Bridesmaids' top tips for a happy wedding party revealed

It's widely recognised as one of the most stressful events in a woman's life so it's no surprise that the run up to her wedding day can bring out the bridezilla.

But when it comes to making demands on your bridesmaids tread carefully: the prelude to the big day can bring out the worst in them, too. A post on the online community website Reddit asked bridesmaids what they appreciated most about their bride's wedding, resulting in a detailed list of dos and don'ts.

Brides who let their bridesmaids choose their own outfits were repeatedly commended, while those who forced their bridesmaids to wear unflattering dresses and made their boyfriends and partners sit on separate tables at the reception were repeatedly criticised.

Horror stories include bridesmaids whose jewellery made their skin go green and a bride who chose her wedding guests based on how much money they had to spend on gifts.

Here FEMAIL selects some of the most popular advice when it comes to brides and their bridesmaids.

DON'T choose the bridemaids dresses for them

Pictures: plus size wedding dresses

A user called Lil-boots1 said: 'The bride was trying so hard to have us all not spend too much, but that kind of became the problem.

'Her mother made our dresses, and while I appreciate the part where I didn't have to buy one, they were horrible and we were all looking pretty rough. I would have preferred just spending some money on something that looked better.

'We had to buy copper jewellery and we all turned green. So I was wearing an unflattering dress that made me look 15 pounds heavier than I was and I was turning green on my wrists and neck.

'I just wish she'd been more open to suggestions and had asked whether we'd prefer the free dress or to buy one that maybe fit a little better, because I would have paid for that in a heartbeat.'

DO keep the ceremony short and sweet

A former bridesmaid called voiledenuit wrote: 'My cousins are rather religious and their church weddings sometimes dragged into the three hour mark. I cannot stress enough as a guest how much weddings can be soooo boring.

'I know some cultures generally have long wedding ceremonies, but if it's not a requirement, make it short. Everyone will remember your wedding positively because it didn't drag on and everyone got to party sooner.'

DON'T be greedy

A woman with the username, befores, posted: 'She chose guests based on whom could contribute the most money in gifts.

'The ceremony and reception could have been beautiful but the bride's greed along with her incredible need to be in the spotlight made the wedding a little upsetting for everyone involved.'

DO seat your bridesmaids and their partners together

Alect0 advised future brides to pay attention to the seating plan. She said: 'Some of the weddings had bridal party tables just for the bridesmaids and groomsmen so partners not in the bridal party had to sit elsewhere.

'I was a bit annoyed at one of those times as I was told my fiance would be on the next table but instead he was on the other side of a large room and didn't know anyone on his table. I mean he got by but wasn't the most fun experience I think.

'Also another point, some people have long bridal tables with people sitting in a row facing the rest of the room rather than on a circular table [or the bench tables you are talking about]. That sucks for being a bridesmaid too as it looks really awkward for one thing, plus you can only talk to the people besides you. It's nice to face people when talking to them

DON'T micromanage

Smuffleupagus wrote: 'The one thing that annoyed me about my sister's wedding was that she was very particular about all of our nails and tried to make me get a square tipped French manicure, which I hate.

'I convinced her to let me get round tips, and in the end it made absolutely no difference to how happy her day was.

'So I'd say don't micromanage the small details that aren't even going to show up in photos.'

He was on the other side of a large room and didn't know anyone on his table DO say thank you

Sheeplikeme added: 'I was a bridesmaid three times last year and what made it the best was just when one of them pulled me aside and said thank you for being here. A sincere acknowledgement of what they've done is the best thing.

'Also I had gained weight because of medication and so my dress didn't fit at first (did after alterations thank God) but she never freaked out and never made me feel bad about it. Just be nice and considerate, I took that away from the wedding more than the nice gifts (and they were all nice).'

DON'T expect bridesmaids to pay for pre-wedding events

Another woman called centuries_ posted: 'My friend is in a wedding and the bride has forced each bridesmaid to buy specific outfits for the bridal shower, bachelorette party, as well as a $200+ dress.

'Plus they split the tab for a swanky hotel after a night out. Far, far too much money to ask someone to spend. Keep budgets in mind.'

Words of wisdom

But FierceMamaCat said: ;Weddings are awful to be in. I think that's why I spared my friends the torture and just eloped.'

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