ALT-5 How to Protect yourself from the Bridezilla Syndrome
Planning your wedding and getting married can be overwhelming with all the details involved. But if you let the pressure get to you, you could find yourself facing the "bridezilla syndrome." Soon a simple meeting with a wedding vendor can become more like a temper tantrum for you. Before you lose your sweetness and tact to the dictatorial ways of the bridezilla, set aside some time to remind yourself about the reality of the situation.
One Day at a TimeYes, your wedding day is possibly the biggest day of your life thus far, and that thought could make you feel a lot of pressure to make things go perfectly. But that's no reason to forget that wedding vendors are hired professionals, not indentured servants, and your friends and family are there to support you, not be harassed. If you take the planning one day at a time, it helps you to stay focused so that you can work your way through your planning checklist. As you keep track of your progress, you'll feel more in control of things, more productive, and more relaxed!
DelegateChances are, your friends and family will be happy to help out with the planning. Try to delegate tasks to them so that you don't feel overwhelmed and so that they can feel involved. It helps to surround yourself with those closest to you who will give you an honest, tactful opinion about your choices during the wedding planning. And most importantly, give everyone (including yourself) a break from the wedding details once in a while.
Free TimeIf you feel that the stress from wedding planning is beginning to swallow you whole, it's crucial that you plan some non-wedding-related activities. You may be under a time crunch before the big day, but things will fall into place. You should especially take some time to hang out with your fiance and truly enjoy each other's company. Drink in the reasons that you make each other happy and decided to undertake this marriage business in the first place.
Union and CelebrationMany bridezillas overlook this important step: Remind yourself that this wedding is not all about you. That's right, in spite of what your friends and the media may imply, this wedding is not all about you. It's about you and your husband-to-be, for you two are a true partnership. It's about your union in front of the people you care about, and as such it should be a time of celebration. It certainly is a special day that will shower you with much attention, and yes, you should be able to decide the details of how the day unfolds; but the most important thing is to bring your loved ones together to celebrate the merging of two lives.
A Case of the HiccupsIf your bridesmaids' shoes don't all match or you forget your cake topper, it doesn't mean that your big day is a disaster, and it certainly doesn't mean that you and your husband-to-be are getting off to a bad start. Little hiccups happen all the time in weddings; they give the day some character, and they give you both something to laugh about down the line.
PerspectiveOverall, try to keep things in perspective. Your wedding is a big day, but it is, after all, just a day. If not everything goes smoothly (and when does it ever?), it will soon be a memory and a source of stories to share.
