Are You A Bridezilla? Take the Bridezilla Test...The original official test!

After listening to Bridezilla horror stories, take the test 

and see if you are deserve the dubious honor.   

And in the upcoming posts, I'll share my stories. 

How to tell if you are a Bridezilla..take the Bridezilla test!


* Is the wedding all about me?

* Do I feel entitled to special treatment from everyone because I'm getting married?

* Do I obsess about every detail of the wedding and have trouble making decisions? Am I changing my 
mind and second guessing every decision I've make?

* Do I talk about my wedding 24/7?

* Do I spend hours online chatting and comparing notes with other brides?

* Are my friends avoiding me because "its all about me"?

* Is my fiancé sick of hearing about the wedding?

* Are I focusing on the wedding instead of the marriage?

* Am I having temper tantrums and anxiety attacks?

* Do I expect perfectionism in every aspect of my wedding?

* Do I expect a huge shower, a bachelorette party, etc?

* Am I in the "gimme gimme I want good gifts" mode?

* Do I spend hours looking at my online wedding registry to see what's been purchased?

* Am I lashing out at my mother, fiancé, bridesmaids and friends?

* Can I do two hours on my wedding hairdo and makeup until my friends want to scream?

* Am I bossing around the wedding party? The staff at the bridal salon? The reception coordinator?

* Do I demand to have everything my own way?

* Am I dictating hair styles, mani and pedi's and the same makeup for my maids?

* Am I complaining about my bridesmaids to everyone who will listen?

* Has any member of the wedding party stepped down due to my behavior?

* Am I telling my fiancé that all the groomsmen MUST have a fresh shave and a haircut?

* Do you insist your wedding has to be better than a cousin, a friend's etc?

*  Is your fiancé making comments about and taking criticism about your behavior?       

* Are you arguing with everyone from your fiancé to your parents to your bridesmaids?


Scoring:


If you answer yes to 5 or less questions: You aren't a Bridezilla.

Some wedding anxiety is normal. You need to step back and relax with your fiancé.

Take a few days off from wedding planning. Take a deep breath, it will all work out fine.

Nothing is perfect and no one will be the wiser if something goes wrong.

If you answer yes to 6 to 10 questions...you are on your way to becoming a Bridezilla.

Its time to reevaluate this wedding and marriage. Are you in love with your fiancé or in love with the 
idea of getting married?

Time to get a grip and get a clue and relax a bit. Its a wedding, its about the two of you. The rest is just a 
party.

If you answer yes to 11 or more questions, you are a full blown Bridezilla.

Time for a major attitude adjustment and its time to make amends to everyone you've alienated during 
the planning process.

Do you really want to get married? What is making you so unhappy?

Work on what's really bothering you and the rest will fall into place.

No one wants to be Bridezilla and no one wants to be around a Bridezilla.

Someone is liable to tell your fiancé what you are all about in Bridezilla mode, buy him a pair of track 
shoes and tell him to run!

Don't let it happen to you, take a deep breath and re access your priorities.

What is normal wedding behavior?


* To be excited and focused on the wedding and marriage.

* To have dreams of wedding disasters like walking down the aisle in the wrong dress, or walking 
down the aisle naked or that no guests show up.

* To include your friends and family in the fun and planning. While your friends are part of the 
celebration, your wedding not the focus of THEIR life.

* To think about your wedding 24/7, just don't talk about it 24/7.

* To have fleeting moments of second guessing and indecision. I always tell my customers, a bad 
decision is better than no decision.

* To occasionally compare notes online with other brides and check your online registry. When this 
becomes an obsession, it signals trouble.

* To practice different makeup and hair styles, but when you have to try each one with your wedding 
dress, its becoming a problem.

* To realize that the wedding is about you and your husband starting a life together. The reception is 
just a big party!

* To want things perfect, but have the common sense to know that nothing is perfect.

Feel free to share you Bridezilla stories and I may even share some of the more unique ones here.

The Bridezilla test is copyright 2007-2009-14 by www.beachbride2be.com  and Weddingzilla. 
 Feel free to link to this site to share it with your friends.

Life Throws a Curve Ball, So Does Wedding Planning

Yes, I've been missing in action because life threw me a huge curve ball. Suddenly, I have custody of a teen aged relative. I don't know how it happened, it just happened. Guess it was part of a bigger plan for my life. "Kyle" needed a home, security and parents. Maybe dealing with brides and bridezillas prepared me for dealing with a teenager. Maybe I just had an extra bedroom. Whatever, I'm rolling with it.

Life is funny, when you think its all planned out, something happens and you have to adapt. The same with wedding planning. Just when you think its all coming together, something happens and derails the plan. You either roll with it and go to Plan B, or you make yourself a miserable mess. Learning how to roll with the punches makes life and wedding planning a lot easier.

So what if the tuxes are a shade off from the maids dresses? How important is that in the context of your marriage? I've seen grown women melt into mushy puddles over tiny details that really are not noticeable and I want to grab them by the shoulders and tell them to get a grip. Pick your battles, pick what stresses you out and roll with the rest. Its the only way to get through life and its the only way to get through wedding planning. Because, its not the wedding, its the marriage that matters!

How To Make Your Bridesmaids Hate You and Ruin Your Friendship FOR FREAKING EVER

I would like to hear the statistics on how
many weddings end with one or more of
the bridesmaids never speaking to the
bride again. Sadly, it happens.
Sometimes its the fault of both, sometimes
the blame goes on the shoulders of the
bride or the bridesmaid. It shouldn't
happen, but it does.

I was the victim of a Bridezilla myself.
I stepped in as a bridesmaid when her
friend got pregnant. Barbie, the
bride, wanted to keep the girls symmetrical
both in height and weight. That should have
rang a bell, but it didn't. She was my good
friend, I thought I was helping her out.

She started by insisting we wear matching
bras and she checked them out so they
were adjusted to her liking. No cleavage,
no boobs bigger than hers. The dresses
were hideous, a mint green (gag) and we
had to wear matching GREEN eyeshadow.
She made us line up for inspection before
we got dressed for the wedding. Barbie
inspected our makeup. She had everyone in
tears when she started smearing our makeup.
Then she made us remove our nail polish.
She wiped off our lipstick and made us all wear
the same shade off the same tube. Yuck.
Her mantra....you are representing me and
you will represent me the way I say you
will represent me. We weren't allowed to
eat or drink even before we were dressed
and before we walked down the aisle, she
rechecked our bra straps and our teeth
for lipstick. Her mother kept saying
"Its her day, you do what she says".

Oh, and we had scheduled bathroom breaks.
She had a breakdown of when we were
ALLOWED to go to the bathroom.
And did I mention she did all of this with
a cigarette hanging out of her mouth
while she was dressed in her wedding
finery?

We weren't allowed to eat at the reception
until she and the groom ate and we were only
allowed to dance with our groomsman partner
and not our SO or dates. It was misery.
I don't think anyone has ever spoken to
her since. The groom is a great guy, we
should have helped him escape. ;)

So if you want your bridesmaids to hate
you forever, here's what to do:

• Damn their budgets, this is the dress I want them to wear.

• Tell them the dress deposit is due tomorrow.
  

• Choose a dress that is unflattering on them.

• Choose a color that is hideous on their complexions because you like that color.

• Choose a wacky theme that forces them to wear costumes.

• Insist they accompany you to every dress fitting, every wedding shopping spree whether it involves them or not and bitch because they just aren't into your wedding.

• Spam them with text messages and emails about the wedding plans.

• Talk nonstop about your wedding and get ticked off at them when they aren't excited to hear about it.

• Plan your own shower and tell them they owe you for it.

• Plan your own bachelorette party and make them pay.

• Start wedding projects, like printing your own invitations and making centerpieces and make attendance mandatory.

• Make hair and makeup appointments for them and forget to tell them that they have to pay for it themselves.
  

• Schedule a spa day on them.

• Make them take time off of work for dress fittings so you can be there to supervise.
  

• Forget that it is final exam week and they have to study.

• Complain about them to anyone who will listen.

• Make remarks about their weight at their dress fitting.
  

• Insist upon matching updos even if she has short hair.

• Buy them matching shoes and then give them the bill.

• Assign them tasks that they don't have time to do because you don't want to pay someone to do it.
  

• Keep repeating to them "Its MY day".

• Forgetting to thank them for all they've done for you.

Yes, these have all happened in various
weddings and we heard it from the maids.
If you want to ruin a friendship, do any
of the above, and trust me, its a done deal.

Moral of the story: Be nice to your maids,
keep them in the loop, keep their budget
in mind and shut up about your wedding.
They are shelling out considerable cash
to do YOU a favor and they are your
friends and family. You won't get a
do over, and a wedding is supposed to
be a joyous occasion. The bride sets
the tone. Make it a good one!

Fun from the Drill Sargeant Bridezilla

Sad but true!

Confidential: To All My Bridesmaids
From: Princess Bride

It is with deep regret that I must
announce that I fired my wedding
coordinator. There was a clash of personalities
and she had to go. I have decided to step up
to the plate and take control of the situation
myself.

First up: I have decided to dispense of the
curtsy when the groomsman takes your arm to
lead you down the aisle. Yes, I know I insisted,
but John says if the girls curtsy he is walking
out. While I thought it was rocking, he thought
it was dumb and his sister said she wouldn't
do it and his mom got in on it and yuck! Sorry,
Sara, don't tell your mom about this, OK?
We won't have a curtsy practice. Now,
are you all happy?

Second up: I need an update on my shower.
I talked to the florist and no one has
submitted any directions for the floral
arrangements for the shower, so I submitted
them myself. I choose a multiflower arrangement
with colors that compliments the blue in
John's eyes.
It will be on your bill.

I don't want any dumb shower games and there
is no way I will allow you to put me in a toilet
paper dress or veil. As we discussed, this is
a classy affair and I want the country club
feel to the shower. Again, please stress to anyone
to buy only what is on my registries so I don't
have to exchange anything or live with some
butt ugly thing that doesn't match my decor.

I've chosen the shower favors I want online and I need
someone to give me their credit card so I can
purchase them. You can do the math to split
up the cost between yourselves.

Third up: Has everyone bought their shoes for
the wedding? I have clear plastic bins to place
your shoes for the wedding so they don't get smudged.
Makeup is NOT to be placed in the bins. Shoes must
have a slip pad on the outsole so no one falls. Shoes
are NOT to be worn for any reason before the wedding.
Even though they won't show under the dress, I'll know.

Fourth and final thought of the day: Absolutely no
public displays of affection between you and your
significant other at any wedding related festivities.
This is about me and John, not YOU!

Think happy thoughts!
Love,
PB




Run like hell for your life!!!

Bridezillas: From Fun to Ridiculous

Are you a Bridezilla? Do you momentarily
lapse into Bridezilla mode? Wedding stress
can cause even the sweetest bride to turn into a
venom spewing person that frightens everyone in
their path, including themselves. We've categorized
Bridezillas and we hope you don't see yourself
in any category!

The Webzilla Bridzilla
The Webzilla has gotten all her advice from other
web brides and pseudo wedding experts. Armed with a
crap load of pictures and bad advice, she's out
for the hunt. She has carpel tunnel from pounding
the keyboard and strained eyes from staring at
photos online. She'll consider ordering her dress
directly from China to save cash and scream when
she sees that the cost of shipping has escalated and
the dress doesn't look like the picture. Then she'll
reboot her computer, trash them on wedding boards
and start from scratch.

The Entitled Bridezilla
My least favorite Bridezilla, this gal feels entitled
to special treatment by EVERYONE in her life because
she is THE BRIDE. She expects kid glove treatment
from her family and friends because its finally
"my turn". She wants what she wants and demands you
make it happen. She is prone to temper tantrums
and treating others badly. She pays no attention to
others schedules, its all about me, baby. I wore that
ugly dress in your wedding, now you'll wear this.

The 24/7 Bridezilla
Run, don't walk from this Bridezilla. She means well,
but she's in 24/7 wedding mode. You are supposed to
care about her wedding as much as she does. Its HER
wedding, all of the time. Unless you want to listen
to useless trite dribble about matching the color of
the napkins to a color on a butterfly's wing, tell her
the dog just puked on your carpet and hang up.
Some well meaning friend needs to tell her, hey, get
a life.

The Bridezilla With Possee
This is the Bridezilla who travels with a possee
of contrarians. They are armed with digital cameras,
notebooks and a slew of phone numbers. Every one is
a self ordained wedding expert who serve as nothing
other than to confuse the bride and exert opinions
of what THEY like. They will trash her hair color,
makeup and comment on the size of her bee-hind.
They'll piss her off royally and she'll blow.

The Drill Sargeant Bridezilla

The ultra organized bride who expects everyone to
jump when she barks orders. She treats her wedding
party like Army privates in basic training.

This is an actual time line from a Drill Sarge Bridezilla:

Friday, 6PM: Deadline for submitting your dress for approval
for the rehearsal dinner. Do I need to stress AGAIN that
I want new, flowered sundresses with a crisp white background?
No low necklines, no halters, no minis and dress must have
straps that must be worn. No bra straps are to show and white
bras must be worn!!!
Sandals must match a color in the print and pedicures are
a must. No ankle bracelets, dangling earrings or toe rings.
Makeup is NOT optional, but no shiny or sparkly eyeshadow
or Amy Winehouse eyeliner, please.

The rehearsal cocktail party will be at Kara's house at 7pm
on Thursday, the 18th. Kara, make sure you have practiced
the martini as we discussed.
NO MEMBER OF THE WEDDING PARTY IS ALLOWED TO DRINK!!
You are expected to mix and mingle with all guests and
act as hostesses to make everyone feel welcome.

8 hours of sleep required because Friday is the rehearsal
dinner and I expect you to show up in your rehearsal
attire at 6PM at the church. Rehearsal is at 6:30 to ?
Please use the bathroom prior to the official start time
because there will be no breaks allowed until the
rehearsal is over. Dinner will be at the restaurant
after rehearsal. You are expected to be finished before
10pm so you can go home and rest up for my wedding
on Saturday.
Oh, and don't forget to wash and wax your cars for
the pre wedding festivities.

Mutiny anyone?

Wedding Humor: The Delusional Bride

I found this spoof of weddings hysterical.
It came from the website Somethingawful.com

We've all known a delusional bride, the
gal who was born to plan her wedding.
She hasn't given a thought to the marriage,
rarely mentions the groom or his ideas,
but she can do two hours on her cake or
nail polish choices for the big day.
She lives, eats and breathes her wedding.
She'll bore you will details and she'll be
upset if you don't share her enthusiasm.
Hey, its not YOUR wedding, do you really care?

It will be over eventually, reality will set in
and Bridezilla will become Wifezilla. In the
meantime, its OK to have a giggle.

Wedding Trends for 2008

Here is my list of hot wedding trends for 2008:

• Eco friendly "green weddings" or incorporating elements of green into the festivities.
  

• Wedding invitations on recycled papers or printing your own invites at home

• Donating to an ecological cause (like donating to the National Arbor foundation) in lieu of a wedding favor
  

• The bride and groom taking dance lessons so they can dance their first dance like the "stars".
  

• Chocolate fountains at the reception

• Romantic receptions with tiny glittering lights and candles

• Wedding toasts and speeches

• Destination weddings

• Outdoor wedding ceremonies

• Writing your own wedding vows

• Incorporating elements of the bride and groom's personality into the wedding

• Silly things like tambourines at the reception to get the bride and groom to kiss rather than clinking a glass with a spoon.
  

• Unique wedding cakes and cup cakes trees
  

• Colorful bouquets of flowers

Feel free to comment on the trends you see in your area!

What's a Weddingzilla?

Weddingzilla is a blog dedicated to all things wedding and those of us who love weddings. I've been in the wedding business for 30 years. Weddingzilla is a term I coined. Weddingzilla an out of control person in the wedding. It could be a bride who would then be a Bridezilla. A bridesmaid would be a Maidzilla an an out of control mom of the wedding is a Momzilla. Weddingzilla is a term that encompasses all of them and more. Sometimes I'm the Weddingzilla! Or a Weddingzilla could just be a state of mind for feeling overwhelmed in the wedding planning process.

Wedding stress is normal. When it gets out of control, its time to talk the person down or run for cover.

I love the name Weddingzilla for the title of my blog. Its a term I've been using for years as the owner of a bridal salon. Dealing with women and sometimes men brides is not easy, but its ALWAYS interesting. Every day is a challenge, every day we sit with our heads in our hands shaking our head. I've met all kinds of people from the nicest to the truly weird. And I've loved every minute of it!