Relationships
20 Movie Wedding Scenes That Will Inspire Your Own Beautiful Nuptials
If there's one thing the movies get right, it's that weddings can be a mixed bag. These 20 movie wedding scenes encompass all of it: the good, the bad, and the yeah, kind of ugly. With weddings come the pains of putting your quirky extended family members together, or trying to smooth over slights between friends. Wedding-planning can be as tedious as it is exciting. You might have to stand up to nitpicking in-laws. You're consumed with questions like "Will my SO's parents like me?" and "Will my parents like them?" And youo might also ask yourself, too, "Am I even making the right decision by getting married right now?"
But of course, with the potential for drama and sabotage from family and friends, there's also all the lovely sights, sounds, tastes, and feelings a wedding can bring. You get the dreamy venue, romantic wedding destinations, sumptuous food and drinks, and lovely procession down the aisle. With a dance floor and an open bar, your reception becomes the perfect backdrop for a flirty meet-cute. And finally, you get all your loved ones — your ride-or-dies, tender-hearted family members, and even the lovably prickly ones — in one place to celebrate true love.
Here are 20 movie weddings that prove that love truly conquers all — and that you'll want to snag a bit of your aesthetic wedding inspiration from, too.
'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1'
Twi-hard or not, it was difficult not to get hit with the feels during Edward and Bella's wedding. After life-or-death beefing between vampires, werewolves, and mortals alike, everyone really needed a little positivity in their life. Those cascading floral arrangements, fairy lights, five-tier wedding cake, and open bar probably did just the trick.
'Mamma Mia'
This scene was thrilling not only because Sophie was getting married — but also, of course, because she cooked up a scheme to find her real father. If you want drama at your wedding as well as drama in your wedding look, take cues from Mamma Mia and its beachy, Grecian vibes.
'Bride Wars'
Sometimes, you twin on purpose. Other times, you accidentally match with someone, and the results are devastating. The tug-of-war over weddings that is Bride Wars puts so much into perspective. If anything: Double-check wedding deets with your BFF and don't lose track of what's really important! Another note: get into the sweetheart necklines and off-the-shoulder taffeta action from Vera Wang.
'27 Dresses'
If you're "always the bridesmaid and never the bride," 27 Dresses is proof: You'll find your perfect match when you're least expecting it. A bit of cool wedding inspo from the film: a reception with banners, ribbons, and fairy lights on a rooftop at night.
'Clueless'
Second only to Mean Girls or High School Musical, there isn't a more iconic American film about the trials and tribulations of high school. The ending wedding scene is extra sweet: Half of it is the cotton-candy color palette and the other half is that both Cher's teachers and Cher herself finally get the love they deserve.
'Bridesmaids'
Similar to Bride Wars, Bridesmaids touches on how emotions can run high, especially during the wedding planning-process. As always, bringing your loved ones together in the name of romance is always the right move. If it's in the budget, why not have a perfectly timed "They Do" sign projected onto a waterfall, lasers, and a live band at your wedding?
'Crazy Rich Asians'
In general, wedding parties can be tricky. Each BFF, coworker, family member, and crucial friend of a friend gets invited because they're beloved by one of the "nearlyweds." But that's no guarantee that everyone is going to get along. Crazy Rich Asians is wonderful reminder that no one has everything all figured out, but what we can agree on is a wonderful time. What's more is that the floral arrangements, hand-held lights, gentle streams of water, and Kina Grannis crooning as you walk down the aisle make for the ultimate lush wedding inspiration.
'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'
If you're close with your parents and your family is steeped in a specific culture, you might worry about bringing home an SO of a different ethnicity, race, or religion than you. My Big Fat Greek Wedding is an iconic, light-hearted example of all the obstacles you might face when that's the case. Take cues from this film when it comes to following your heart anyway — while also leaning into a more traditional wedding. Of course, you can always put your own spin on it, like, for example, wearing a stacked pearl choker to complete your look.
'Sex and the City'
The Sex and the City movie is all about Carrie taking those next steps in her life: First, moving in with and getting married to Big, but also, figuring out what it is she wants out of life. While getting stood up isn't ideal wedding inspo, Carrie's killer Vivienne Westwood wedding gown is. If anything, Sex and the City also shows that the second time (and a vintage suit) is the charm.
'Bride and Prejudice'
Similar to My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Bride and Prejudice (a Bollywood-style adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice) tackles ideas of courting and romance across cultures. This movie racks up four weddings total, making for plenty of embroidered, vibrant, perfectly choreographed wedding inspiration.
'What Happens In Vegas'
Getting married in Vegas ends being the best mistake of Joy's and Jack's lives. But it might do you well to take cues from Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas, and do a little bit of planning ahead.
'50 Shades Freed'
Before all of the stalking, fighting, and BDSM drama pops off, 50 Shades Freed opens with an enviable wedding. Get into chandeliers made of delicate flowers, crystal lanterns, and an incredible, lacy Monique Lhuillier wedding dress — and jetting off to Paris for your honeymoon.
'Tag'
That's the thing about a decades-long game of tag: You never know when you're going to be "it." Of course, it's why Jerry, one of the five main friends of Tag, does everything in his power to keep the gang away from his wedding. But why would anyone pass up a chance like this to go down in (tag) history? Despite being a chaotic, rowdy movie, the semi-outdoor wedding in tag is the best of both worlds when it comes to wedding venues.
'A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding'
Picking up where A Christmas Prince left off, A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding shows just how complicated planning Aldovian royal nuptials can be. When it comes to wedding aesthetics, having your ceremony around Christmas time can really help.
'Love Actually'
Long before A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding, Love Actually reigned supreme as a film about Christmas and weddings. While this ceremony ends up being a source of conflict later on, the gospel choir singing "All You Need is Love" by the Beatles is extremely heart-warming. Gospel cover of an oldie, anyone?
'A Star is Born'
Lunch with a friend leads Jackson and Ally, star-crossed lovers of A Star is Born, to have an impromptu wedding. If you and your boo get married on a whim, a simple blue suit, a '60s inspired look (complete with backcombed hair and a flower tucked behind the ear), and a cozy church are the way to do it.
'Sound of Music'
Maria's marriage to Captain von Trapp is actually inspo for days: dreamy veil paired with a laurel wreath, snatched pixie cut, and collared silk dress. Bonus points if you can get married in Austria, or somewhere with equal amounts of fairy tale qualities.
'Monster-in-Law'
Monster-in-Law is built on the trope of a mother-in-law having ill will toward their kid's spouse-to-be. In the film, Charlie puts up with a lot of Viola's sabotage before standing up to her and also celebrating the qualities she admires in her. Not only is Monster-in-Law a great playbook for drawing boundaries, but J.Lo's silky SaeYoung Vu Couture wedding dress is a look!
'Four Weddings and a Funeral'
Four Weddings and a Funeral shows that wedding season can be full of ups and downs for the brides, grooms, and wedding parties, but also for the guests themselves. While Charles and Carrie's first attempt at a wedding is put on hold, Carrie's wreath of flowers and pearls beneath her veil should definitely be brought into this decade. (And for those who love the film and don't know: Mindy Kaling just remade Four Weddings and a Funeral for Hulu.)
'The Princess Diaries 2: A Royal Engagement'
Mia Thermopolis has always been a role model, simply because she's all about embracing her quirks and marching to the beat of her own drum. Just like the first Princess Diaries, Princess Diaries 2: A Royal Engagement reminds viewers that you've got to be getting married for the right reasons (aka following your heart). When it comes to wedding inspiration, treating your nuptials like a royal Genovian ceremony is always a fab place to start.
Whether it's the bridesmaids dresses or the marriage itself, it's easy to get caught up in what society or your friends or family say your wedding should be. But at the end of the day, you've got to trust your gut, and keep love at the forefront.
