If there is ever a favourite sub-genre of film, it is the wedding-themed flick. Usually romantic comedies love to delve into the world of troubled nuptials, but often we also get treated to an absolute belter of a wedding in a more traditional drama. More of that below. With the release of the Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell comedy You’re Cordially Invited, which was released on Prime Video just a couple of weeks ago, we thought we’d take a look at 5 of the best wedding scenes in movies across the years.
You’re Cordially Invited revolves around a wedding venue in the U.S. which has accidentally been double-booked by two families – Will Ferrell’s character Jim’s daughter Jenni, and hot-shot TV producer Margot’s (Witherspoon) sister Neve. Both set out to house both weddings on the small island location, but obviously, with this being a comedy, things don’t go all that well. The film doesn’t quite make our list though, despite having some cracking moments.
I Give It A Year (2013)
We’ll kick off our list with a British movie – and not the most obvious, either. I Give It A Year was released back in 2013 and stars Rose Byrne, Rafe Spall and Stephen Merchant. Written and directed by Dan Mazar, the film is set in London and features so many stand-out moments. The movie focuses on a couple, Nat (Byrne) and Josh (Spall), a couple who are gloriously happy together and decide to tie the knot despite the whispers that their family and friends are convinced it won’t last – hence the title. A Dorset wedding photographer or indeed any British supplier working a wedding breakfast might flinch at the scene we’re going to feature. I Give It A Year has perhaps the most awkward and very funny best man’s speech which comes from Merchant’s character, Danny. Watch it in all its glory below.
Love, Actually (2003)
We go back a full ten years before I Give It A Year for our next movie which is, of course, Richard Curtis’ Love, Actually and the wedding of Juliet (Keira Knightley) and Peter (Chiwetel Ejiofor). The film is a staple every Christmas and has this scene early on in proceedings when Peter’s best mate organises a full-on gospel choir [and orchestra] to serenade the duo out to the tune of The Beatles’ ‘All You Need Is Love’ as they are announced as man and wife.
Coming To America (1984)
We’ve gone a bit sentimental for our next big wedding scene from the movies and this stone-cold classic from the 1980s, Coming To America. This one comes towards the end of the film where Eddie Murphy’s Akeem is seen at the end of the aisle expecting to marry someone who has been arranged for him by the family. However, things are how we expect them to be after the bride’s veil is lifted to reveal Lisa, Akeem’s true love from his visit to America. Lovely stuff.
Mamma Mia! (2008)
We skip forward to the most recent film on our list and to Sophie’s (Amanda Seyfried) wedding in the movie version of Mamma Mia! The film is set to the glorious music of Abba and adapted from the hit musical of the same name. Our choice of scene is when Sophie’s mother Donna (Meryl Streep) stands up at Sophie’s wedding to reveal that her father is indeed present for her nuptials to Sky (Dominic Cooper). There’s a lot going on here, and it’s an absolute belter of a scene which ends to the iconic bars of the Swedish band’s legendary ‘I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do’ when Donna agrees to marry Sam (Pierce Brosnan).
The Godfather (1972)
Of course, our number one wedding scene in the history of movies belongs with the opus that is Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather. The wedding in question is that of Connie (Talia Shire) and Carlo (Gianni Russo), a scene which opens the movie and sets things up for the whole saga. This is where WWII veteran and future Don Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) introduces his new girlfriend Kay (Diane Keaton) to the family. There’s lots of dancing, tons of red wine and backroom dealings that is a masterclass in filmmaking. The first scene in a movie saga would go on to win many awards and become one of the greatest films ever made. Here’s a taster.
