Are You Guilty Of Being A Bridezilla? 10 Signs You Need To Tone It Down

Many women grow up dreaming of the day they’ll tie the knot. It’s completely normal to have high expectations for your wedding day – after all, you’re only going to do this once (or at least that’s the plan). That’s why it’s so easy to turn into a Bridezilla. While you might think that being neurotic or intolerably demanding is the only way to get what you want, it can cause a lot of tension in your relationships with friends and family. Not to mention, it’s going to take a toll on you. You may not think you’re becoming an overly obsessive bride, but if you fit any of the following signs, then you may want to tone it down a bit.

1. You’re Going Way Over Budget (& Don’t Care). Weddings are expensive! You’ll likely spend more than you were planning, but if you’re unabashedly spending money you don’t have just so everything looks perfect, you need to evaluate why you’re getting hitched. You’re about to start the rest of your life with someone; that’s the most important thing. But if your wedding is starting to impact your financial future, then take a step back.
2. You Have Unrealistic Standards For Your Bridal Party. It’s an honor to be asked to be someone’s bridesmaid or maid of honor. But that doesn’t mean they have an obligation to bend to your every whim. It’s important to be respectful of people’s budgets. Not everyone can afford a $200 bridesmaid’s dress they’ll only wear once. Similarly, don’t expect your bridal party to carry the weight of your wedding plans. They’re there to support you, not to serve you.
3. All Your Free Time Is Focused On Wedding Planning. Weekends are for relaxing (and spending one-on-one time with your fiancé). But if you’re using every spare minute to focus on wedding planning, you may be going overboard. Sure, if you’re planning it in a short time span, you may be pressed for time and need to use every waking minute to get things in order. But it’s still important to have a balance to make sure you’re not being obsessive.
4. You Don’t Let Your Fiancé Have Any Say. Surprisingly, a wedding isn’t only about the bride. After all, it takes two to get hitched. Some fiancés don’t care about having a say in wedding planning, but others expect to be involved. However, if you’re not willing to let your significant other have any input in what’s also their big day, then you’re definitely becoming too controlling over planning your wedding.
5. It’s Taking A Toll On Your Relationship. This goes hand-in-hand with the last point. If all of your energy is focused on the wedding, and even more, you’re denying your fiancé a say, then it’s not going to bode well for your relationship. Remember, the whole reason you’re getting married is that you’ve found the one. It’s important to focus on nurturing your relationship prior to your big day. You don’t want end up having a ton of unresolved issues between the two of you as newlyweds because the wedding got in the way.
6. You Tell The Professionals How To Do Their Job. You’ll likely hire a caterer, photographer, wedding officiant, and other professionals to help you put the big day together. You may even invest in a wedding planner if you’re willing to let go of some control. It’s important to vocalize your expectations of what you want. But if you’re becoming overly demanding and starting to tell people how to do their job, you’re definitely entering Bridezilla territory and are going to rub a lot of people the wrong way.
7. You Keep Comparing Your Wedding To Other People’s. Remember, the point of your wedding is to celebrate your relationship … not to one-up someone else’s nuptials. If you’re obsessed with having a bigger and better celebration than everyone else you know, you’re going to drive yourself crazy. If this is your mindset, you’re forgetting the main reason you’re having a wedding in the first place. Take a step back and re-evaluate your priorities.
8. Everyone Is Telling You To Cool Down. If other people are telling you you’re turning into a Bridezilla, then there’s a good chance they’re right. You want to make sure your guests have an enjoyable experience at your wedding. But if you’re in everybody’s ears about what they need to do to make your big day special, everyone is going to be on edge. Whether it’s your bridesmaids, mother, or fiancé telling you to take a chill pill, make sure you take their advice to heart.
9. You’re Enraged When Small Things Don’t Go Your Way. When you’re spending thousands of dollars on a wedding, it’s normal to want everything to be picture-perfect. But it’s not normal to throw a fit when small things don’t go your way. You’ve got to pick and choose your battles. If the caterer doesn’t make enough food, then say something. But if their crab cakes are a bit too salty, is it really worth making a big deal over?
10. Your Life Has Become Consumed By Wedding Planning. If your wedding is all you think and talk about, then you may be going overboard with things. It’s normal to get stressed out when planning a wedding given what an important day it is. But if you’re having constant anxiety, trouble sleeping, or other signs of deteriorating mental health, it’s a sign you’re going overboard. You want to be able to enjoy the process of planning a wedding, but if you’re too consumed by it, you’ll get overwhelmed quickly.