AisleDash

Let's face it: there are certain things that you do NOT want as part of your big day. There are also certain things that you MUST HAVE to make the day perfect. Does that make you a Bridezilla?

Sort of.

Wanting the perfect wedding is perfectly acceptable; making everyone around you crazy with your demands and attitudes is not. So how do you walk the line between detail-oriented and crazy?

1. Keep demands to a minimum. Make a list of Must Haves, those things that you have always dreamed of. Keep the list short, though -- no more than five things. If you find that your Must Have list has grown to more than that, it's time to reassess and reconsider what really matters. Do the same for Deal Breakers, and again, keep the list short.

2. Articulate your desires. As you make your Must Have list, be clear -- with your fiancé and your parents and your wedding planner and yourself -- about why these things matter. Can't explain why all the bridesmaids MUST wear the EXACT SAME LIPSTICK? Maybe they really don't need to after all.

3. Be polite. It is truly amazing what people will do when you ask nicely. Saying please and thank you and making clear that you understand that people are going out of their way makes it that much easier to have things your way. And sometimes, the only difference between a Bridezilla and a Perfect Bride is manners.

Finally, keep in mind that on your wedding day, your thoughts should be focused on the ceremony and what it stands for, not on the bridesmaids' tan lines or guests' hats. If you are unable to let the small details go, you will miss the big picture, and that would really make for a terrible wedding.