BrideZilla

How to Negotiate with Wedding Vendors (Bridezilla Style)

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:18:59 -0800

Most of us would spare no expense when it comes to the elusive perfect wedding. We want it all: the Vera Wang gown spun from flawless organza, a band that sounds just like Journey, a burgeoning Annie Leibovitz to snap a million pictures.... Some of us have been dreaming of this perfect wedding since we were twelve and Ken married Barbie in a ceremony surrounded by stuffed animals, Lego people, and a G.I. Joe. Then why are we afraid to negotiate for our dream wedding? Because we don't want the vendor to walk away; because as women, we are preened to be sugar and spice and scared to state what we really want? It doesn't matter why you've never negotiated. Learn with us as we navigate the unruly waters of wedding vendor negotiation.

Cool Wedding Theme Alert: Birch Tree Bonanza

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:36:58 -0800

Happy Halloween, dearest bridezillas. Lately, I've been so inspired by creative brides who think way outside the box that I decided to kick off a cool wedding themes series. It's late fall and our wedding theme of the day is (drum roll, please) the birch tree. Before you wonder if bridezilla has gone country, consider the facts: birch trees are gorgeous and slender, they make really dramatic centerpieces (even in the city), and they're super chic on invitations and even cakes. Don't believe me? Check out this slideshow.

Bridezillas Casting Call

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:52:54 -0800

Once in awhile, we receive your applications to the WeTV's show, "bridezillas." Although your descriptions of your bridezilla best friends and relatives are certainly amusing, we're not associated with the TV show and can in NO WAY help your ride to reality show stardom. You'd have a better chance if you tried your own balloon-boy hoax. We celebrate confident and stylish brides who will stop at nothing to have their perfect day. Although our definition of bridezillas obviously differs from the show, we know some of our readers would appreciate this heads up: WeTV is having a casting call. Follow the instructions on the flyer and apply, if you dare. But don't apply to us. We're a different kind of bridezilla!

5 Scariest Wedding Themes of All Time

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:10:50 -0800

Every October, we check out the best in Halloween-themed weddings: cute costumes, candy corn favors, adorable bride-and-groom skeleton cakes. But this year, we turned in the cute for bone chilling. Take a walk with bridezilla through our wedding haunted house. But you may not get out alive.....

1. Clown Wedding

It's the wedding of my nightmares. You can get away with wearing the red dress with the white veil. You can even get away with that circa 1999 arm cuff. But a clown nose?! A bridezilla understands the need for self expression, but does the term beautiful bride mean anything these days? Please, at least tell us you put a disclaimer in your wedding invite. If I attended this wedding, I'd want to know well beforehand that the bride and groom were dressed like circus clowns, so I could RSVP a big, fat, red "No Thank You." And perhaps even freakier, the couple's friends mud-wrestled to kick of the marriage, which also puts this wedding into the Top Signs You are Too Young to Get Married category.

2. Zombie 'Zilla

We get it. You are so unique and unbarred by tradition that you decided to dress up like a zombie on your wedding day. Bride-to-groom: Just think, we'll be that couple everyone talks about. Maybe we'll even make it on a reality show. Groom: I don't know, you think anyone will eat sirloin after watching us get hitched in full leprosy makeup? Bride: Good point, but the idea of a corpse bride is genius. What a way to get back at my penny-pinching father for not paying for our zombie themed reception. We'll show him. Groom: Do you think we should do the Thriller Dance at the Reception? Bride: Nah, it's overplayed.

51 Things You Should Know Before Getting Engaged: A Pre-Ring Must Read

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:03:04 -0800

It's that time of year again: engagement season. To prepare pre-bling bridezillas, who may have an inkling that there's a proposal in their future, I reviewed "51 Things You Should Know Before Getting Engaged." 51 Things You Should Know Before Getting Engaged This pre-marital manual looks like something you'd pick up in couple's counseling and bring home discretely in a paper bag. Written by a psychotherapist named Michael Batshaw (not Dr. Batshaw), it smells a little too self help for this bridezilla. But if it saves women from getting lured into a bad marriage by a 3-carat princess cut from Tiffany's, it's worth reviewing.

Monday Bridezilla Bites: Delicious Wedding News

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:26:18 -0800

It's been far too long since our last installment of Monday bites. But this wedding week has been huge with lots of wedding news that's too good not to share. The hottest tidbit on the wedding circuit has to be "The Office's" Jim and Pam's upcoming nuptials. Watch it this Thursday, October 8. Comment below with your predictions or take our Jim and Pam poll. Check out their super-cute "real" wedding website. My bridezilla heart has turned to mush! Sad news: the New York Times reported today that Conde Nast is to close the magazines Modern Bride, Elegant Bride, and several of its food publications, including Cookie and Gourmet. This is not ok. We could do without Elegant Bride, but Modern Bride? We don't cook, but having Gourmet magazine around makes us feel like a foodie. Bridezillas get the boot --- An upscale L.A. suburb charged homeowner Melahat Uzumcu with improperly renting out her lavish 6,900-square-foot home for wedding receptions after neighbors complained of noise and traffic in Palos Verdes Estates. It's a 6,900 square foot home. Did anyone check into the neighbors' motive? Jealousy perhaps? We love a good giveaway. Especially when it involves beautiful bridal jewelry. You could win a stunning necklace, bracelet and earring set from Looney Maiden bridal Jewelry. Just follow her on twitter @looneymaiden and retweet the contest.

The Debut of the Platinum Wedding Gown

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:22:02 -0800

We already showed you the world's most expensive wedding gowns. Some of them were a big bridezilla-sized disappointment, considering the cost. But this gown lives up to our platinum expectations!

Fabulous Dress Details from Bridezilla

Platinum Guild International USA (PGI-USA) announces the debut of the "Platinum Wedding Gown," an exclusive collaboration between leading wedding planner and host of WEtv's "My Fair Wedding," David Tutera, and renowned jewelry designer, Erica Courtney. This platinum wedding gown was revealed as the grand finale at David Tutera's highly anticipated runway fashion show introducing the new "David Tutera by Faviana" wedding dress collection on September 22, 2009, at Gotham Hall in New York City. With a platinum-colored tulle veil and bouquet to match, the "Platinum Wedding Gown" was a show-stopper and the pinnacle of his new collection. The dress is ornamented with 10 feet of platinum chain, 33 carats of diamonds, 145.84 carats of aquamarine, white keshi pearls and topped with a stunning white south sea pearl pendant suspended from platinum. "I wanted the final dress to be truly awe-inspiring to capture the inspiration and excitement every bride should feel," said Tutera, whose bridal gowns are inspired by the latest red carpet fashions. "To do this, I chose to add platinum jewelry to one of my favorite gowns in my collection." Jewelry designer to the stars, Erica Courtney, used her artistic eye and inspiration from her Drop Dead Gorgeous® platinum collection to create every woman's dream wedding gown. The sweetheart neckline and cascading white roses down the front of the dress are highlighted by stunning Erica Courtney® platinum jewelry. Photo by Chris Trayer "I didn't think anything could make this dress more beautiful; it's already absolute perfection. As I looked at the dress the first thing that came to mind was platinum, because not only is platinum the most appropriate metal for weddings, but the crushed diamond look of pure platinum is such a shock of incomparable beauty. Only platinum's second-to-none quality and natural whiteness could be the perfect complement to Gorgeous & Engage ™ jewelry I added to the gown. Call me traditional, but we added something fabulously blue to make every brides dream come true." "Platinum is simply the best," said Tutera. "It is enduring, timeless and classic, and it's fantastic for wedding jewelry. It's the most precious of all metals and lasts a lifetime, making it the perfect symbol for an everlasting marriage." Photo by Chris Trayer This one of a kind platinum wedding dress is valued at $501,640.00 and is available for purchase at Michael C. Fina at 545 Fifth Ave New York, NY. To book a private viewing of the platinum wedding gown or to inquire about purchasing, please contact Katie Kinsella at 212 620 0356 ext 202 or kkinsella@kinneyandkinsella.com. For more information click on David Tutera or Erica Courtney. About Platinum Guild International USA Platinum Guild International, the marketing arm for the worldwide Platinum jewelry industry, is dedicated to promoting Platinum and its pure, rare and eternal qualities to the consumer and the jewelry trade. PGI has offices in each of the world's major jewelry markets, providing information, assistance and education on all aspects of Platinum jewelry. For further information please visit Precious Platinum.

Swoon Alert: Kate Spade Bag Giveaway

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:07:59 -0800

It's bridezilla red. It's fashionable. It's Kate Spade. And it could be yours - for free! As fellow fashionistas, we just had to let you in on this red-hot Wishpot and Avelle giveaway. Tell them what you want to carry in your Avelle Designer Bag: A chihuahua... a severed head... a drawer-size stash of belongings that should be at your commitment-phobic boyfriend's place... and this bag could be yours! How to Enter Tell: get 1 entry for each response here, on Avelle FB Fan Page, or on Twitter RT #Avelle Show: get 2 entries when you post a pic of what you want to carry on Avelle FB Fan Page, or on Twitter Share: Get 3 entries when you sign up at Avelle, follow Avelle on Twitter or blog about this giveaway Comment on the Wishpot Blog with what you did. Giveaway lasts one week. They'll draw a winner on Monday Oct 5th. Good Luck! Juicy Details on the bag: Kate Spade 'Quinn' Knightsbridge Croco Tote The clean lines and elegant croc-embossed patent leather of this kate spade tote transition effortlessly from daytime to evening. Designed to fit snugly under your arm, it's finished with an open top, goldtone hardware, metal feet, three center compartments, signature lining and interior zip and cell pockets. Dimensions: 12"L x 3"W x 9"H. 7" handle drop. If you win the bag, please let us know!

It's Here! Bridezilla's Fall Wedding Gown Spectacular

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:54:38 -0800

It's finally fall. As temperatures plummet, sip a pumpkin spice latte and warm up with these hot bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses from JLM Couture.

Fall Gets Fluted

Swishy princess ballroom gowns are so 2008 and you're so 2000 and late. The fluted bridal gown is the boom-boom POW for fall. Who wears it best: Despite popular belief, this bridal gown isn't just for bridezillas with boyish figures. Its fluted bottom creates the illusion of a tiny waist and slender upper body -- so if you're shapely, don't pass up this look. Bridal Gown by Alvina Valenta.

Romance is in the Air

Romance is in the air this autumn. The Jim Hjelm fall bridal collection features a classic, vintage-inspired look that's thankfully not overdone in that "grandma's attic," way. A sweetheart neck, lace corset, and champagne moire ribbon (shown) make this bridal gown perfectly fit for a fall wedding. Who wears it best: The hues in this collection nicely complement fair complexions. If autumn days left you ashen, this ivory hue is for you.

Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Bridezilla

The ugly bridesmaid dress is a thing of the past. We're not sure why it took so long for it to fade into oblivion. A bridezilla's entourage has got to look good. The fall collection of bridesmaids dresses by Lazaro are absolutely gorgeous with shimmery satin, rich colors, and the most delightful little details. Who knew being a lowly bridesmaid could look so fabulous? Who wears it best: If your bridesmaids haven't succumbed to noshing on holiday goodies and still have their summer figures, choose a knee-length style. It's a hot fall trend and they'll be able to wear the dress again. But if your girls need full coverage, go with full-length. When in doubt, leave her out. We hope you enjoyed this autumn gown extravaganza. These gowns and more found at JLM Couture.

Most Expensive, Part 2: Costly Crowns and Tiaras

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:32:25 -0800

It's Friday and time for the second installment of our "Most Expensive" series. Aaahh, tiaras: The quintessential bridezilla accessory. Although birdcage veils surpassed tiaras as this year's wedding headpiece trend, tiaras are still beloved by brides everywhere. But look elsewhere if you can only afford costume crowns; there's nothing thrifty about these tiaras.

Doggy Bridezilla

Only a true bridezilla would spend millions on a maltese. This 15-year-old pooch is wearing a $4.2 million dollar tiara. It's made from titanium and adorned with more than 100 carat diamonds and 153 carats of emeralds. Until today, I didn't think it was possible to envy a dog. Source: Pricy Spicy.com

Queen Victoria's Emerald and Diamond Tiara

After gazing at this Emerald and Diamond masterpiece, I'm reconsidering my stance on tiaras. Bridezilla history brief: This tiara was one of Queen Victoria's favorite jewelry pieces. It was designed by her husband, Prince Consort, one of the world's first metrosexuals (I'm not going to get into signs your husband is metro, but designing tiaras is definitely one of them).

Italian Princess Tiara

In 2007, this tiara sold for more than $2 million - a record price. That's right - this beauty costs less than the dog tiara! It features an 8-carat pear-shaped center diamond and comes from the collection of an Italian Princess. We'll take it.

The Poltimore Wedding Tiara

The late Princess Margaret wore this crown at her wedding. It's a wonder she was able to hold her head up. Adding to its magnificence, it can be converted to a necklace or set of brooches. A Chinese collector bought it in 2006 for $1.7 million.

The Leviev Tiara

Lastly, the luxurious Leviev tiara. It's my personal favorite because of the pretty petal motif. And the six marquis-shaped diamonds, totaling 13.76 carats don't hurt either. The only trouble? Tiaras are meant to be accessories. Wear this and you'll detract from your wedding gown. Some information from Gem Dandy.

Dazzling Contest Details and a Bridezilla Poll

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:13:10 -0800

Diamonds are a bridezilla's best friend. But why buy when you can lease new jewelry for way less? Celebrities do it. And on our wedding days, we're celebrities. It's an aisle, not a red carpet, and we have to pay our paparazzi, but still...it's the only real day we get to be rock stars. BridalTweet.com, just launched their Red Carpet Contest. The prize? A rental pair of luxurious diamond earrings from Adorn Brides (prize value $150, retail value of the diamonds -- up to $4,100). So what if you only get to wear the diamonds once? They're gorgeous. To win a complimentary rental, join BridalTweet.com before October 30. It's simple. Don't forget to tell them bridezilla sent you. We want to know if any of our readers end up rockin' the rental rocks. What do you think of rented diamonds? Chime in on our poll. And speaking of tweets, you can now tweet with bridezilla @myBridezilla.

Why Ninjas Make the Best Bridesmaids

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:30:01 -0800

Sick of your lazy, complaining-about-their-dresses, too-good-to-lift-a-manicured-finger bridesmaids? Then hire ninjas! A martial arts expert tells bridezilla why ninjas make the best bridesmaids (as long as they don't turn on you).

Bridezilla's Guide to Black-Belt Bridesmaids

If you're currently struggling with your gaggle of bridesmaids, arguing over dress colors and styles, who's doing what, and why no one is answering your texts, I have the answer for you. Or, if you haven't even selected your bridesmaids and are dreading it because you know that the above is inevitable and are leaning towards simply hiring attendants or going sans bridal party, than this post is for you! The answer to both scenarios: Hire ninjas. No wait! Hear me out. First off, consider what a ninja is: silent, confidential, follows directions, great anticipator, slim, looks great in black and asks no questions. If you already have a group of unruly bridesmaids, add one ninja with orders to take out the lead instigator. Then the ninja will simply lead by example. When no one can figure out what has happened to "Suzie," assuredly the rest will fall in line. If not, you're going to need to give the ninja another directive and see what your 2nd cousin is doing the 3rd Saturday in July. Or hire another ninja. You may end up with an entirely hired bridal party, but think of the headaches and time saved! The stress relieved and saving even more by not having to hire security! You give the order for everyone to wear tea-length gowns in neon pink with ruffles? Done. You give the order for 200 silk organza bags to be stuffed with 10 jordan almonds and tied with a pink bow? Done. Need to lighten the budget by not paying the caterer's cake cutting fee? No problem. Yes, there are a couple of holes in this plan. Ninjas are typically male and we're not in feudal Japan. Technically there aren't any ninjas in modern Japan either, but since they're ninjas and into secrecy and covert operations, how would we know? But I have a workaround. The modern day solution: Hire your bridesmaids from local martial arts schools. You'll be able to find ladies, ladies who know how to take orders, follow directions and for any question or request from a higher ranking person (in this case the bride) it will be answered with a resounding "HAI!" They are also disciplined, loyal, physically fit and able to act as security and remove unruly/drunken guests discreetly. And... they won't need Spanx. But you can't just grab any woman out of any martial art! Just like you would interview a job applicant, you should screen your potential bridesmaids. What to look for:

A blackbelt of first degree or more- No newbies. Get yourself a seasoned veteran.
Nail polish on the toes- Since most martial arts are barefoot, this should be pretty easy to spot. A female martial arts practitioner with colorful toe nails is girly girl at heart and would be amenable to hair, makeup and manicures on the big day.
Ability to blend in- Does she have a different colored uniform than the rest? Attached Hello Kitty stickers to her belt? Stay away. Bridesmaids are supposed to blend with each other and provide a backdrop for the bride to stand out in.
Weapon of choice- Whether she chooses bare hands like karate or judo or goes with swords like kendo, be diverse. You'll have a laundry list of duties to be fulfilled and having someone who's good with their hands, good at tossing and grabbing and good with cutlery is always a plus.
Go to a legitimate martial arts dojo- No Nerf, Styrofoam or home constructed items allowed. If they practice in a public park on a grassy knoll, walk away. Far away.
Check their practice schedule- You'll have to set your dates around their practices, so make sure that all the ladies are on a similar schedule. Then set up your meetings at the same time of day on a different day and you'll maximize their abilities both mentally and physically.

OK, you should be pretty convinced now. What happens next? Once you find yourself with acceptable candidates, offer them a small base fee and food. Martial arts ladies eat. They burn a lot of calories with all that kicking and hitting, so as long as they're fed, they'll keep on kicking and hitting right on through stuffing invitations, creating centerpieces and watching you try on 200 dresses. Soon you'll have your very own small dojo with dedicated students to your wedding and a team you can be proud of! And you thought I wouldn't be able to convince you that ninjas would make good bridesmaids.

Bridezilla Swoon Alert: Swarovski Fall Collection

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:19:06 -0800

Like old ladies, we're suckers for Swarovski. Not those creepy, crystal-eyed cat figurines. The jewelry, darling. Bridezilla recently previewed their fall catalog on Swarovski.com and it's spectacular. You'll swoon for the Nature Reloaded, the new fall collection. Three words to sum it up: flowers, fairies, and graffiti. But the limited-edition Evanescent Fall 2009 collection holds the key to this stone bridezilla heart. Why? Glittery skeleton keys make me think of snow-covered Victorian mansions. The vintage-inspired key is the piece to wear with fabulous fall fashion: knee-high boots, a gray sweater dress, and smoky eyeliner...gorgeous. The only problem? Like beautiful autumn leaves, the Evanescent collection can't last forever. Which of course, only makes me want a necklace more. According to our fashion crystal ball, It will be available in Swarovski boutiques nationwide and online beginning September 14th. Groomzillas take note: These limited-edition necklaces make the perfect gift for your new bride. She's guaranteed to swoon!

Announcing New Wedding Toast Widget

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:10:28 -0800

Not everyone dabbles in wordsmithery like bridezilla. So when we found this Wedding Toast Widget we had to tell our bridezilla readers. Now your Maid of Honor will have no excuse for her poor choice of words. Send her this widget and prevent a drunken revenge speech (the best way for a belligerent bridesmaid to get back at a bridezilla). This toast widget gives you the best quotations to use in your upcoming wedding speeches. To install the Toast Quote widget on your site, just copy and paste the HTML below the widget into the source code of your webpage. Voila! Now you'll know exactly what to say in every wedding speech.

World's Most Expensive, Part 1: Wedding Gowns

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:21:41 -0800

It's Friday. Instead of working (totally beneath bridezilla), we're wedding day dreaming. What would you do if money was no object? Every Friday, we'll feature the world's most expensive wedding items. From million-dollar bouquets to tiaras and trains, you don't want to miss this spendy bridezilla series.

Peacock Dress

We love peacock feathers. In small doses! This wedding dress unveiled at a China wedding expo is made of 2009 peacock feathers. It's valued at 1.5 million dollars. Bridezilla's personal opinion? It's a bit overkill. Peacock feathers should be reserved for bouquets. No bridezilla should show up to her wedding clad in a costumy bird suit. This is a 1.5 million-dollar mistake.

Diamond Dress

No doubt you'll dazzle them on your wedding day, but do you need a $12 million dollars to do it? This 150-carat wedding dress was revealed at the Luxury Brands Lifestyle Bridal show in February of 2006. It looks like a frosted disco ball. Thanks to bridezilla's new favorite Friday reading, the Diamond Blog for bringing this to our attention.

Bridezilla's Pick: The Platinum

Bridezilla loves everything platinum and this 240,000 dress (in pounds) is no exception. It's spun from silk and platinum thread and was unveiled at the 2008 London Monday as part of the Hatton Garden Jewelry Week. The only trouble is, we couldn't wear this gorgeous gown just once. We'd have to bust it out at every special occasion: Thanksgiving... Christmas... maybe even to the office. Read more at the Daily Mail.