Customer Reviews

Bridezilla: True Tales from Etiquette Hell

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

...and irritating at worst. I read the reviews here, interlibrary loaned it right away, and sat down expecting a hilarious, jaw-dropping bunch of howlers. Instead I feel like I've spent the afternoon with someone's snooty great-aunts. There are a few stories in here that live up to the hype, but the "Bridezilla" phenomenon (described by the author as what happens to otherwise normal women who suddenly find themselves the center of the party) doesn't seem to be what's going on here. It's no fun to read about people who seem to have etiquette/behavior issues on every other day of their lives (including a few physically abusive grooms, which I don't think is necessarily caused by being a groom), and especially when at least half the people contributing to this book appear to think that the only "proper" behavior for a bride is that of a blushing concubine with bound feet. Admonitions that a "gracious" bride "thinks of others before she thinks of herself" (yes, really) are straight from 1950. Oh, and bacherlorette parties are the height of bad taste (agreed) because the bride will one day be somebody's mommy (HUH?!?!?!) This book has madonna/whore complex written all over it, and the horror stories aren't particularly horrifying: (paraphrase) "I carefully selected and purchased a thoughtful gift, and did not receive a prompt thank-you note." Sounds like Ann Landers's worst nightmare, but no one else's.

I think my favorite is the guest who bought and sent the couple (the presumed "Bridezilla and Groommonster") a book, found it months later in a used bookstore, and bought and sent it to them again. Makes you wonder who's got the real issues. The message: show any creativity, spark or gumption at all, step away from rigid 19th-century convention just once, and you are a Bridezilla. See you in Etiquette Hell.

I won't even mention the historical and grammatical violations this book commits. But the authors condemn the bride who wanted her wedding party to go into the neighbor's yard and steal flowers for the cermony for "not caring about the style and quality of the flowers," and, oh by the way, for "putting her guests' reputation on the line." Would it have been better if she'd swiped 'em herself?!?!? The chapter on bridesmaids and shower hosts who deliberately sabotage the bridal shower and/or ignore the wishes of the bride is particularly sickening.

We've probably all heard wedding horror stories, maybe even lived through one ourselves. You haven't heard anything like these true stories of real Bridezillas. It'll boggle your mind that brides and even some grooms could become such monsters (or dare I say, idiots) all in the name of "having their special day."

I thought I'd read it all until I got to Chapter 6: Extreme Bridezillas. Really funny, outrageous, horrendous stories throughout the book.

Now I'll have to go buy a second copy to give to my daughter. If you're a mother, like I am, you'll want to get your son or daughter their own copy of Bridezilla long before they contemplate marriage. That way, with luck and the guidance of Miss Jeanne and Auntie Noe, they can avoid losing friends and becoming fodder for the sequel. Helen Ginger, Women's Marketing, Legends In Our Own Minds®

This book is a great and fun read. It will have you laughing hysterically at the crazy antics of bridezillas across the country.

If you know anyone who might have bridezilla potential, this book is a must!! Save all those potential bridemaids from a white wedding dress reign of terror.

...

The true tales of ranting brides, shower gluttony, and reception debauchery are like a train wreck...you don't want to look but you can't help yourself!

Anyone who's ever been a bridesmaid has been subjected to the temporary insanity of a close friend's wedding preparations. However, the examples in this book demonstrate the extremes of bad behavior that result when ego and insensitivity are allowed to run amuck because "It's my special day!" After reading this book, you'll consider yourself lucky if you escaped with a fuschia bridesmaid dress and accessories dyed to match, of course, as your only scars from the blessed event.

This book offers more than shock value. The authors gently and humorously correct wayward Bridezillas who desire to reform their behavior and mend fences. They also offer concrete suggestions for friends and relatives to cope with their very own Bridezilla or Groomonster without sinking to the depths of Etiquette Hell themselves. With a tongue-in-cheek tone Auntie Noe and Miss Jeanne show the reader how to maintain perspective on what's really important on one's wedding day: a commitment to marriage and respect for one's betrothed and guests. We are reminded that a gracious bride is a beautiful bride, and a successful wedding is one where "everyone leaves the event wishing they didn't have to go."

This is a must read for anyone planning a wedding who wants to
avoid boorish behavior or anyone currently suffering at the hands of Bridezilla. If you have no weddings in your immediate future, it's a wicked escape to curl up with a hot cup of tea and marvel over the real-life horror stories from Etiquette Hell!

I read this book because I too, was the unfortunate maid of honor in a wedding which was for the biggest Bridezilla of them all... Greedy stories about greedy brides to be and their greedy, manipulative mothers and bad behaving Grooms.
Please read this if you are planning your own wedding.
The authors have really thought provoking tid bits which may save you from becoming a Bridezilla yourself!

Every prospective bride (and groom and bride?s mother) needs to read this book before undertaking the extensive (and expensive) project of a planning a wedding. Not only does it give practical wedding etiquette advice, but your mouth will drop open in astonished reader surprise: they did what??
From horrors such as demanding that each shower guest provide a bottle of champagne for the wedding, to retracting already-issued invitations by voice mail, this book crosses the barrier of rude vs. modern manners and accents the acceptable decorum dedicated by just being polite and dignified!
One thing that this book emphasizes is that a something that many modern weddings and the people who plan them have forgotten: a guest is a guest and must be treated as such. Another point that is made is that the modern bride, dubbed Bridezilla, is not made Queen Demanding just because she has a ring and a date! Some of the true tales in this book are really from, well, that other place, and we can all relate to them (perhaps having been involved in a wedding and having known a true Bridezilla). When reading this book, married people will question themselves as I did and hope that we were not this bad!
Told in a funny, up beat manner, you will laugh, almost cry, and definitely feel for these poor people caught in their Bridezilla?s idea of a perfect wedding! A definite, perfect wedding (or shower) gift for any one who knows a Bridezilla-to-be.

I not only bought this book, but also contributed a story to it. In a twisted way, I felt so much better seeing that I'm not the only one who has encountered a "Bridezilla". The authors not only share hilarious yet mind-boggling TRUE stories but also gentle ways to diffuse these situations. I plan to keep several in reserve, and as a preventative measure, present them as engagement gifts!

This is the coolest etiquette book I've ever seen! If you already know about ETIQUETTEHELL.COM, then you've got the basic idea of what this book is about - brides who went nuts trying to boss everybody around and didn't get away with it. But the kicker is in what the authors say about the stories. They hit it right on the head each time! And the "anti-toxins" at the end of the chapters is all anyone needs to know about surviving wedding planning. Brides won't act like they know it all and everybody else will know how to deal with a major bridezilla without encouraging the temper tantrum from hell if they follow these guidelines. This is the best thing I've ever seen that talks about ATTITUDE as well as how to handle the etiquette of various sticky situations. Every bride and groom should read this before getting too deep into wedding planning and friends of the couple should read this so they'll know in advance how to handle the Creature From Hell.

Good job!!

A collection of some of the best, or I suppose worst, stories from the fantastic Etiquette Hell website. It's as scary as any horror movie. You'll gasp as brides rip their best friends apart because they're "too fat to be a bridesmaid!" You'll groan as Momzillas shriek at innocent bystanders for ruining their baby's special day! And if you are one of the poor unfortunates who have behaved this way, there are etiquette guidelines at the end of each chapter that will help salvage your relationships.

This book is a very funny look at the seriously etiquette imparied.

This is a fun quick read and a nice break from all of those wedding planning books.

If you are planning a wedding or plan to be in a wedding this book will serve multiple purposes. It will give you a dose of "prevention" so you don't turn into a Bridezilla and hold down a bridesmaid until she agrees to paint her nails blood red. If you are a bridal attendant it will give you tips on how to deal with the ugly bridal monster some brides turn out to be.

Plus, it as an extra added bonus it can make almost any family look couth.