News & Articles
Bridezilla be gone
5 Sep 2007
EVERY bride wants to be remembered for that magic twinkle in her eye as she sashays to a proud groom in wait. Those of us who've made that life-altering journey know what it's taken to get there - an endless ‘to do' list, often fraught with life's hiccups, and the financial and family pressures that go into organising the biggest day of your life.
Sometimes it's enough to make you crack around the edges - commonly referred to as ‘bridezilla' syndrome. You'll recognise the signs - frayed nerves, a short temper, pale complexion and a penchant for losing it over the slightest slip-up.
But there's a way to avoid the stress and the meltdown, and A Lavish Affair are happy to share the secrets of their success.
Follow this rose-lined path to the Zen wedding, and your honeymoon will be a deliciously erotic escape, and not a recovery session for a frazzled primadonna whose left a trail of abuse in her wake.
The art of delegation
"Delegation is a bride's best friend," says A Lavish Affair's principal wedding planner Marisa Welcome. She says what pushes many brides into panic mode is taking on too many tasks themselves.
Outsourcing part or all of your event to a wedding co-ordinator can save you time, money and stress, giving you a professional to rely on when the going gets tough.
"I often get calls from brides at all hours in a panic about the guest list blowing out or a change in plans. But there's a solution to every problem and talking it through often finds the answer," says Marisa.
Me time
With so much to organise it's easy to forget to enjoy some downtime. And without some balance, your negative energy is likely to spill out at the next frantic appointment you're trying to squeeze in. A morning walk, an evening yoga session or simply a lazy Sunday afternoon of DVDs can keep brides centred. "Don't lose yourself in a flurry of activity. Be true to the woman you are and what makes you happy, and you'll shine on your day from the inside out," says Marisa.
Body beautiful
So you're probably dieting and hitting the gym, but your health regime shouldn't get excessive. Stick-thin supermodels are also known for their bad breath and nasty tempers, so starvation comes at a price. Pack yourself some healthy snacks like cucumber sticks or a muesli bar if you've got a full day, as an empty stomach is going to bring out the grump in you. And swap one of your pump sessions for a massage, which will make the table arrangements melt into oblivion (even just for an hour).
The love cocoon
Marisa suggests couples take time out closer to the wedding with a seafood picnic or a romantic weekend away. No wedding talk is allowed, just a lover's travel kit to rekindle the romance that brought you together in the first place.
"We send them away with a question/answer game, like name five things about your partner that make you smile, and recalling your first date."
Or if you really want to build the excitement, don't see each other for a few days or a week before the wedding. The sexual tension is going to make for a sizzling start to your life as husband and wife.
Perfection is a myth
Everybody wants a wedding to remember, but perfection is a myth. If you expect every tiny detail to go to plan, you'll only make yourself sick with disappointment. Be realistic and flexible about your planning, and open to suggestions from professionals. Bridezilla is a control freak who thinks there's only one way to do things, but weddings are about compromise. Friends, family and suppliers will also go the extra mile for a bride who can smile and laugh, even under adversity. If you go with the flow, your journey will be a joy, not a burden. And the blushing bride in your photographs will be a woman with no regrets, a clear conscience and a truly blissful outlook.
