Imagine with me for a moment, that two of your wedding guests are freshening up their lipstick and chatting in the ladies room during the reception. How would you choose for their conversation go?
Scenario A
"Oh my, the bride looks so stressed out she is like a zombie! Did you hear about the fit she threw about (insert super petty item here). I hope he knows what he is getting himself into."
Scenario B
"The bride looks gorgeous. This wedding is lovely and did you hear the toast the bride and groom gave to their parents? So, sweet."
I hope you choose B. Surely you would not choose to be remembered as a bridezilla on your wedding day.
But, we all still have our "bridezilla" moments. Weddings are super-emotionally charged events. Mommy's are losing sons, Daddy's are giving away their little girls, little girls are living their fairy tale and they are doing it all with a heavy price tag and all of their friends and family watching.
Here are a few tips about how to be a gracious bride on your wedding day:
1. You have probably heard it said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure, and in this case it is also true. Hungry, sleep-deprived, and stressed out brides do not make good choices. As the day gets closer, be sure you are getting plenty of sleep, eating healthy, exercising, and treating yourself to some super-stress buster activities.
2. Honor your parents. It is your day, and should be. However, there are other people invested in this day too, such as your parents and future-in-laws. Make sure they feel special and honor them for "raising you up." I once attended a wedding where the bride and groom gave each of their parents park benches personalized with small engraved plaques. The benches were in the garden during the reception and served as extra seating. It was incredibly sweet.
3. Speak to your guests and thank them for attending. (On that note, get the thank you's sent too) Remember, you are a hostess too. You set the tone for the entire event. If you are calm and enjoying yourself, your guests will too.
4. Thank your hostesses and bridesmaids appropriately. They are investing time and money to be celebrate with you. A small gift is appropriate and expected, and I personally believe personalized gifts are best.
5. Measure your expectations. Toss the word perfect out of your vocabulary. When you begin to feel the pressure of "perfect" is when gracious can quickly turn to grouchy. Make sure that what you are asking for is possible. Also, make sure it is something that can be controlled (rain on your wedding day.)
A gracious bride exudes poise and elegance. When you are gracious, your guests will find themselves sincerely rooting for your happiness.
Scenario A
"Oh my, the bride looks so stressed out she is like a zombie! Did you hear about the fit she threw about (insert super petty item here). I hope he knows what he is getting himself into."
Scenario B
"The bride looks gorgeous. This wedding is lovely and did you hear the toast the bride and groom gave to their parents? So, sweet."
I hope you choose B. Surely you would not choose to be remembered as a bridezilla on your wedding day.
But, we all still have our "bridezilla" moments. Weddings are super-emotionally charged events. Mommy's are losing sons, Daddy's are giving away their little girls, little girls are living their fairy tale and they are doing it all with a heavy price tag and all of their friends and family watching.
Here are a few tips about how to be a gracious bride on your wedding day:
1. You have probably heard it said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure, and in this case it is also true. Hungry, sleep-deprived, and stressed out brides do not make good choices. As the day gets closer, be sure you are getting plenty of sleep, eating healthy, exercising, and treating yourself to some super-stress buster activities.
2. Honor your parents. It is your day, and should be. However, there are other people invested in this day too, such as your parents and future-in-laws. Make sure they feel special and honor them for "raising you up." I once attended a wedding where the bride and groom gave each of their parents park benches personalized with small engraved plaques. The benches were in the garden during the reception and served as extra seating. It was incredibly sweet.
3. Speak to your guests and thank them for attending. (On that note, get the thank you's sent too) Remember, you are a hostess too. You set the tone for the entire event. If you are calm and enjoying yourself, your guests will too.
4. Thank your hostesses and bridesmaids appropriately. They are investing time and money to be celebrate with you. A small gift is appropriate and expected, and I personally believe personalized gifts are best.
5. Measure your expectations. Toss the word perfect out of your vocabulary. When you begin to feel the pressure of "perfect" is when gracious can quickly turn to grouchy. Make sure that what you are asking for is possible. Also, make sure it is something that can be controlled (rain on your wedding day.)
A gracious bride exudes poise and elegance. When you are gracious, your guests will find themselves sincerely rooting for your happiness.