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When you think of extravagant weddings, you may be picturing a big celebrity event or even a dramatic ceremony from one of your friends. Between floral arrangements worth thousands and elaborate designer gowns, who doesn’t love a good, lavish wedding? But it’s even better when you see it on the big screen, and there’s no shortage of big, beautiful wedding scenes when it comes to our favorite movies.
Chances are that your favorite movie may have a wedding scene too (especially if your favorite movies are classic rom-coms from the 2000s). But not all wedding scenes are made equal. Yes, many are tear-jerking, but only a few really bring the over-the-top luxury that makes you swoon — and also wonder how much it all cost.
So, what makes for the perfect, over-the-top movie wedding scene? A swanky venue and to-die-for dress help, but it really has to have that IT factor: a runaway bride, a castle as a venue, crazy planning, etc.
From rom-com favorites like 27 Dresses to Father of the Bride, to scarier picks like Melancholia and Ready or Not, grand wedding scenes can transcend into any genre. In any genre, we’ll be fawning over the details (and adding them to our Pinterest boards).
Check out the best, over-the-top weddings in your favorite movies below.
‘Bride Wars’
Starring Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson, Bride Wars follows two best friends that become rivals after their dream weddings are on the same day. Now out of the two weddings, Hudson’s was way more extravagant and beautiful. We loved Hathaway’s red rose motif, but Hudson’s wedding was more elegant with the golden, emerald theme throughout.
’27 Dresses’
Katherine Heigl gave us the most in 27 Dresses. The classic rom-com follows a woman who’s always, always a maid of honor or bridesmaid. However, Heigl’s character has a dilemma when her little sister and the man she’s in love with fall in love. So, every wedding we got a glimpse of was amazing (even the underwater wedding!). No matter your outlandish wedding aesthetic, chances are that 27 Dresses delivered.
‘Father of the Bride’
Father of the Bride will always be our go-to feel-good movie. Starring Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, and Martin Short, this classic follows the father of the bride as he wrestles with being a supportive father or not going to his daughter’s wedding. The wedding scene is everything you could hope for: heartwarming, beautiful, and ornate out the wazoo.
‘The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement’
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement follows Princess Mia (Anne Hathaway) as she tries to find a husband in 30 days to succeed the throne. So we loved the floral, rustic vibe of the wedding (and her wedding gown!), but we loved one thing more. We will always love the iconic scene where Mia says she doesn’t need a man to be queen.
‘Sex And The City’ Movie (2008)
In the 2008 movie, our beloved girl gang navigates love, career, and motherhood in the Sex And The City movie. One of our favorite scenes (before it all went wrong) will always be Carrie’s wedding. The lavish wedding had everything you could want: designer gowns, a legendary venue, and unique bouquets.
‘Beauty and the Beast’
The 2017 live-action version of Beauty and the Beast was truly a dream. The Oscar-nominated film follows Belle (Emma Watson) and The Beast (Dan Stevens) as they fall in love, despite the odds stacked against them. The wedding was truly a fairytale. From the choreography, the intricate details, and Belle’s dress we’re still not over — it’s one of the most underrated wedding scenes.
‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’
My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a staple for wedding movies. The 2002 film follows a Greek woman and a non-Greek man getting married, struggling to have her Greek family accept him. The entire movie is about one grand Greek wedding, and this wedding is still on the top of our Pinterest wedding board.
‘Crazy Rich Asians’
Starring Constance Wu and Henry Golding, Crazy Rich Asians follows a New Yorker as she meets her boyfriend’s insanely rich family. This wedding scene is still one of our favorites, we’ve never seen one quite like it! Between the venue and dress, how has Disney not recreated this?
‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’
My Best Friend’s Wedding had one of the most iconic, extravagant wedding scenes to date. Between the flood of rice being thrown, hundreds of guests, and the fireworks send-off, this rom-com was the blueprint. My Best Friend’s Wedding follows a woman who falls in love with her best friend when she discovers he’s getting married. The Oscar-nominated film stars Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz, and Dermot Mulroney.
You can watch it on Netflix.
‘Mamma Mia!’
Starring Amanda Seyfriend and Meryl Streep, Mamma Mia! is the go-to musical for girl’s night. The musical follows a bride-to-be trying to find her real father, all in ABBA songs. The wedding scene was everything we ever wanted in that movie. No spoilers, but it’s the sweetest ending. And we loved the rustic setting and Sophie’s elegant gown.
‘Melancholia’
The wedding in Melancholia is the pinnacle of luxury, however, it’s not one we’d want to be invited to. The sci-fi film follows Kirsten Dunst and Alexander Skarsgård’s insanely gorgeous wedding day. But on their wedding day, they find out that a planet is about to collide with Earth. But focusing on the wedding, they wed in a literal castle — it doesn’t get much nicer than that.
‘Ready or Not’
Ready or Not is truly a one-of-a-kind horror movie. After a pair of newlyweds exchange vows in front of the groom’s family estate (goals!), they have to play a game for the bride to be initiated. While the movie is a bit gory, we still love the simple outdoor wedding. The Final Girl film stars Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, and Andie MacDowell.
‘Coming to America’
You’re lying to yourself if you didn’t want Shari Headley’s pink ballgown whenComing to America came out. The classic comedy film also stars Eddie Murphy as he plays the Prince of Zamunda, looking to find a bride who loves him for who he is. A royal wedding with a pink gown? Of course this is one of the best movie weddings.
‘Monsoon Wedding’
Monsoon Wedding is a must-have rom-com with twists ad turns in every way as a group plans an arranged marriage in India. The wedding scene is full of colorful, regal splendor, making us wish we were an extra in that whole scene.
‘Bridesmaids’
Bridesmaids was a wild ride, to put it lightly. Starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, and Maya Rudolph, this blockbuster hit shows how friendship and rivalry can shake up a wedding. The dancing, the lights, the fountain — it was a modern-day fairytale wedding we’re still fawning over.
‘The Five-Year Engagement’
Starring Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Chris Pratt, and Alison Brie, The Five-Year Engagement follows a couple whose wedding keeps getting pushed aside until it’s been five years. The wedding scene is one of the best and most unique to date. They basically did a speed-dating, choose your own wedding routine at the park, minutes before their wedding. A must-watch!
‘About Time’
We’re a sucker for colorful, rustic weddings and About Time takes the cake. Plus, we’re still swooning over Rachael MacAdams’ red gown and the intimate storm scene. About Time follows a man who realizes he can travel back in time and wants to change his life for the better.
‘Scarface’
Mobster movies are known for two things: violence and luxurious wedding scenes — and Scarfacedelivered both. The attire was a 1980s dream that still has us wanting to recreate the same for our own wedding.
‘The Wedding Singer’
Starring Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, and Christine Taylor, The Wedding Singer is a rom-com that follows two people who are engaged to the wrong people, but find a way back to each other. Every wedding scene in this is a masterpiece, from the huge hair to adorable songs.
‘The Graduate’
The classic film The Graduate follows a recent graduate seduced by an older woman, who then falls for her daughter instead. This leads to one of the most epic wedding scenes ever. A chase scene, forbidden love, and an honest conclusion: it’s something you need to see once in your lifetime.
‘Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1’
Despite Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1 being many people’s least favorite film in the Twilight franchise, no one can deny that the wedding scene was unbelievable. Despite the awkward tension, the flowers, trees, and overall outdoorsy haven is a cottagecore dream.
‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’
Throughout Four Weddings and a Funeral, as the title suggests, we see four different weddings take place, from the most lavish to the most simple. Our favorite one is Andie MacDowell’s character’s Carrie’s big day. After all, how stunning does she look?
‘Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde’
At the end of Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde, Elle Woods and Emmett (Reese Witherspoon and Luke Wilson) tie the knot in a beautiful ceremony. After the two walk back down the aisle, they even have a romantic run in a pergola outside filled with flowers. So beautiful!
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