She might be your fiancée, sister, best friend or daughter. You love her and want nothing but the best for her and her dream wedding. You were ecstatic when you found out she was engaged, but now, well let's just say when you see her number come up on your call display, a sense of dread washes over you.
Ok, it might not be that bad, but chances are at some point you will wonder where the loving sweet woman you knew went. Who took her and replaced her with this nit picking, psychopathic ball of nerves that can explode at the slightest mention of the words guest list? The girl who was so easy going can now have a complete melt down if you don't know the difference between robin's egg blue and sky blue. The girl who you looked forward to spending time with, but now the very sound of her voice talking about wedding flowers sounds like finger nails on a chalkboard. The girl you never thought would become a dreaded Bridezilla - but has. She's still there, I promise you. She's just preoccupied with the pressure that can bestow even the nicest and most level headed of girls. Some worse than others.
I like to say a bride is never a Bridezilla, but more so has Bridezilla moments. And while the bride in your life maybe hasn't had too many crazy moments resembling an exorcist movie, a few emotionally filled tearful episodes are bound to happen. So how do you help the bride in your life through these moments while still managing to keep your sanity at the same time?
Be there for her.
Just like you would with anything else going on in her life, just be there for her. If she needs to vent, be there to listen. If she needs someone to help her pick out centerpieces, go with her. Even if it's not something you're entirely that interested in, just being there with her will make her feel better. If a family member is causing drama, try to talk to them for her. Being a part of someone's life doesn't mean only being there for the fun stuff.
Don't enable her.
If the bride in your life tends to be a little dramatic, please don't enable her. Don't feed into the drama and make things worse just because it's easier. If you think she is being unreasonable, say so. Show her some perspective and remind her what the day is all about. More than anything a bride needs a good sounding board - not only someone who is there to listen, but also someone who will remind her that it's just a wedding, and that it's supposed to be fun. It's one thing to help her alleviate a problem, but it's another to keep agreeing with her when she is being unreasonable about something petty.
Help take her mind off of the wedding.
You know for yourself, sometimes you just need a friend that is willing to take the time to get your mind off of things. Take her out shopping, or to a movie. Go to the gym and hit a stress relieving spin class. Treat her to a spa day, or surprise her with her favorite treat. A wedding can tend to take over the mind of a bride, so plan something fun to get her mind off of any wedding stress she might be feeling.
Don't take abuse.
It's ok for someone to lose their shit once in a while - it happens to all of us, and that's normal. But if you have experienced the wrath of an extremely pissed off Bridezilla, you have the right to say ENOUGH! If this person isn't fun to be around anymore, just say so - preferably before the wedding day. You are doing no one a favor by trying to tip toe around her. Say it with love, but please just say it. If she is being darn right rude and unrealistic, tell her so. And if you see her do it to someone else, call her out on it. No one deserves to be yelled at or treated poorly, period.
Love her.
Try to be understanding. I know it can be difficult sometimes, but this is what marriage and relationships are all about. No one is perfect. Love her through her tears, her rants, the non-stop complaining about her future mother-in-law. Offer her a smile when she needs one, a hug when she doesn't know she needs one, and a stiff drink when you both need one. This is her once in a lifetime moment, and it can be a little stressful. Loving her through her worse will only make her love and appreciate you more. Remember, her good qualities are still there, it's just harder to see them when wedding bills and guest lists get in the way.