Attack of the Bridezillas! | UKbride

“I’m proud to be the UK’s worst Bridezilla.” Says Chantel Koorts, the 24 year old sales manager who married fiancée Quentin at a ceremony in Cape Town this month. “You have to be ruthless, business-like and never take ‘no’ for an answer [when planning a wedding]. I’m a perfectionist, so everyone and everything had to measure up.”

That’s a point of view that every bride can identity with, but plans for the £30,000 ceremony included some pretty strong demands for her attendants. Chantel threatened to drop her bridesmaids from her day unless they shifted a few pounds; “I made them go on a starch-free diet and sent them a spreadsheet of foods they could eat, with calorie listings. I stuck to the same diet. It only seemed fair that I should do it too, if I was forcing them to.” She says. “There was no way I was going to have a chubby bridesmaid ruin my photographs.”

Bridesmaids were also required to submit regular photographic evidence via email so Chantel could monitor their figures throughout their wedding planning.

In addition, the bride bought three wedding dresses to select the one she finally decided on, ordered the groomsmen onto a beer-free diet to prevent beer bellies and insisted on a joint stag and hen night so she could keep an eye on her husband. Chantel even re-wrote the groom’s speech (“It simply wasn't romantic or gushing enough. So I made it all about me…”)!

Guests didn’t escape either; the bride hired a professional hair and makeup artist for her attendees to prevent them from ruining the photographs… but the final result was a wedding that lived up to Chantel’s expectations, and the brides was delighted with the results.

“In every bride-to-be, there is a Bridezilla waiting to come out. If you embrace it, you are guaranteed to have the most wonderful, well-planned day of your dreams.” She says.

Have you experienced any bridezilla moments? Do you think a bride-to-be should be able to throw her weight around to achieve the day of her dreams? Tell us what you think on our Forum now!

Bridezillas… and other cautionary tales!

Chantel enjoyed the day of her dreams… but beware, if you let your wedding planning run away with you, you could end up ruining your big day. Here are wedding expert Jenni Scott’s cautionary top ten runaway brides!

1. Bridezilla – You want to enjoy your wedding… everyone else wants to enjoy your wedding! Sometimes, perfection has to take a back seat… remember; to err is human, to forgive is divine!

2. The OTT Bride – Unless you want to look like you are a princess straight from a Disney movie then don’t go too over the top with all the trimmings.

3. The Toppling Bride – Make sure your shoes are comfortable and you will last the day in them. If you can’t walk with grace and poise down the aisle you won’t look good. Take care getting in and out of the car in particular, the photographer will be with you all day so don’t give him or her any opportunities to make you blush; save that for the speeches!

4. The Tipsy Bride – Don’t drink too much too soon. You’ll want to celebrate, but trying to do the first dance drunk is not easy!

5. The Toilet Troubled Bride – If you have a big dress, be prepared to accept help when going to powder your nose! Trying to use the toilet when you can hardly fit in the cubicle is going to take some planning!

6. The Tense Bride – Although you will be a bag of nerves, do all you can to relax and enjoy it… what will be, will be… on the day of your wedding, it’s too late to make changes and no matter what happens, you must enjoy every second.

7. The Teary Bride – We all love a weep now and then, so as you’re likely to cry, be prepared. Mega-waterproof mascara is a must have - and pack some tissues where they can be easily reached.

8. The Hung-over Bride – needs no explanation.

9. The Sleep Deprived Bride – You’ll need to stop worrying and get the best night’s sleep ever.

10. The Dehydrated & Hungry Bride – Make sure you eat and drink well before your wedding. It may be a while before you get the opportunity to eat and drink again so stay hydrated and keep your sugar levels up.

Jenni Scott is a wedding expert who runs Bespoken For, stockists of bespoke bridal jewellery and accessories.