Definition of Bridezilla (a portmanteau of bride and Godzilla) is a generic term used to describe a difficult, unpleasant, perfectionist bride who leaves aggravated family, friends and bridal vendors in her wake. A bridezilla is obsessed with her wedding as her perfect day and will disregard the feelings of the family, bridesmaids and even her groom in her quest for the perfect wedding. (source: Wikipedia.)
Bridesmaids often feel the sting of Bridezilla's rage!
The clinical diagnosis of acquired situational narcissism may be appropriate for the condition.
The earliest use of the term was in 1995, and it has been made universally popular by the cable TV program Bridezillas.
Every time I do a Bridal Show, I am asked if I ever work with Bridezillas. And my answer is always an emphatic “NO.”
Why is this? I certainly know a lot of wedding vendors who tell Bridezilla stories. And more than a few whom I have worked with have had bad experiences with the same brides that gave me no problem at all.
So what gives?
Well, let me propose a different definition: Bridezilla is a bride who is overcome by stress because she is not getting what she really wants.
Put yourself in her painfully tight shoes. A bride is pulled in different directions by well-meaning and sometimes selfishly motivated family and friends. She is torn between the vision of her dream wedding, and the practical reality of budget limitations and parental control. She is confused by the overwhelming number of choices she must make.
In my entertainment business, we custom-tailor each event to meet that bride’s preferences. We never try to force a wedding to fit into a certain mold. This is a recent trend among wedding Emcees, but I have always done weddings this way. My latest brochure uses the phrase “Your Wedding…Your Way.”
Therein lies the secret, I believe, to Bridezilla Prevention. When the bride is getting her way, and receiving full attention and cooperation from her DJ (or planner, photographer, caterer, florist, or decorator, etc.) she is content and tantrum-free.
Don’t get me wrong, as I have worked with some mighty stubborn brides, several who were obsessive-compulsive, and one who was even bipolar manic-depressive. In a way, they are much easier to work with than one who has trouble making decisions. Give me a bride who is picky and knows just what she wants, and I will make her happy!
As for the TV show, I take issue with the whole idea of glamorizing bad behavior. Weddings should be FUN occasions…and mine always are.