Reality-Checker

With her emotions swirling, the wedding taking on a life of its own, and so many people coming at her from so many different directions with questions, requests, and judgments about her wedding plans, the bride can easily get swallowed up by the whirlwind. She can lose her perspective about the bigger issues -- we're getting married! -- and lock onto all the smaller details, worries, and ever-building stress from tossing one full-time job (planning the wedding) on top of her other full-time jobs (her career, family, school, parenting, etc.). It can all be too much sometimes. That's where you step in as the voice of reason and the courier of a much-needed Reality Check.

It might take your sense of humor ("Hey, in a year you won't even remember the colorof the ribbons on the bouquets! Don't forget...you're marrying a great guy!") or a more pointed approach ("Helllooooo! What do you care what Sarah thinks? She's not getting married, you are!"). Brides that I've spoken to have said how much they appreciated it when their bridesmaids returned them to their senses and helped them get their priorities back in line. That's what friends are for.