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Bridezilla? No way! Be crowned a bridechilla by keeping these things in mind.
Your girls all cried tears of joy at your bridesmaid proposal brunch. And now, they can’t wait to help you plan and prep for your big day! But keep in mind something we often say at Brides of Long Island: no one cares about your wedding as much as you do.
That’s not to say that your bridal party doesn’t care at all. Of course they do! But at the same time, their own lives and their own milestones have to take precedent over your wedding. Not accepting this early on can lead to misunderstanding, resentment, and ended friendships.
You want your girls to be excited for you, but you don’t want to be labelled a bridezilla either. Here’s how to be a ‘bridechilla’ when it comes to your bridesmaids, and still get the love and support you need.
Image courtesy of Heritage House
Honor your bridesmaids’ personal styles
You may have your heart set on identical bridesmaid dresses, but the silhouette you want may not be the most flattering choice for your girls. Or maybe you don’t mind different dresses, but you have a ‘mood’ in mind and an extensive Pinterest board to match.
No matter what your preference, think about your bridesmaids’ styles. You don’t have to have your punk rock bestie decked out in destroyed leather, but you should pick look that complements her.
Think about their body shapes and skin tones too. If you’ve got a group of curvy gals with pale complexions, you might want to skip that yellow slip dress you saved.
Consider what you’re asking them to spend
Your wedding only happens once, and you’re ready to bend the budget a bit! But it may be your cousin’s third bridesmaid shift this year, and while she’d love to celebrate your bachelorette in Nashville, she doesn’t have much discretionary income left.
Lavish bachelorettes, grandiose bridal showers, and requiring professional hair and makeup without offering to cover it can really add up. Think about the aspects that mean the most to you, then try to cut back on some of the other elements. For example — if you’re the most excited about your bachelorette but trust your girls with a curling iron, think about making hair and makeup optional.
Image courtesy of JS Visions Photography and Cinematography
Think about their schedules
If you’ve filled up months of weekends with wedding planning fun and want your girls along for the ride, you might want to reconsider. Asking to reserve some days here and there is totally fine, especially as the big day gets closer. But wanting your bridesmaids to dedicate multiple weekends in a row strictly for your wedding may be a bit too much to ask.
You’ll also want to think about timing for your major events. For example — when trying to plan an out-of-town bachelorette, think about a month or season that would work best for the majority of your bridal party (like if most of them are teachers, plan a getaway for the summer).
Appreciate their efforts
Remember the hard work you put into your bestie’s wedding? Think about how it would have felt if she snubbed all your efforts. Your girls love you and want to celebrate you. Be sure to thank them for their care and attention — even if some things don’t go according to plan.
Manage your own expectations
Have champagne dreams on a beer budget? Now’s the time to face reality. You would love to be surrounded by your best friends on a yacht sailing through the French Riviera, but none of you have millions just sitting around in the bank.
Remember — what will make this time special is being surrounded by love and support from your friends, no matter the scenery of surroundings.
Why Ring Leader is a must for your bridal party
Ring Leader, a state-of-the-art app that makes wedding planning a breeze, allows you to anonymously poll your bridesmaids on everything from dress budget to ideal bachelorette spots. Take the guesswork out of managing your bridal party and get honest answers from your girls!