NICOLA Peltz fell out with advisers in the run-up to her nuptials with Brooklyn Beckham.

Here, The Secret Wedding Planner gives Alex Lloyd tips on how to keep your helpers on side — and not turn into a Bridezilla.

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We asked a wedding planner for top tips on how not to be a BridezillaCredit: Shutterstock

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Nicola Peltz fell out with advisers in the run-up to her nuptials with Brooklyn BeckhamCredit: Splash
GETTING married can be one of the most stressful and expensive days of your life.

That’s why professional wedding planners like me can be your best friend, helping you to navigate budgeting, family feuds and even table-planning.

I’ve seen it all — including couples who should have paid me danger money to take on their big day.

When I heard Nicola Peltz Beckham and her billionaire dad were suing the second of her three wedding planners — and I read the testy text exchanges — I understood why the company charged them a $159,000 deposit.

Wedding planners have the power to make or break your bridal dreams, so here are my top tips on how not to become the bride from hell .

AVOID PINTEREST

Yes, Pinterest is great for illustrating your vision but it leads to unrealistic expectations.

I’ve lost count of the times couples hit up Pinterest and set their heart on amazing, showy weddings but without the cash to make it work.

I call it a beer budget with champagne tastes.

One bride told me her dream was a castle wedding and she had a guest list of 200.

But her fairly average budget would not even cover the venue.

Be realistic or extend the engagement by a year and keep saving.

DON’T PICK PEONIES

The romance of peonies is so beloved of brides.

But sadly they do only flower for about two weeks of the year, usually in May.

So unless you are getting wed in that tiny window, let your florist guide you on what flowers are in season.

One bride wanted sunflowers but the florist couldn’t get them on the day and found some beautiful alternatives.

Instead of seeing that everything else was gorgeous, the bride was fuming and got so fixated on that tiny detail it ruined the rest of her day.

Every time I spoke to her she commented on the lack of sunflowers, while the groom stayed silent.

The guests didn’t notice — they don’t care about your chair sashes or if the favours don’t arrive.

They only remember the food, entertainment and that you looked nice.

There’s no point sweating the small stuff.

That’s why I like working with second-time brides.

They know what is important — their love and having a great party.

DON’T BE A DRESS SNOB

I know how tempting it is when you have your heart set on a £3,000 designer dress and find an identical counterfeit online for £70.

And let me say from experience, it is crap every single time.

But when I tell my brides to go for second-hand instead of ordering from China, they say: “Someone has worn it already.”

Well, they have — but only once.

It’s new to you and it helps the environment and your budget.

Don’t be a snob about wearing brand new.

The guests will never know.

KEEP ROAST DINNERS OFF MENU

Caterers can work wonders but taking allergies and restricted diets into account is a headache, especially when couples don’t check when they send out the invites.

Yes, everyone loves a roast dinner but this isn’t going to work if your mum can’t eat dairy, your groom’s cousin is coeliac and a bridesmaid is vegan.

Yes, everyone loves a roast dinner but this isn’t going to work if your mum can’t eat dairy, your groom’s cousin is coeliac and a bridesmaid is vegan.

Let the chefs guide you on what will keep everyone happy.

Or copy one of my pairs of newlyweds and have your favourite fillet of beef, but serve all of your guests chicken.

Luckily no one seemed to mind — they were just happy to get fed.

But don’t be the couple who got the timetable printed before checking with me first.

They only left an hour to serve a three-course meal — and you can barely manage a buffet for 100 people in that timeframe.

The whole day was chaos and they were still eating when the evening guests arrived.

WARN US ABOUT ANY LOOSE-CANNON RELATIVES

Extended family can often prove a headache, especially if they are financially invested.

This is where a planner comes in.

I’m not emotionally attached and can tell these people if something is the couple’s choice, not theirs.

My job is to be on the bride’s side and create her vision, no matter what relatives think.

I did have a father of the bride override me once when we had to move a ceremony indoors after a morning of thunder.

The bride agreed to our Plan B but her dad started moving the chairs outside while the registrar was poised to start. I told him: “This is your daughter’s day.”

But I had to let it go.

The bride was waiting to walk down the aisle and I didn’t want her to hear a row.

Luckily, the rain held off until after the vows.

DON’T HAVE A FREE BAR

Alcohol greases the wheels of a party but limit the free drinks if you want guests to behave.

I recommend a welcome drink, a bit of wine on the table and a toasting drink.

After that, let them buy their own.

When you put never-ending money behind the bar, it gets messy. I’ve had to have guests removed.

Worse still, I’ve had to cut a bride off at the bar because she was so drunk she kept spilling stuff down her dress — then she fell over and was sick.

Be honest about your own drinking habits and those of your guests.

VET THE SPEECHES

There is nothing worse than seeing a bride get upset when the Best Man goes too far and starts telling everyone about the girls the groom has slept with before her.

I tell couples that diplomatic language is a must and speechmakers have to think about the guest list.

Naturally some Best Men like to go rogue and tell me: “You’re not the boss.”

Then their crude lines are met with blank faces and titters.

DON’T SPEAK TO THE STAFF

I don’t mind if you are terrified and nervous, just don’t be rude to the staff.

Some couples treat them like skivvies yet they have the power to ruin your day.

You need to be nice.

There’s nothing worse than when suppliers ask me: “Were they rude to you too?”

If you need anything, speak to your wedding planner and no one else. That’s what they are there for.

And if suppliers do mess up, I’ll sort them out — like the venue decorator who was two-and-a-half hours late.

He was still dressing the marquee while dinner was being served, hidden by a screen I’d swiftly put up to spare the couple’s blushes.