract when you go to party. You need to be a good guest,” Post says.

Part of being a good guest is understanding when you’re simply not on the guest list. Post says a couple may choose to host a party and only invite other couples.

“It’s not up to a potential guest to comment negatively on why they were not invited to a party,” Post says.

There are some social situations where singles may be encouraged to bring a date. Both Cimarolli and Jacobs say they prefer bringing a date or a friend to large events such as weddings or banquets.

At large events, Cimarolli says hosts should mix singles and couples together at tables. “It’s hard when a slow song comes on and everyone gets up to dance. You’re literally sitting by yourself,” Cimarolli says.

Playing matchmaker

Many people enjoy setting up singles. Cimarolli introduced a friend from work to a high school acquaintance and now the two are engaged. More recently, she arranged for her cousin to meet a friend.

Both couples agreed to the meeting, and Post agrees that consent is key. Don’t invite two people to dinner and have them as your only dinner guests. Otherwise, it’s no better than a forced blind date, Post says.

When trying to make a love connection between two friends, Cimarolli says hosts should invite the potential couple to a large gathering so the focus isn’t on the introduction. “You have to meet in a common place where there is more than a couple of you. It has to be in an atmosphere where people feel like talking,” Cimarolli says.

The host can do the introductions, and Cimarolli recommends stating a few things they have in common and then letting the two chat. “You have to be careful how you introduce people,” Cimarolli says. “The best way to introduce people is to give a couple bits of information that you know are shared.”

Hosts also should consider whether a setup is even appreciated. One of Jacobs’ friends recently married and his new wife is on a mission to find someone for Jacobs. “If someone isn’t looking to be set up, there is no need to play matchmaker,” he says.

If a host plays matchmaker and you don’t like their taste, Post says a single should treat the person like any other guest. Make small talk before excusing yourself to refill a drink or chat with a friend.

“Don’t think of it as a setup,” Post says, “even if your friend thought of it as a setup.”