My Top Six Favorite Wedding Movies

Julia Roberts and Tom Skerrit in 'Steel Magnolias', 1989.

I think weddings are magical. A day full of love, dreams, and a celebration of life, a wedding is something I strive for. Whether I really want to get married or not, remains a myster­­­y, but boy-oh-boy do I want a wedding. In fact, I have spent my whole life planning my dream day. By attending weddings all throughout childhood, watching every season of Say Yes to the Dress: New York at least three times along with the late and great Four Weddings on TLC, and flipping through my parents wedding album, I was able to grow into somewhat of a wedding expert. It wasn’t until middle school though, that I wanted to be bride.  It all started in sixth grade. I was sitting on the couch with my mom; I think it was fall. There was a fire burning in the stove, and we were trying to pick a movie to watch. She settled on Steel Magnolias with Julia Roberts and Sally Field; it was my first time seeing it. The film is quite beautiful, and quite devastating, but watching Robert’s character prepare for the day of her dreams, wear an extremely puffy 1980s wedding dress, and be enveloped by the colors blush and bashful, will change the trajectory of my life upon watching. It was in that moment I realized my dream of being the bride. Now, a bride is not just a girl who gets married. No, no, no, what is this, the 18th century? Being the bride is a mindset, it is the determination to have a wedding. With this in mind, I have decided to share my top six (five was not enough) favorite wedding movies in order of how badly they make me want to be a bride. Also, all of these movies are a must watch, so please, watch them.

Coming in at number six, we have Father of the Bride starring Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, Martin Short, and Kimberly Williams-Paisley. I will be completely honest; this movie definitely has some patriarchal themes but, if you watch the movie, and just ignore the dated comments, it’s incredible. The story follows the Bank’s family as the oldest daughter, Annie, gets married. It is ultimately a story about a father letting go, but the wedding is to-die-for, and it will have you tearing up. My favorite part is when George (Steve Martin) has a breakdown in the supermarket, over the price of weddings and hot dog buns. However, this film is at number six because it makes me want to get married while my dad deals with all the planning, no way that would go well, more than it makes me want to be a bride. But, if I could, I would get married in my childhood home, just like Annie does.

Number five is Bridesmaids. It should be obvious that this movie is on the list but, if its not, let me tell you why it should be. This is the funniest wedding movie, of all time. Correction, this is the funniest movie about the bridal parties, ever.  The cast is perfect, the wedding is perfect, its funny the whole way through, and the plot is not oversaturated with one theme. It’s a refreshing film about female friendships. And although this movie is probably one of my favorites, it makes me want to be a bride solely to have a laugh. That could just be because Maya Rudolph’s bride goes through the ringer in this film, this is probably due to her maid of honors from hell, played by Rose Byrne and Kristen Wiig. The best scene in this movie involves food poisoning, in a bridal boutique. That is all I will say.

Holding steady at number four is the criminally underrated, Sweet Home Alabama. Starring the icon herself, Reese Witherspoon, this rom com follows a southern bell fashion designer, living in New York City. I don’t want to spoil this movie for those who haven’t seen it, but this story is full of everything you could want in a rom com, everything from the plot to the cast, to the small details is perfect. The overall romantic vibe of the movie is comforting and refreshing. However, as much as I love this movie and the idea of being a rugged southern bride, I would rather be the chic New York bride. Ultimately this movie is fantastic, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for something new.

It should be no surprise that this movie is in the top 3. Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway are the dynamic duo in this movie about childhood dreams and adult friendship. Bride Wars offers a truly bridal experience in the world of wedding movies while also showcasing the drama that is being engaged at the same time as your best friend. This film also offers a good laugh the whole way through as well as an emotional punch at the end to further connect you to the story. My favorite part of this film is when Anne and Kate’s characters are trying to sabotage each other through a string of pranks. But Kate’s Vera Wang dress is the main attraction.

Now, this could be number one, but number two will suffice. Jenifer Lopez plays the main character in what is widely known as one of the best rom coms of all time. Playing a wedding planner with no prospects, Lopez falls for the fiancé of one of her clients, played by Mathew McConaughey. Capturing a wildly romantic energy, this movie offers a funny and nerve racking look at forbidden romance and the desire to be a bride. While the movie may not be about the main characters wedding, it has that bridal theme I have been talking about. Lopez perfectly portrays what I imagine it to feel like when hopelessly in love and wanting so badly to be the one in the wedding rather than planning it. The best part of this movie involves brown M&MS and slow dancing in the dark.

If you dont want your wedding to look just like Bella and Edward’s you’re lying. Coming in at number one, Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 1 is not only the best twilight movie, but is also one of the best wedding movies of all time. Although it is not commonly regarded as such, the entire movie revolves around the nuptuals of Bella Swan and her vampire lover Edward Cullen. Growing up watching the Twilight movies, and in an area very close to Forks, I feel like I am connected to this wedding in a way no one else could begin to imagine. Everything about it is perfect, but if I had to pick the best parts I would say, Bella’s dress, the way it is held in the woods surrounded by trees and flowers, and just how perfect for eachother Bella and Edward are. Not to mention Bella is leading my dream life while in a love triangle with a bloody vampire and a werewolf. I would kill for this wedding. I would strongly suggest that you watch this movie with the mindset of it being a wedding movie, it will change the way you watch it forever.

I know this list does not begin to cover all of the great wedding movies out there, but I hope this collection of my favorites reels you into the world that is hopeless romanticism and the need to be a bride.

-Miss O

Honrable mentions: