How do I prevent bridges while soldering SMD Components?
When soldering by hand, it is easier and faster to just ignore the bridges while you solder the part and then clean it up. 

Just put some desoldering wick on the bridge, heat with your soldering iron (may need a bigger tip or more heat) and the excess solder will happily flow into the wick leaving perfect solder joints.

With practice the cleaning of even large parts just takes a few seconds.