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Bridezilla

4/23/2013

7 Comments

 
Yes, we've all heard it. Now part of the modern lexicon, Urban Dictionary defines bridezilla as:  "One ridiculous spoiled #%!*@ that thinks she is the center of the universe, just because her "show" (the wedding) is 18 months from now. Everyone else in the world has to drop everything and come running in this prima-donna's mind. The marriage will not last more than a couple of years, if the groom to be is lucky."  Ouch.
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I confess, I've never seen WE's reality show 'Bridezillas.'  But as a soon-to-be bride myself, I have some relevant first-hand experience. And I have to say, of all the aspects of wedding planning (financial, emotional, logistical, etc.), the most challenging element has been dealing with what other people think of me.

The concept of the "Bridezilla" is so common now that unless you're "totally cas" (see Urban Dictionary #3 on this one) about everything, you have the dreaded scent of a bridezilla. Font size isn't right on the invitation? Bridezilla. Didn't get the room you specifically reserved? Bridezilla. Caterer isn't following up when they said they would? Bridezilla.

I've found myself apologizing for caring about these issues, trying in some way to compensate for a new, culturally dominant narrative. "Yeah, I mean, I care, but I'm not like a bridezilla or anything!" (I know this will sound familiar to other brides.) But think about this:  invitations often cost several hundred dollars, plus postage. A room at a New England inn? Try $150 a night. And wedding food? $5000, easy.  
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CNN reports that in the US, the average cost of a wedding in 2012 was $28,400. Even if you have enough time do everything you possibly can yourself, a "budget wedding" is still easily $10,000. To be clear, I'm not debating how privileged we are to spend so much money on one day when so many people don't have enough to eat, and I'm certainly not a proponent of what's becoming the "wedding industrial complex." I bring it up simply because it is the way it is in our country at the moment.  

Imagine this: Let's say you decide to do a home renovation. Sure, you don't need to do it, but it'd be really nice. So you dig deep into your savings account but then your parents (and your in-laws) give you a bunch of money, too. Awesome, right? But now, of course, you've got to take their wishes into consideration...like that guest room with an en suite jacuzzi tub.

And guess what! You'll be the foreman on this job, even though you know nothing about construction and you'll probably never do anything like this again. So you hire a crew of professionals but they all have their own schedules and ideas so it's a bit like herding cats. Plus you and your partner are still working on the blueprints so you've got to negotiate all that at the same time.  

Don't forget, your friends and family will want to come over regularly to check out the progress! They'll be full of opinions, too...reminding you to consider so and so and pointing out such and such. You'll be navigating traditions and expectations galore. Oh, I forgot to say you'll be working full time as well. And did I mention you'll be kind of emotional because this project and all that's going into it feels like really big deal???

Okay, so I can see I'm getting close to a rant here. Let me come back to my main point which is:  BE NICE TO BRIDES. Before you cast the first bridezilla stone, put yourself in their (fancy, uncomfortable) shoes. Remember how significant getting married is. Imagine how much is on their plate right now. And when they tell you how hard planning a wedding is and how sometimes they wish they'd just eloped, try smiling and telling them you understand.

*On a personal note...I have wonderful, undemanding parents and soon-to-be in-laws, and our wedding will coast far below the national average!
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7 Comments
Amy F.
4/23/2013 06:50:33 am

Two thoughts:

1) I don't like this stereotyped concept we've come up with, of a "Bridezilla" one bit. Just another stereotype*. As more women step into powerful roles overseeing other people (like a foreman, precisely), this concept of Bridezilla stinks of cultural backlash. Yuck. I don't challenge that there are people in the world who are spoiled and egocentric. But where's the male, stereotyped version of this? Egocentric men in power are hailed in our culture. Just sayin.' Let's not buy this concept. At all. Stay in your power, Bride-to-be!

2) Intentions. I find it ironic that of all the places to fault a woman for exercising her power, this stereotype exists around a wedding. Because one CAN just elope. The whole idea of a wedding is that your desire is to include OTHERS in this sacred moment of life transitions!

This bridezilla concept just makes me angry. Do me a favor and share this with folks so I don't have to start my own blog.

*Stereotypes exist for the sole purpose of justifying the status-quo oppression of a group. They only exist in cultures where a dominant group is trampling over and oppressing others, and they are a necessary part of that institution maintaining itself. We tend to go along with them, because it's easier to say, "That person doesn't deserve respect, because they are just a such-and-such," than it is to recognize the degree of mistreatment and oppression behind it.

Reply
Rev. Hannah Grace link
4/23/2013 09:54:24 am

Amy,

Perfect, right-on response! I was speaking about my personal experience to this cultural narrative (I agree - yuck) but you got right to the narrative itself...which makes the whole thing that much more insidious and upsetting.

It does reek of sexism when men are hailed as (and expected to be) powerful or demanding and women are derided as Bridezillas. There's a lot more to this, to be sure...I think you should go ahead and start your own blog! ;-)

Reply
Eutopia Events link
4/24/2013 01:04:40 am

Ruthie at Eutopia Events says: "This is great Hannah! There are so many challenges the bride and groom face during their wedding planning process. Many opinions, contributions, must haves, etc. are brought into the mix. We've seen it all! I can see where couples, or brides, can become flustered and may react in a way people may deem as "bridezilla-like." I love in the article where it says "Be Nice to Brides!" There are obvious behaviors that can be classified as unnecessary but some brides behave in a way they typically wouldn't on a normal day due to the many stresses that exist during the planning process. Thanks for sharing!"

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Emotionally Engaged link
4/24/2013 01:05:52 am

Allison at Emotionally Engaged says: "Love it...and the message too: "Be nice to brides!" I agree. A WHOLE lot going on for them. Great post and thanks for sharing."

Reply
Luxe Event Planning link
4/24/2013 01:06:57 am

Lauren at Luxe Event Planning says: "Awesome post. Sharing away. I'm a recent bride too, I got married April of last year, so I am VERY familiar with the Bridezilla tag. It's used way to often and many times unfairly. Thanks!"

Reply
Courtney
4/28/2013 02:42:19 pm

Great post Hannah. The thought I had while reading this was to also be nice to the groom;) as I was a bride not to many years ago. I just happen to be marrying a very efficient and budget conscious man. My "groomzilla". He didn't mean any harm at the time:)

Reply
Rev. Hannah Grace link
4/29/2013 07:32:06 am

Good point, Courtney (Groomzilla...that's a new one). Being nice is absolutely equal opportunity!!

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