Vault: Groomzilla: Can guys be obsessed with their wedding?

Summary

The Bert Show – Vault: Groomzilla: Can Guys Be Obsessed with Their Wedding?

Air Date: July 9, 2026
Hosts: The Bert Show team (Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy & Cast)
Episode Theme: Exploring the concept of “groomzillas” – men who become deeply involved and sometimes controlling in their own wedding planning – and whether this is a growing trend.

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Episode Overview

This episode dives into the idea of the "groomzilla" – a term the hosts and callers use to describe grooms who become intense or even controlling about their wedding planning, much like the “bridezilla” stereotype often attributed to brides. The Bert Show crew, led by calls and real-life stories, examine whether men can be just as wedding-obsessed as women, what motivates this behavior, and whether it’s possible (or healthy!) to find the right involvement balance.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Joanna’s Experience: Setting the Scene (01:33–02:18)

• Producer Joanna is in the early stages of her wedding planning.
• Joanna describes her fiancé Jason as involved “in the sense he offers ideas and suggestions, but he’s not making calls or setting appointments” (01:44–02:09).
• She shares Jason picked the location, date, and theme: “He chose the location and he chose the date. And the theme.” (02:10–02:15)
• The crew frames this as a “partnership” approach.

Defining “Bridezilla” vs. Introducing “Groomzilla” (02:20–03:27)

• Traditional “bridezilla” is described: “You can't talk to them the entire year...about anything other than their wedding.” (Co-host 3, 02:38–02:43)
• Common “bridezilla” behaviors include unrealistic requests to attendants, emotional outbursts, and a wedding-focused worldview.
• Host turns the discussion: “I have never heard up until yesterday about groomzillas.” (03:13–03:27)
• The segment pivots on celebrity gossip: Katy Perry reportedly called Russell Brand a groomzilla, saying he “wants to pick the colors, he wants to pick the china pattern, he wants to pick her dress out…everything.” (Host, 03:56–05:05)
  Notable Quote: “Her dress, everything. He wants his hands in everything.” (Host, 04:39–05:05)

Call-In Stories: Real-Life Groomzillas

1. Caller #1 – The Brother-in-Law Groomzilla (05:11–05:47)

• Caller shares her brother-in-law wanted to pick the bride’s hairstyle, seating, and every detail.
• The dynamic: “She’s just pretty much like, well, I don’t want to do it, so it’s fine.” (Caller 1, 05:37)
• Host raises differentiation: Control from tradition vs. pure control tendencies.

2. Caller #2 – The Super-Involved Fiance (06:32–08:35)

• “When he proposed...the next thing he says, okay, so now we’re gonna go and pick up the colors, and then…flowers.” (Caller 2, 06:37)
• The fiancé had gone through the wedding planning process before (with his sister) and wanted to be involved in every detail, even who the photographer called.
• Notable Quote: “He steals that from me…since I was five I wanted this wedding, and now he comes along and he steals that from me.” (Caller 2, 07:21–07:34)
• Hosts discuss: Is this controlling a red flag? Caller says it’s “the only time he’s like this.”
• Hosts debate if it’s “endearing” for grooms to be involved or if it’s unhealthy.
  Memorable Moment: “I didn’t show him my dress, but…he kind of [wanted input], I want you to be like a princess…Oh, no, it’s a nightmare.” (Caller 2, 07:50–08:10)

Host and Joanna: Preferences and Balance (08:36–09:14)

• Joanna says she values Jason’s involvement: “He does have a particular veil he wants me to wear, just because he always imagined me in this particular veil. …It’s like the little, little involvement.” (Joanna, 08:37–08:59)
• When asked if she’d rather a totally controlling or totally apathetic groom:
  “Show up in your uniform on time and don’t worry about how much it costs or what it looks like.” (Joanna, 09:08)

More Callers & Anecdotes: The Serious Groom (09:14–10:29)

• Vicky shares about a church friend whose groom took wedding seriousness to new heights – insisting on decorum at rehearsal, even as the bride and wedding party plan a goofy surprise.
• “He wanted everybody to be serious…[but] his wife and the rest of the wedding party…blacked out their teeth and did not wear shoes.” (Caller 1, 09:18–10:19)
• Hosts reflect: Sometimes opposites attract, and a controlling streak provides “what he needed in his life.” (Co-host 1, 10:19)

“You’re The Bride, Bro!” (10:39–11:10)

• “He is so bad that his mother calls him the bride. When they’re talking about the bride, they’re talking about him.” (Caller 1, 10:39–10:48)
• Groom changes the date, picks the number of groomsmen, and “made the bride go and find people to be in the wedding…because she didn’t have enough people to be in it to cover his portion.” (10:48–11:08)
  • Notable Quote: “Baby, go make friends.” (10:48–11:08)

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Notable Quotes

• “Her dress, everything. He wants his hands in everything.” – Host, 04:39
• “He steals that from me…since I was five I wanted this wedding, and now he comes along and he steals that from me.” – Caller 2, 07:21–07:34
• “Show up in your uniform on time and don’t worry about how much it costs or what it looks like.” – Joanna, 09:08
• “He is so bad that his mother calls him the bride.” – Caller, 10:46

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Joanna’s engagement and planning partner dynamic: 01:33–02:18
• Defining bridezilla, introducing groomzilla: 02:20–03:27
• Katy Perry/Russell Brand “groomzilla” anecdote: 03:27–05:05
• Caller #1: Brother-in-law groomzilla: 05:11–05:47
• Caller #2: Over-enthusiastic, controlling fiancé: 06:32–08:35
• Hosts’ debate: Involvement vs. control: 08:36–09:14
• Vicky’s “serious groom” and prank story: 09:14–10:29
• Mother calls son the “bride” anecdote: 10:39–11:08

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Episode Tone and Takeaways

The conversation is lighthearted, candid, and playful—full of classic Bert Show banter and genuine curiosity. The cast and callers openly share both frustrations and sweet surprises about highly involved grooms, considering the fine (and funny) line between participation and obsession. Ultimately, the consensus leans toward valuing healthy involvement, as long as it doesn’t cross into wedding “theft” or controlling territory.

Memorable Moment:
“There should be a show called Groomzilla. I think we just… Yeah, I think we just tapped into something here.” (Joanna & Host, 10:32–10:35)

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Summary by: The Bert Show Podcast Summarizer

Transcript

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[Host/Announcer]

This is the Bird Show.

[Host]

So producer Joanna here is in the middle of, well, in the beginning phases, really, of planning her wedding. Right?

[Joanna]

Definitely the beginning.

[Host]

How involved is Jason, your fiance, in your wedding plans?

[Joanna]

Well, he's not really, like I tell him, like, oh, I'm looking into this photographer or I'm looking into this reception place. And he listens. But he has been throwing out ideas for the wedding. So involved. Like, is he making phone calls and, like, planning, you know, appointments? No. But involved in, like, offering his, you know, ideas and suggestions? Yes.

[Host]

So you guys are doing it. It's a partnership.

[Co-host 1]

It is.

[Joanna]

He chose the location and he chose the date. The date.

[Co-host 1]

Okay.

[Joanna]

And the theme.

[Co-host 2]

And you're getting in May 2017, right?

[Joanna]

Yes.

[Co-host 2]

Okay. That's a good date.

[Host]

Jason, here's the reason why I'm asking. And I want to turn the tables on guys today because, you know, since the beginning of time, guys and other women have been making fun of women that become quote, unquote, bridezillas.

[Co-host 1]

Right?

[Host]

That they control everything. They're out of hand. Like, what's a classic definition of a bridezilla?

[Co-host 3]

Well, you can't talk to them the entire year that they're planning their wedding about anything other than their wedding.

[Host]

So serious.

[Co-host 3]

Like. Yeah. I mean, it's like the entire world has stopped except for wedding planning. Like, nothing else is going on. Nobody else has lives. Nothing else is moving forward in anyone else's life. It's just. Just a standstill. And that's all they can talk about

[Co-host 2]

and talk to them. And I think specifically, like, every six months, we get the phone call of the woman who is scheduled to be in a wedding, but she got the rule that she's, like, not allowed to cut her hair or all the attendant. Whoever's standing up for the bride has to lose 10 pounds or the bride

[Host]

is making ridiculous requests, and it's all about her. She's emotional, she snaps, and she becomes, quote, unquote, bridezilla. There have been TV series made of bridezillas, but I have never heard up until yesterday about groomzillas.

[Co-host 1]

Okay.

[Host]

And if you have one of these, you're getting married, but it's your fiance, the groom, that has become the groomzilla. Then give us a call right now. 404-741-Q100. Because Katy Perry says that Russell Brand is a groomzilla. Like, he has taken control of everything, and it's driving her crazy. She's trying to make plans, and he is taking control of everything. He wants it to be his event.

[Caller 1]

Wow.

[Host]

And he's sort of pushing her aside. And I think it's the first time I have ever heard of a groomzilla before.

[Co-host 3]

I'm sure it's happened before, though. Absolutely.

[Joanna]

I'm sure she's.

[Co-host 3]

You know how they say opposites attract? Like, so if the woman's, like, a real, like, creative spirit and just, like, go with the flow person, and maybe she's, like, dating and gonna marry somebody super ocd, then he would have to take control because he would think that, like, she would never get it done right. I'm sure it's happening.

[Co-host 1]

I mean, like, Tracy is pretty, you know, organized everything. And with her own wedding, she was. But I could See, Scott being the kind of guy her husb. Who is, you know, he has planned events so I could see him where he would like. No, this is how it's got to be. This is the show we're gonna put on, you know.

[Co-host 2]

Well, then Tracy gets lowered from a helicopter and they ride in on camera.

[Caller 2]

Exactly.

[Host]

Because guys do tend. There are some guys that do tend to have control tendencies for sure. So even if it's a wedding and they're not necessarily invested in the wedding, just the fact that they need to control it. I could certainly see that happening. But Katy Perry says about Russell Brand, like, he's just obnoxious. He wants to pick the colors, he wants to pick the china pattern, he wants to pick her dress out. It's centering around him. Her dress, everything. He wants his hands in everything.

[Co-host 4]

That's one thing he's gotta stay away from.

[Joanna]

You gotta let her choose the dress.

[Host]

Good morning. Q100.

[Caller 1]

Hey, how you doing?

[Host]

Okay. How are you?

[Caller 1]

Love you guys.

[Co-host 4]

Thank you.

[Caller 1]

Actually, it's my brother in law. Well, he is the hugest groomjo ever. Like, he's down to wanting to pick my sister's hairstyle for no wedding. Yes, I promise you. Like, he has the color, the hair, the. He wants the seating done a certain way. Yeah.

[Joanna]

What does she say about that?

[Caller 1]

I mean, she's just pretty much like, well, I don't want to do it, so it's fine.

[Host]

Does it come from a different place for a guy?

[Caller 1]

I'm pretty sure if she could, then she would plan it.

[Host]

But like, for me, for the bridezilla definition comes from like this. This long history of women thinking about this wedding day and how it has to be so perfect and they just been thinking about it so long. Whereas with a guy, it feels like the mentality is different. It's just a control thing.

[Co-host 1]

Well, I have talked to guys in the past though. Some guy friends who. And straight guy friends who already had in mind what they wanted their wedding to be like. So, I mean, I've had conversations with guys before which, you know, I never thought about at the time. But who. But it was. It's always. It's not like the traditional wedding. They wanted, you know, to have it at a certain place and have like this medieval theme. And we're gonna be like the king and qu. And you know how guys do all

[Co-host 2]

we eat with our hands off metal plates.

[Co-host 4]

Very manly.

[Host]

Hey, Diana, you're a part of the bird show. Hi.

[Caller 2]

Good morning, guys.

[Host]

Hey. You have a groomzilla?

[Caller 2]

Yes, my fiance. When he proposed to me, and then the next thing he says, okay, so now we're gonna go and pick up the colors, and then we're gonna go and pick up the flowers. And he knew that every single step we had to go through until we have to take the cake on where to go from. I mean, he's been with his sister, had a wedding not too long ago, so he's been helping his sister. So he knew all the process that he had to go through. But the fact that he's such a control freak and he has to know about everything that happens, what the photographer said, why did he contact me? Why did he email you, not me? Does he think that you're more important than me?

[Host/Announcer]

I want to know.

[Caller 2]

I want to know this. I want to know that. I mean, I. I wanted to have a wedding since I was five years old. I was dreaming about it, and now he comes along and he steals that from me. Steals under.

[Co-host 4]

I think it's awesome that guys want to be involved in the wedding planning because I think you see more guys often in the. Not. Not want to have anything to do with the wedding, not pick out the colors, not go to appointments. But I think that's kind of endearing that guys want to be involved somewhat. The dress and the hair.

[Host]

No, no, you got to stay involved and taking over.

[Caller 2]

He has a point to say, even in the hair. Oh, I don't want you to have the hair down. I want. And I don't want it to be too poor. I want it to be like that. And I want the dress. I mean, I didn't show him my dress, but he kind of. I don't want a straight dress. I want it to be. I want you to be like a princess. I want you to be that. I want you to be that. Oh, no, it's a nightmare.

[Host]

If you scratch the surface just a little bit more, does it kind of freak you out? Like, this might be a red flag that he's so controlling, that the rest of your life is going to be like this in other areas?

[Caller 2]

No, it's not. Actually. That's the only thing that I. I mean, we've been together for almost three years, and this is the only time I see him more controlling than I've ever seen him. Like, he doesn't care about any other stuff than the wedding right now.

[Co-host 1]

Uh huh huh. Wow.

[Host]

Thank you for calling.

[Caller 2]

No problem.

[Host]

So they're out there.

[Co-host 3]

What would you prefer?

[Joanna]

I do like his involvement. I do like Jason's involvement thus far. You know, when we Were as soon as we got engaged, he did tell me, I want to do it here. I want to do it on this date. And I thought that was great. You know, we don't have to sit there and think about the date. And he does have a particular veil he wants me to wear. Just because he always imagined me in this particular veil. Aw, that's cute. Yeah, it's like the little, little involvement.

[Host]

If we have to do extremes, would you rather him be totally controlling it or totally avoiding it?

[Caller 1]

Get out of it. Get out of it.

[Joanna]

Show up in your uniform on time and don't worry about how much it costs or what it looks like.

[Host]

Hey Vicky. Good Morning. You're on Q1.

[Caller 1]

Good morning.

[Host]

Hi.

[Caller 1]

Hi. We had a friend that we went to church with and the guy was very, very serious. Always just a very serious minded person. And his wife was a real big cut up. True story. Kid you not he at the rehearsal. I mean I wouldn't really call him a Groomzilla, but I think it plays into the story pretty well and it's interesting. But he was just very serious. He wanted everybody to be serious. Guys, don't mess this up. This is a very important day. And so his wife and the rest of the wedding party got together and decided that they were going to do something really goofy. And they blacked out their teeth and did not wear shoes down the aisle. And her dad, who was the minister, wore a really goofy tie. And he did not know it until the wedding started. And we're all sitting there looking at, at this wedding and I'm feeling horrible for him and I can hear people behind me going, oh my gosh.

[Co-host 1]

But I think that's the reason he was attracted to her, I gotta say. You know, that's what he needed in his life. So it comes out. Sometimes you don't want it to, but that's what he wanted.

[Co-host 3]

The blacked out teeth.

[Co-host 1]

Awful.

[Joanna]

There should be a show called Groomzilla. I think we just.

[Host]

Yeah, I think we just tapped into something here. Hey Dana, real quick, what's up?

[Caller 1]

Yeah, my cousin, I'm in his wedding on Saturday and he is so bad that his mother calls him the bride.

[Host]

Really?

[Host/Announcer]

He's death controlling.

[Caller 1]

When they're talking about the bride, they're talking about him. He has changed the date. He has picked out that he wanted nine groomsmen that the bride, who was 13 years younger than him had to go and find people to be in the wedding because she didn't have enough people to be in it to cover his portion he's like, baby, go make friends.

[Host/Announcer]

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