Top Wedding Movies
EIGHT ESSENTIAL FILMS ANY BRIDE-TO-BE MUST WATCH
There’s a rite of passage that every bride-to-be must go through, that goes hand-in-hand with saying ‘I do’. It involves girlie nights, popcorn scoffing and plenty of tears, I’m of course talking about top wedding movies!
Love them or loathe them, one thing’s for sure, there’s definitely no getting away from them! No fiancé is immune to the mandatory watching of at least one film in the run-up to their big day. And even if it’s not on your agenda, you can sure bet that at least one of the bridal party will subject you to her favourite chick-flick. So, hey why not embrace it!
Take a moment to put aside all the important things, like booking a wedding photographer, finding a venue and choosing a wedding dress, and take some time to indulge in a great wedding-themed movie.
I’ve been photographing weddings for the past 13 years which has given a lot of insight into the preparation for the big day. The following list of films have been recommended to me from the many to-be-brides that I’ve worked with over the years.
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1 – Four Weddings and a Funeral
Best for: Getting nostalgic and remembering the 90s in all its glory!
Watch with: Your husband-to-be
Don’t’ watch it with: An ex-boyfriend, obvs!
The quintessential British comedy and one of the most successful British movies of all time. This brilliant rom-com will make you laugh and cry in equal measure. At heart, it’s a film about falling recklessly in love, and by the end of it you’ll be swooning over Hugh Grant – guaranteed! Despite a number of movie gold cheesy moments (“is it raining, I hadn’t noticed”,) you can expect its timeless appeal to still be as enjoyable today as when you watched it first. A film that has stood the test of time, its stellar line-up also includes Andie Macdowell, Simon Callow, Rowan Atkinson and John Hannah – all in their youth!
Link to embed film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-HeV8Z6iXc
2 – Bridesmaids
Best for: The hen night
Watch with: Your bridesmaids, especially the maid of honour
Don’t’ watch it with: Friends you didn’t ask to be bridesmaids, ouch!
If you haven’t seen this film already, you’re in for a treat! Many people think weddings are all about two people getting married, but it’s so much more than that. They are about the importance of friends, love of family and coming together of two families. Bridesmaids is the perfect antidote for pre-wedding stress and an absolute must for a hen night get-together. With laugh-out-loud scenes, wedding meltdowns and relatable humour throughout, it will make you feel positively prepared for your impending nuptials. Centering around an engagement, it’ a must-watch for anyone preparing to undertake the duties of maid of honour too!
Read More: How To Be The Perfect Maid Of Honor
Link to embed film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNppLrmdyug
3 – Meet the Parents
Best for: Newly engaged couples
Watch with: Your in-laws
Don’t’ watch it with: Your fiancé and father-in-law in the same room!
When Pam gets engaged to Greg (Ben Stiller), she suggests a weekend away to meet her family. Cue Robert de Niro playing the neurotic father-in-law, as Greg is put through his paces to earn his place in the family. Giving a real appreciation for the struggle of love and what some guys go through, this laugh-a-minute movie will make you think your family isn’t that weird after all!
Link to embed film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXqxP-bUC7I
4 – The Hangover
Best for: Saturday night’s in, especially when the wedding stress kicks in
Watch with: Your male friends
Don’t’ watch it with: Your partner before his stag night!
Sure, The Hangover is about a stag night, but for anyone getting married its comedy gold and simply unmissable. Featuring a five-star line up including Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha and Heather Graham, it’s every bride’s worst nightmare realised. When stag party descends on Las Vegas days before the wedding, all carnage ensues. Will they make it back before the big day…? I won’t ruin the surprise for you! When wedding stress gets to you and you need something light-hearted to perk you up, make this your go-to movie.
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Link to embed film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcdUhdOlz9M
5 – Mama Mia
Best for: Sing-alongs and weddings abroad
Watch with: Your mum
Don’t’ watch it with: Your mum (see notes!)
Colin Firth, Dominic Cooper, Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried star in one of the most famous wedding films in recent years. If you’re planning a wedding abroad, whether it’s to a Greek island, Spanish get-away or French bolthole, then this is the perfect pre-wedding film for you. Set on a Greek island, this feel-good film is both best watched and avoided with your mum! 20-year old bride-to-be Sophie Sheridan dreams of having her father walk her down the aisle. When she discovers it could be any of three men from her Mothers wild past, she gets to work to find out who it could be. Set to a happy soundtrack of Abba songs, expect to add every one of them to your hen night playlist! These guys had a destination wedding, you can too!
Read More: Planning A Destination Wedding
Link to embed film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCVpJ8x1Tnc
6 – Father of the Bride
Best for: Getting weepy
Watch with: Your parents
Don’t’ watch it with: Your husband-to-be, unless you want to put him off!
This throwback to the 90s features Steve Martin as a loveable, if not slightly over-protective Dad, coming to terms with his daughter growing up. You’ll weep (“I was no longer the man in my little girls’ life”), you’ll laugh and you might even see your wedding from an entirely other perspective. This coming-of-age flick has relatable and comical quips, making it an enjoyable watch in the run up to your big day. It’s especially enjoyable if you have a wedding co-ordinator, with ‘Franck’ getting some of the best lines.
Link to embed film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SISCf6rp01s
7 – My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Best for: Family fun
Watch with: Your (big fat Greek) family
Don’t’ watch it with: The in-laws, especially if they’re marrying in to an overwhelming family… at least not before the wedding!
You don’t need to be Greek, big or fat to love this movie! A veritable romantic romp, this is essential viewing for anyone marrying in to a large family, particularly from different cultures, but you’ll still love it even if you’re not. It’s hard not to relate to the main character Greek Tula (Nia Vardalos), engaged to American Ian Miller (Aidan from Sex and the City!), as the clashing of cultures comes together in the most brilliant way. If nothing else, you’ll learn what a ‘bunt’ is. Opa!
Link to embed film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2mecmDFE-Q
8 – Gone with the Wind
Best for: Helpless romantics and a bygone era of romance
Watch with: Your grandparents
Don’t’ watch it with: Anyone who isn’t old enough to remember what a landline telephone is!
Considered one of the greatest movies of all time, let Gone with the Wind sweep you off your feet! This 1939 classic, stars legends from the silver screen Clarke Gable and Vivien This tangled love story is set in wartime America, with femme fatale Scarlett O’Hara at the helm. It’s a classic tale and one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. With full-on kissing scenes and wistful breathless dialogue, they certainly don’t make films like this anymore!
Link to embed film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X94oZgJis4
What are your top wedding movies? Comment below!
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