10 Steps to Avoid Becoming Bridezilla. A guide for brides, bridesmaids, the brides parents, and the groom.
Every bride wants the most beautiful wedding day that they can possibly imagine. Most girls have been dreaming of this day since they were a little girl. But at what point does a bride start being a bridezilla? Having photographed or filmed over 200 weddings in the last decade, I wanted to share some bridezilla horror stories by offering advice on how to avoid the bridezilla scenario.
This article is for brides, bridesmaids who are trying to keep their bride calm and collected, the brides parents who may need to know when to step in, and of course the groom!
HOW TO KEEP FROM TURNING………… BRIDEZILLA.
1. Remember that there is more to life than your wedding. When you meet up with friends and family, don’t forget to ask them about them. Limit the time you spend talking about your wedding. Spending the day with family or friends” Allocate certain times to talk about wedding planning and certain times not to. This is one way that your bridesmaids will notice you’re still caring about them, and they will see that you want to avoid becoming Bridezilla.
2. Relax and don’t panic. Remember the episode of The Simpsons where Marge is running up and down the plane screaming ‘let me off let me off!’ Don’t be that bride who screams “It’s MY WEDDING!” at all her friends and family. Don’t worry about things that might happen, and when something goes wrong, take it in stride and choose to be happy no matter what. You can’t control everything. This is the best advice when it comes to not becoming Bridezilla.
3. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Perhaps it’s the week of your wedding and you’ve found that your favorite Aunt can’t make it. Maybe your ‘something borrowed’ went missing the day before the wedding. Whatever the situation, don’t let it place a dampner on your day. From the time you’re having your hair and makeup done to the time you leave your reception, a wedding day is usually around 15 hours or longer, with hundreds of people involved. Anything can happen at any time, and life isn’t always exactly as we imagine in our head. Breathe, relax, and be HAPPY! A guest got drunk and started hitting on your mom? Laugh it off and move forward with the bridal events! If you don’t sweat the small stuff, you avoid becoming bridezilla.
4. Respect your bridesmaids + family circumstances. Many years ago the brides parents paid for the wedding, but most couples pay for their own these days. Make sure your expectations on your parents are reasonable and realistic for them. Whilst it may have been standard for bridesmaids to pay for their own dress, hair, and makeup many years ago, more brides are opting to paying for their bridesmaids and groomsmen to participate now. Has one of your bridesmaids just become pregnant? This doesn’t need to be a big deal. Just factor her body changes into the timeline leading up to the wedding. Don’t refer to one of the bridesmaids as ‘the ugly one’. Remember that your bridesmaids are your friends and need to be valued. Don’t make demands that could put pressure on even the best of friendships. Definately don’t put a strain on your friendships and family if you want to avoid becoming bridezilla.
5. Treat your mother + your fiance with love. We only get one mother, and you’ve only got one fiance. Let your wedding planning and your wedding day be a beautiful time that the two of you share. There is never a good reason to abuse your mother on or leading up to your wedding day. Cherish the time you spend together planning your wedding with your mum, and it will help your wedding photographer capture the best emotional shots of you and your mum on the day. Love your fiance and your family and you’re one step closer to avoiding becoming bridezilla.
6. Treat your wedding vendors as well as they treat you. As long as you’ve hired quality wedding vendors, your wedding suppliers will be doing their best to help make your wedding day as amazing as possible. Remember to treat them with respect, and help them out by giving reviews and referrals. Avoid Becoming Bridezilla.
7. Smile and nod when people give you unwanted wedding advice. Perhaps you’ve chosen a pink dress but Grandma is upset that you’re not getting married in white. Maybe you have chosen a fascinator or tiara but your mother really wanted you to wear a veil. Be polite and kind when listening to the opinions and thoughts of other people about your wedding, and listen with a smile as you hear their dreams for your wedding. You’re still making your own decisions, you just aren’t disrespecting theirs. They will notice you when you avoid becoming bridezilla.
8. Remember that other people aren’t mind readers. It is fine to be particular and want things a certain way, but remember that other people can’t guess what you want if you don’t tell them. I remember another wedding photographer once said to me “Don’t ask, don’t get!” It seems simple but it really is an important fact of life. Perhaps you really love beautiful black and white photographs and the photographer you have chosen, doesn’t promote a lot of them. Share your thoughts and ask the questions you want answered. Perhaps the groom didn’t buy you the thermomixer you were expecting as an engagement gift from him. Perhaps you’re angry that your bridesmaids aren’t calling you enough to talk about the wedding. Other people can’t read your mind, so express your thoughts to give them a chance to respond. People can’t read your mind. Avoid Becoming Bridezilla!!
9. Don’t make midnight phone calls unless it’s for pizza. Don’t call people at midnight to discuss your wedding plans. This includes your wedding vendors and your parents! It can be tempting to run to the phone while you’re laying in bed staring at the ceiling thinking non-stop about your wedding, but avoid becoming bridezilla. Everyone will love you more!
10. If you’re dieting, watch your mood. It’s great to set goals that you want to achieve, but sometimes goals can have side effects. If you’re jogging 10 hours a week and living on celery, your mood might be more erratic than usual. Listen to your loved ones when they try to tell you what they’re observing. Avoid Becoming diet Bridezilla or “dietzilla.”
IN SUMMARY you can keep from turning bridezilla by checking this list.
1) “There is more to life than my wedding”
2) Relax. Don’t panic!
3) Don’t sweat the small stuff
4) Respect
5) Love your loved ones
6) Treat your vendors well
7) Smile and nod
8) “People are not mind readers”
9) Don’t make midnight calls
10) Watch your mood
So that about sums up my 10 Steps to Avoid Becoming Bridezilla. If you know a bride who needs to learn how to keep from turning bridezilla then pin this post to your pinterest, share it on facebook, and instagram! I would love to see your comments!
The next article is https://skysimonephotography.com/photographers-want-brides-know-start-planning/
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