The Bridezilla Syndrome: Do You Have It? Ten Ways to Avoid All the BS!
In a fast-paced world of wedding planning, stress levels are high; immune systems are low; and over the course of the past 20 years, brides have transmitted, what has become a bridal epidemic of our time.
The number of victims has steadily increased; and to date, there is no cure. It's been dubbed various clinical names: Multiple Personality Disorder, Schizophrenia, Temporary Insanity. But in the world of matrimony, anyone who's been exposed - fiancés, family, friends, and victims themselves -- this broadening illness has been commonly termed "Bridezilla Syndrome" or "BS."
A contagious condition, BS has become more prominent and has plagued today's busy, wedding-planning woman. In a preliminary study, the disease has spread at an alarming rate. Symptoms of victims of BS -- better known as Bridezillas -- include reoccurring mood spells, bouts with selfishness, signs of controlling behavior and feelings of meticulousness.
Unfortunately fiancés, bridal party members, friends and family eventually fall victim to the actions and attitudes of a Bridezilla.
Research suggests that symptoms are recognized most often by the fiancé and Maid of Honor, and are completely undetectable by the actual victim. In some cases, a bridal party member, who having had too much alcohol to drink, confronted the Bridezilla. Most often, an emotional, breakdown of the victim would follow, thus intensifying her condition. In a survey of 100 Maids of Honor, an alarming 85% said they avoided confrontation with the victim for fear it would only exasperate the illness.
So we must ask the underlying questions: Where is all this BS coming from? How does one know when she's full of it? Unfortunately the source has not been found; though it is believed that it has existed since the dawn of the institution of marriage. A short-term condition (symptoms persist about 1-2 years depending on one's wedding date), Bridezillas seem to have been unfairly blamed for their actions, for which some believe they have no control, albeit their control over everything else. In fact, it's been clinically proven that a Bridezilla actually does have feelings -- feelings of selfishness, insecurity, anxiousness and stress!
Though it's been said there is no cure, there are ways to prevent infection of BS. A survey of healthy brides, whom successfully planned their weddings without contracting the disease, was conducted. Results showed commonalities of the actions performed to avoid the disorder. Doctors, psychologists and wedding planners strongly suggest the following preventative therapy:
1. Keep Perspective - remind yourself that the wedding is only one day in your life. When things get out of control, close your eyes and remember the reason why you are planning this wedding in the first place.
2. Don't Assume Your Groom Doesn't Want to Help - ask him what he'd like to take responsibility for; and then let him. (note: some grooms may follow the cliché and decline this offer.)
3. Know That You Can't Control Everything - realize this and accept it!
4 Delegate. Delegate. Delegate - If you act like you can handle everything, people will let you. Spread the duties.
5. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff - people won't remember whether or not your invitations had those cute little tissues enclosed.
6. Treat The People You Cherish with Love - the wedding is one day; your family and friends are forever.
7. Allow Others to Vent - give your fiancé, family and bridesmaids permission to tell you when you're going off the deep-end.
8. Take the Heat - give yourself permission to hear them.
9. Do Something for Yourself Every Day - the catch is that it must not involve the wedding.
10. No Wedding Talk After 10pm.
Although preventative therapy is available, some brides inherently fall victim and still contract BS. But there is hope! This is not a terminal illness. In fact in most cases, the bride has been known to be miraculously cured once she has returned from her honeymoon. Doctors and psychologists theorize that the change in altitude from flying coupled with excessive levels of the love hormone, Oxytocin counteracts the disease by boosting the immune system, thus eliminating symptoms.
In cases of remission, the disease has been known to resurface when a person, under certain circumstances, may be planning her wedding again. According to research, those brides with a higher IQ score avoided the reoccurrence of symptoms by simply eloping.
Whatever your situation, whether a Bridezilla, fiancé, friend or family member of one -- join in the fight! With love, hope and education, our brides of the future and their bridal parties will have a winning chance against all the BS!
Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul NOW available at all bookstores and at discount online at amazon.com.
THE PERFECT WEDDING BEGINS WITH INSPIRATION! Romantic, humorous, touching and true. This books brings to light the true meaning of love and commitment, whether you are newly engaged, recently married or reflecting on the years of married bliss. Makes the perfect bridal shower gift!
Visit www.bridesoul.com for more information about Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul.
Footnote: Preventative Therapy of Bridezilla Syndrome provided by www.WeddingQuestions.com.
By the author of Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul.
Gina Romanello is the author of Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul.
A graduate from Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism, Gina was thrilled when given the opportunity to join the Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul team. Her temporary position turned into eight years of employment in their book production department.
Her position as Executive Administrator to Patty Hansen & Irene Dunlap has played an integral part in the compiling and marketing of Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul, Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul, Christmas Treasury for Kids, Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul II and Chicken Soup for the Girl's Soul.
Noticing many friends and family members endure the stress of planning a wedding, Gina saw a need for Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul, a Chicken Soup title sure to comfort and enlighten a stressed-out bride planning her big day.
Contact Gina at gina@chickensoupforthebridesoul.com or visit her website http://www.bridesoul.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Cameroon: STV's Consty Ties Nuptial Knot AllAfrica.com, Washington - The year 2008 would have rounded off without any major romantic event until STV's rising star, Constantain Mbom took the stage with Mercy Ngahene Assama in ... |
 Las Vegas Weekly | Morning Call Exclusive Interview: Fergie talks about music ... Las Vegas Weekly, NV - By Robin Leach There’s no question that pop superstar Fergie is “over the moon” happy in love with actor Josh Duhamel. There’s no doubt the handsome, ... |
 Examiner.com | Same-Sex Marriage: Wedding Priestess Believes. But Washington Post ... Examiner.com - by Ann Keeler Evans, Philadelphia Marriage Examiner "Oh," says WP, pulling her hair. Reading the Washington Post today, I came across an editorial proposing ... |
The Year In Celebdom: From Beyonce To Tina 'Sarah Palin' Fey Hartford Courant, United States - By Tirdad Derakhshani The Philadelphia Inquirer/MCT The year fades away (last ember in fireplace, puff of smoke), but, like an itch at the back of the ... |
 Xinhua | Lopez, Anthony marriage said to be at 'breaking point' Newsday, NY - BY ROBERT KAHN | robert.kahn@newsday.com Singers Jennifer Lopez and husband Marc Anthony arrive at the 79th Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, ... J-Lo's marriage 'on the rocks' Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony’s marriage in trouble? Jennifer Lopez marriage on the rocks? |
Gay couple fighting to save dream Santa Rosa Press Democrat, CA - By ALEXANDRA ZAVIS Fearing taunts and disapproval, they kept their love hidden for nearly two years. But with the Nov. 4 election looming, Christopher Lewis ... |
Gay marriage backers to protest Crist’s wedding Washington Blade, DC - FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — When Gov. Charlie Crist legally weds his longtime girlfriend Carole Rome today, St. Petersburg’s First United Methodist Church will ... |
69 Years and counting Pope County Tribute, MN - By Chad Koenen From one of the first times they met in high school, Richard Beveridge knew there was something special about a beautiful freshman girl in ... |
Marriage began in austerity but their love has stayed true Portsmouth News, UK - By Sion Donovan Fred and Barbara Holmes might have had a small wedding, but their love is as big as ever after 60 years of marriage. ... |
Proud to be from Massachusetts Bay Windows, MA - by Melody Howard Ritt More than 20 years of married life in a small town south of Boston did nothing to prepare my husband, Jay, and me for the reality of ... |
|
Shop Online for Champaign, Wines, Glasses, Chillers and all you need for your wedding |
||
|
|
The Greatest Love Story Ever Told
When people think about great love stories, more often than not they'll think about Romeo and Juliet. These, of course, were no more than two hormone-sizzling teenagers whose major fascination for each other was their parents' opposition.
Want To Know More About Wedding Planners?
Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel and Bookpleasures is pleased to have as a guest Judy Allen. Judy is the author of Your Stress Free Wedding Planner (Sourcebooks, Inc.
Marriage Counseling: How to Get the Most Value for Your Time and Money
Marriage counseling is an investment of money, time, and energy that can give you and your spouse valuable lifelong benefits.If the two of you are going to make a serious commitment to staying in counseling until you've worked through the problem areas, you may be looking at going once a week for three to six months or longer.
The A To Z Guide For Your Wedding Day
AttendantsAttendants, include the best man, Bridesmaid, ushers, and groomsmen. Generally any people with some sort of responsibility on the big day.
Choosing the Perfect Wedding Ring
Traditionally, a wedding band was worn on the ring finger of the left hand because it was believed that the vein in that finger went straight to the heart. A wedding ring is a piece of jewelry which will be worn everyday of your life to signify your love and fidelity to your significant other.
Marriage A Menace
Apparently for a person to get married is like burning the candle at both ends. No one can say that what particularly is the meticulous age to get married but people in our society have set age limits for a person to get married and it has now become a common tendency that if a person crosses a certain limit he or she has to die in harness.
Low Budget Wedding Reception
The reception alone will bust your wedding budget if you're not careful. Of course, the most obvious way to save money on the reception is to keep it small.
Planning a Maui Wedding
Just as there are a variety of wedding packages available, Maui wedding planning is also packed with many possibilities. So many people come here to get married that the choices of wedding planners to take care of all the arrangements are as diverse as the choices of wedding.
A Unique Diamond Engagement Ring - In Platinum
Diamond engagement rings for many years typically came in the traditional form of a gold band with a solitaire diamond setting, but as wedding etiquette has evolved over the years to include the more idiosyncratic tastes of individual couples, so are there now many shapes and makes of diamond engagement ring available. An engagement ring is hopefully something that a bride will wear forever, and as such, it should encapsulate her personality, so that regardless of the shifting of fashions, it will remain something that she loves and treasures.
The High Cost of Resentment and Anger in Marriage
Many spouses carry heavy suitcases filled with a collection of anger and resentment from their marriage. Periodically, they unpack these suitcases and review every situation in which they feel they were treated unfairly.
Planning Your Wedding - How To Get Organized
You have purchased the latest bridal magazines from your local grocery store and there are pages and pages of photos of beautiful wedding gowns, rings and articles on weddings. Some give you a brief idea of what you need to do to plan your wedding, but you're still not sure how to begin the process.
Wedding Tips for Saving Your Sanity and Your Bank Account
Overwhelmed is a common feeling a bride-to-be experiences as she begins to delve into the $45 billion a year world of planning a wedding. However there are several ways to deal with the incessant head spinning that can ensue as you begin to contemplate who to invite, what to feed everyone, where to have it, and how in the world you can stay within your budget without requiring a stylish white straight jacket to wear with your Badgley Mischka gown.
Planning your Weddings Decoration Budget
When it comes to your decorating budget it really depends on where the ceremony and reception will be on what decorations need to be present as well as what if any; themes that you are choosing.For example, if you are planning an indoor dinner, you have to include centerpieces etc.
The Enigma of Daytime Bachelor Party Activities
As most of you know the evening festivities for a bachelor party are already pre-determined. They usually involve some combination of limos, nightclubs, and gentlemen's clubs.
Writing Wedding Vows - Ideas That Will Help You Express What You Truly Feel
More and more, couples are choosing to write their own wedding vows. Although many people believe that this is the best way to truly express their personal beliefs and feelings, often they are unsure about how to begin and what to include.
Flowers in Her Hair
Before George W Bush became a President, John Quincy Adams was the first son of a President to become a President himself. But while John Quincy Adams lost that first, for him and his family there are still other firsts.
8 Questions Brides Ask About Setting up a Wedding Registry
In theory, setting up a registry is simple. You decide on one or several stores, create a registry online or in person, select various items, and get the word out to your guests.
Fifteen Fabulous Favors
The possibilities are endless when it comes to creating (or choosing) wedding favors. Take a look at the list below for fifteen fabulous ideas.
Cheating Wives - Play with Your Lives!
Many wives cheat on their husbands. This could be due to the fact that the husband does not give much of his time to his wife.
Moissanite Bridal Rings -True Choice Of The Young Heart
What best way can a bride think of rising to the very special occasion in her life, if that occasion does not have the glitter of jewelry in it! Brides today need not despair and give up hope if diamonds are outside their reach. Welcome to the world of moissanite bridal rings! Wondering what the price of moissanite bridal rings could be? Smile.
