Confessions of a Wedding Planner: 5 Signs a Couple Will Crash and Burn
After witnessing 50 to 80 weddings per year (and being exposed to behaviors that a couple doesn't always reveal to others), a wedding planner has identified some signs that scream "Red flag!" Here, she spills the predictors of whether a couple will live happily ever after or bite the dust.
1. The Bride Refuses to Let the Groom Choose the Cake
"Brides are almost always more interested in the minutiae of wedding planning than grooms are. But when I encounter a woman who refuses to relinquish any control to her fiancé, it doesn't bode well. I can think of a few instances in which the woman ruled the event with an iron fist and the couple ended up in divorce court a few years later. Basically, they weren't able to make decisions together."
Want the flip side to each of these signs? Read the complete article on Cosmo's official website.
2. The Groom Lets His Mom Call the Shots
"Most of my brides involve their moms in the planning process, and why wouldn't they? It's like having a second planner for free. But sometimes, grooms' mothers try to muscle in too, which is something I'll never understand. Not only is it inappropriate, but it's up to her son to tell her that."
3. The Bride Blows Half the Budget on Her Dress
"Weddings are pricier than ever, and money-related issues can cause a lot of undue tension. So when a bride goes behind her groom's back and splurges on a big-name dress or expensive flower arrangements, I start to get nervous. It's a huge sign that she doesn't respect him and refuses to compromise...and trust me, those tendencies don't disappear after she walks down the aisle. I have worked with tons of couples who fought viciously over the wedding budget and learned later that many of them continued to argue and eventually split."
4. The Bride Freaks Over the Groom's Bachelor Party
"I've seen some women wig out about the possibility of her guy having a boys' night at a strip club. One client of mine even threatened to leave her fiancé if he had a bachelor party. But my motto is: If you can't trust him, why the hell are you walking down the aisle?!"
Wondering how wild typical prewedding bashes can get? Read Cosmo's Confessions of a Bachelor Party Stripper.
5. The Bride and Groom Fight in Front of Me
"No matter how in love two people may be, planning a ceremony and reception is overwhelming and will no doubt cause a few tiffs. But warning bells immediately start ringing for me if the couple gets really heated with each other in my presence. Arguments are private, and dragging me into them shows that there is a lack of respect for each other and for their bond."
More from Cosmopolitan.com:
Hints that your boyfriend is about to put a ring on it
How to have the best sex of your life on the best day of your life
Quiz: Are You Really Ready to Get Married?
Or are you actually in zero rush?
An expert reveals the tipping point...
When Everyone's Getting Married and You're Still Single
5 tips for dealing with this emotional rollercoaster
Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
