This lesson is for those who have already had a wedding, are planning one, or just dreaming about it. We are gonna talk about wedding etiquette and share crazy 'bridezilla' stories
lesson plan, B1 – b2
bridezilla
warm up
Have a look at two brides. What is the difference?
Have you ever seen someone act stressed before a wedding? Why do people feel pressure before their wedding day?
What do you think the word bridezilla means?
Bridezilla – a bride or bride-to-be who is extremely demanding and difficult to deal with
💒💍👰🤵♀️
Here are some wedding etiquette rules
Do you agree with these rules or should they be changed?
Can you add more rules to the list?
Can you add more rules to the list?
✔ Arrive on Time
✔ Respect the Seating Plan, even if you are seated where you don't like
✔ Don’t Drink Too Much
✔ Give money as a gift
✔ Don't Wear White
✔ Don't Bring a Plus-One unless you have permission
✔ Don't Bring Kids
✔ Don't Post Photos Before the Newlyweds
✔ Don't Propose at Someone Else's Wedding
✔ Don't Leave Too Early
✔ Respect the Seating Plan, even if you are seated where you don't like
✔ Don’t Drink Too Much
✔ Give money as a gift
✔ Don't Wear White
✔ Don't Bring a Plus-One unless you have permission
✔ Don't Bring Kids
✔ Don't Post Photos Before the Newlyweds
✔ Don't Propose at Someone Else's Wedding
✔ Don't Leave Too Early
Let's read!
Have you ever heard of or experienced any crazy or funny situations at weddings?
Let's read a real story from reddit.com and discuss the questions
Okay, so I (28F) just got married to my amazing husband, Jake (30M). The planning was stressful, but everything turned out beautiful. Or at least it would have, if not for the drama with my brother's fiancée, Erica (26F).
A month before my wedding, Erica sent me a text stating to "give a heads up" that she wanted to wear a white gown on my wedding day. According to her, she considered it "a modern trend" and added that since she would not attract more attention than the bride herself, it did not matter.
I was shocked. I told her tactfully but firmly that going to someone else's wedding in white is a serious faux pas. Erica shrugged off the comment and said, "It's just a color. You are not even in pure white-you're wearing ivory!"
A week before the wedding, my mom sent me a photo of Erica's dress. It wasn't just white-it was floor-length, lacy, and absolutely bridal. I called Erica immediately and told her she needed to find something else to wear or she wouldn't be allowed in. She said I was being "insecure" and that it's 2024-women should be able to wear what they want.
Later, my brother called me, Chris (29M), begging to let it go. He said Erica thought she was "targeted" and that she was in an uproar. He said she has already spent a lot on the dress and that by now it's too late to get another one. In this case, I just stood firm and said, "If she shows up in that dress, she does not come in".
Erica came out on the wedding day, dressed in white. My stomach was sinking at this point, but I had already warned my wedding coordinator of the potential situation. The wedding coordinator caught Erica at the door and said that either she changes out of that or get gone.
Erica had a total huge fit in front of my guests screaming that she is a "bridezilla" and "jealous of her confidence." Chris stepped in, and that is how they both bailed. Now, my family is literally torn apart. My parents feel that Erica had overreached, but my brother Chris says I humiliated them in public. Erica has endured passive-aggressive comments everywhere on social media about the "insecure brides" and "toxic wedding culture." Sometimes I think I must have been an idiot for even thinking twice about this, and I should just have let her have the stupid dress.
A month before my wedding, Erica sent me a text stating to "give a heads up" that she wanted to wear a white gown on my wedding day. According to her, she considered it "a modern trend" and added that since she would not attract more attention than the bride herself, it did not matter.
I was shocked. I told her tactfully but firmly that going to someone else's wedding in white is a serious faux pas. Erica shrugged off the comment and said, "It's just a color. You are not even in pure white-you're wearing ivory!"
A week before the wedding, my mom sent me a photo of Erica's dress. It wasn't just white-it was floor-length, lacy, and absolutely bridal. I called Erica immediately and told her she needed to find something else to wear or she wouldn't be allowed in. She said I was being "insecure" and that it's 2024-women should be able to wear what they want.
Later, my brother called me, Chris (29M), begging to let it go. He said Erica thought she was "targeted" and that she was in an uproar. He said she has already spent a lot on the dress and that by now it's too late to get another one. In this case, I just stood firm and said, "If she shows up in that dress, she does not come in".
Erica came out on the wedding day, dressed in white. My stomach was sinking at this point, but I had already warned my wedding coordinator of the potential situation. The wedding coordinator caught Erica at the door and said that either she changes out of that or get gone.
Erica had a total huge fit in front of my guests screaming that she is a "bridezilla" and "jealous of her confidence." Chris stepped in, and that is how they both bailed. Now, my family is literally torn apart. My parents feel that Erica had overreached, but my brother Chris says I humiliated them in public. Erica has endured passive-aggressive comments everywhere on social media about the "insecure brides" and "toxic wedding culture." Sometimes I think I must have been an idiot for even thinking twice about this, and I should just have let her have the stupid dress.
Am I The Asshole for Not Letting My Brother's Fiancee to Wear White to My Wedding?
Vocabulary time!
What is the difference between "Fiancee" and "Bride"?
Find a synonym for "Unconfident" in paragraph 4:
Find a synonym for "Unconfident" in paragraph 4:
A week before the wedding, my mom sent me a photo of Erica's dress. It wasn't just white-it was floor-length, lacy, and absolutely bridal. I called Erica immediately and told her she needed to find something else to wear or she wouldn't be allowed in. She said I was being "insecure" and that it's 2024-women should be able to wear what they want.
LOOK AT THE HIGHLIGHTED WORDS IN THE TEXT AND TRY TO GUESS THEIR MEANING
Then, match the words with their definitions
Find idioms in the text for each definition
- To warn someone about something before it happens.
- A mistake in manners or social behavior that makes people uncomfortable.
- To feel suddenly very sad, worried, or disappointed.
- To become very angry and upset, often yelling or complaining.
- To warn someone about something before it happens = give a heads up
- A mistake in manners or social behavior that makes people uncomfortable = faux pass
- To feel suddenly very sad, worried, or disappointed = stomack sinks
- To become very angry and upset, often yelling or complaining = have a huge fit
🤵👰♀️
Read the text about wedding grinds
Fill in the gaps
gown / shrug off / targeted / uproar / step in / bail / give a heads up / faux pass / have a huge fit / tear apart / humiliated
Weddings can be stressful, and many things can go wrong. A torn ________, a guest arriving late, or bad weather can cause panic. Sometimes, a major ________, like someone wearing white, creates an _______. The bride may try to ______ it ____, but it can still be upsetting.
Family drama is another issue. If a guest feels ________ or arguments start, tension can __________ the event. A jealous relative might even ___________, embarrassing the couple. To prevent this, someone should ________ and calm the situation.
Other problems include vendors canceling last minute or a speaker deciding to _____. It helps to have a backup plan. A trusted friend can ____________ if something goes wrong. Even if unexpected issues arise, it’s important not to feel __________. Staying calm and focusing on the celebration can save the day!
Family drama is another issue. If a guest feels ________ or arguments start, tension can __________ the event. A jealous relative might even ___________, embarrassing the couple. To prevent this, someone should ________ and calm the situation.
Other problems include vendors canceling last minute or a speaker deciding to _____. It helps to have a backup plan. A trusted friend can ____________ if something goes wrong. Even if unexpected issues arise, it’s important not to feel __________. Staying calm and focusing on the celebration can save the day!
Weddings can be stressful, and many things can go wrong. A torn gown, a guest arriving late, or bad weather can cause panic. Sometimes, a major faux pas, like someone wearing white, creates an uproar. The bride may try to shrug it off, but it can still be upsetting.
Family drama is another issue. If a guest feels targeted or arguments start, tension can tear apart the event. A jealous relative might even have a huge fit, embarrassing the couple. To prevent this, someone should step in and calm the situation.
Other problems include vendors canceling last minute or a speaker deciding to bail. It helps to have a backup plan. A trusted friend can give a heads up if something goes wrong. Even if unexpected issues arise, it’s important not to feel humiliated. Staying calm and focusing on the celebration can save the day!
Family drama is another issue. If a guest feels targeted or arguments start, tension can tear apart the event. A jealous relative might even have a huge fit, embarrassing the couple. To prevent this, someone should step in and calm the situation.
Other problems include vendors canceling last minute or a speaker deciding to bail. It helps to have a backup plan. A trusted friend can give a heads up if something goes wrong. Even if unexpected issues arise, it’s important not to feel humiliated. Staying calm and focusing on the celebration can save the day!
Let's continue our "Am I The Asshole"
(AITA) column
(AITA) column
listen to another story (3:40-5:26)
Discuss the questions and express your opinion
*Teacher’s notes
you may listen to the story and the comments from the hosts (3:40 - 12:50) or give the full version as homework
Is Eloping Underrated?..
Two Hot Takes Podcast || Reddit Readings
- The bride started the ceremony after waiting for her mother and others who were late. ( 3:45)
- The mother cited reasons such as being stopped by a train and blaming the bakery for not having the buns ready. (4:53)
- The relationship was strained, and there seemed to be a pattern of the mother being late. (6:14)
- The absence of her mother made the bride feel abandoned and added stress to her special day. (12:28)
- Better communication and mutual understanding of each other's schedules could have helped. (10:11)
Let's write!
Сhoose 1 story from the lesson (or create your own one)
Write a short paragraph about it (80-120 words). Use new words below.
You can also include the following information:
-- what's happened
-- how people felt
-- how it can be prevented
You can also include the following information:
-- what's happened
-- how people felt
-- how it can be prevented
*Teacher’s notes
you may give this task as homework
- gown
- shrug off
- targeted
- uproar
- step in
- bail
- tear apart
- humiliate
- give a head up
- faux pass
- stomack sinks
- have a huge fit
Based on all the stories and wedding rules you've learned, can you describe your own portrait of a bridezilla? Do you know any cases in point?
speaking time!
Weddings are beautiful, but things don’t always go as planned
Here are 8 problems that can arise before or during a wedding, give solutions to them
Possible solution: Have a backup plan, such as an indoor space or tents, and provide umbrellas or fans for guests.
Possible solution: Always have backup vendors on your contact list and a written contract with cancellation policies.
Possible solution: Have a clear schedule and transportation options. Assign someone to handle last-minute seating changes.
Possible solution: Speak with family members in advance about being respectful. If necessary, have a trusted friend or planner mediate conflicts.
Possible solution: Always do a sound check before the event and have a backup microphone or speaker system ready.
Possible solution: Ask bartenders to monitor alcohol service, and have someone (planner or family member) ready to handle the situation calmly.
Possible solution: Confirm all details with vendors a few days before the wedding and have a small backup cake or alternative food available.
Possible solution: Create a checklist for all essential items and assign someone responsible for checking everything before leaving.
Bartenders
People who serve drinks at an event or bar
Vendors
people or companies that provide services for a wedding
Backup plan
an alternative plan in case something goes wrong
Bridezilla or perfectionist?
Read each statement and share whether you agree or disagree
Give reasons for your opinion. Try to use the new words that you've learned in this lesson