The Seven Deadly Sins for Brides to Be

By Maureen Thomson

Lust

You may be in love with the idea of being married, getting married, planning your wedding and being in love. You can't get enough of bridal magazines, wedding planning websites, cake tastings and wedding dress shopping. But remember that it's one day; your marriage is for a lifetime. Don't be so lustful for the limelight that you lose sight of the fact that your marriage is for a lifetime. Take time to focus on each other and your marriage.

Gluttony

Don't bite off more than you can chew. Ask for help. If you can't afford a wedding planner, then ask your mother, future mother-in-law, your bridesmaids and your girlfriends to help. They may not do everything exactly the way you would have, but you can lighten up and enjoy the end result with appreciation and gratitude.

Greed

Having to have it all is impractical, impossible and will turn you into a Bridezilla. Forcing your bridesmaids to buy expensive dresses, picking out the highest-end tux you can find and insisting upon the biggest rock that your fiancé can finance with his credit card will not win you accolades. Pick the top two or three things on which you want to splurge and be more frugal with the others. Also, in regards to greed, be understanding of how much your parents are willing or able to kick in for the wedding. Accept what they give you with grace and gratitude.

Sloth

Don't let everything go until the last minute, and then blame your vendors that they can't accommodate you. The best weddings and the most un-stressed brides come from careful planning. Try to get as much done as early in the wedding-planning process as you can.

Wrath

If things don't go as you want them, lighten up. Losing your cool will only reflect poorly on you. Do you want to look back on your wedding day as the joyful remembrance of the day you began your married life or with embarrassment over the hissy fit you threw because the cake was the wrong flavor or the flowers in your bouquet wilted? /

Envy/

Looking through bridal publications is fine, but remember that their job is to sell magazines and make money for their advertisers, so they are going to pull out all the stops. If you start envying every tiara, $10,000 wedding dress and floral centerpiece that you see, you're going to end up in excessive debt. The desiderata states, "if you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter." These are wise words to live by when planning your big day.

Pride

Pride goeth before the fall, so don't allow for any arrogance to creep in. Yes, this is your special day and you can even expect to be treated like a princess...to a point. Taking the royal act too far will label you a difficult bride and that's no fun for anyone. Be kind.