The bridezilla is a stereotype, but one that is founded in truth. C'mon, we all know at least one woman who turned into a bit of a lunatic while planning her wedding. In fact, if we are honest, some of us may even have become bridezillas ourselves! These are some of the warning signs that you are on the edge of becoming a pre-marital maniac.

You might be a bridezilla if: you constantly find yourself stomping your foot and declaring, "But it's MY day!". If you find yourself needing to resort to that phrase on a regular basis, the chances are that you are trying to use it as an excuse to get away with selfish or inconsiderate behavior. And it is not just really your day; at the very least, a wedding day should also be about the groom, as well. Even better, it should be an inclusive celebration that is about the union of two extended families.

You might be a bridezilla if: you make an endless string of demands upon your poor bridesmaids. A red flag is if one or more bridesmaid suddenly drops out of your wedding, perhaps citing a previously forgotten trip to Yemen on that same weekend. Seriously, though, although it is one of the duties of a bridesmaid to lend her support and assistance to the bride, it does not mean that she should be expected to put the rest of her life on hold until you are off on your honeymoon.

You might be a bridezilla if: you think the main purpose of having a wedding is to amass as many gifts as possible (this actually applies to a shocking number of brides). Yes, it is customary for wedding gifts to be so happy for you that they are moved to give you a little something. And yes, it is acceptable for an engaged couple to create a bridal registry to give guests some suggestions, if they want them. But no, you cannot demand that your guests only give you the presents that you have pre-approved (which is implied by including registry information in the wedding invitation), nor can you put a note on the invitation that requests "cash gifts only". Also unfair: telling anyone that they are required to give you a bridal shower, throw you a bachelorette party, or take you on an all-expenses-paid weekend trip to Vegas.

You might be a bridezilla if:you decide to cut wedding costs by neglecting to give your attendants bridesmaid gifts. Thank you gifts for each bridesmaid and groomsmen are not optional; they are demanded by good taste and graciousness. By the same token, if the wedding is running over budget, trim the excess in an area that will matter only to you (skip the designer shoes, the stretch limo), not the ones that will matter to your guests (in other words, no cash bar!).

If you have gone through the list and recognized yourself in any of the descriptions, fear not! There is always time to pull back from the brink of becoming a bridezilla. All it takes is a little empathy, some consideration for others, and most of all, the realization that while your wedding is a momentous day, it is only the first day in a long married life to come, hopefully a life that will be enriched by the company of friends and relatives who still like you after surviving your wedding!