Planning a wedding is never easy, but the world of cinema would have us believe that it’s practically impossible. From jealous bridesmaids and dead brides to opportunistic weddings crashers and jilted wedding singers, we take a look at eight wedding movies.
- Bridesmaids
This comedy turned attention away from the bride to focus on her bridesmaids instead. Although Kristen Wiig, as maid of honour Annie, is the movie’s protagonist, it’s Melissa McCarthy who steals the show as her unapologetic, straight-talking fellow bridesmaid Megan.
Warning: Contains strong language (and life lessons)
- Corpse Bride
Director Tim Burton recruits his cast regulars (Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Christopher Lee) to voice this musical stop-motion animation, with constant musical collaborator Danny Elfman on duty for the musical numbers. Burton and co-director Mike Johnson expertly (and tongue-in-cheekily) contrast the grim stoicism of the Victorian era with a vibrant underworld, bursting with colour and life – as the bride of the title pines for her stolen happy ending, roping the already-betrothed Victor into her undead fray.
- Father of the Bride
A remake of the 1950 movie, Steve Martin plays the neurotic title character in classic comic form. Meshing together the hilarity of his mid-life crisis and his horror at having to let his daughter go, it’s full of funny moments and reteams Steve Martin with comedy partner Martin Short.
Watch Father of the Bride on Saturday 14 January at 15:57 on M-Net Movies All Stars.
- Four Weddings and Funeral
Why watch a movie with just one wedding, when you can watch one with four and throw in a funeral besides? This ‘90s gem is penned by Richard Curtis, who also wrote rom-coms like Notting Hill and Love Actually, as well as TV shows such as Blackadder and Not the Nine O'Clock News. So if you want a rom-com that’s whip-smart and served with a dollop of charming schmaltz, this film has it in spades and features Curtis regulars Hugh Grant and Rowan Atkinson - both in classic, bumbling form.
- My Best Friend’s Wedding
Another stalwart of the rom-com genre is Julia Roberts and she’s in top form in this film in which the girl doesn’t get the guy. Even though Julia’s great and Rupert Everett is fabulous as her gay friend/fake fiancé , it’s Cameron Diaz – as adorable, enthusiastic bride Kimberly – that steals the show.
- My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Have you ever found yourself in that awkward social situation where people nag you about your marital status? That’s what Toula Portokalos deals with all the time, particularly from her overtly traditional Greek family. To make the situation even more aggravating, her parents aren’t keen on her doing anything that doesn’t involve being a wife and mother – to a husband and children that are as Greek as souvlaki and ouzo. Needless to say comedy and chaos ensue when Toula falls for a non-Greek man. The sleeper hit of 2002, the film gave rise to a TV series and a sequel.
Watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, your Sunday night movie on 8 January at 20:00 on M-Net.
- The Wedding Singer
If ever there was a match made in heaven it was the one between Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore when they teamed up for this ‘80s set comedy, which sees Sandler as the title character and Barrymore as the girl he’s meant to marry. Unfortunately both are engaged to other, not-so-nice people. Luckily fate, along with some kooky friends, terrible partners, a pop idol and Sandler’s strumming guitar, ultimately bring Sandler and Barrymore together for the ending we’re all rooting for right from the start.
Watch The Wedding Singer on Wednesday 11 January at 22:10 on M-Net Movies Showcase.
- Wedding Crashers
Sandler and Barrymore would go on to make two more films together, but we’ve lost count of the amount of times Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson have teamed up. In this wedding comedy, they continuously crash other people’s big day in order to meet women – until they meet their match in the form of Gloria and Claire. Featuring the obligatory cameo from another of their comedic pack (i.e. Will Ferrell) it also stars Hollywood greats Christopher Walken and Jane Seymour, and Bradley Cooper in one of his first feature films - with Isla Fisher as the comedic standout, as the nutty Gloria.
Got cold feet? Say yes to one of your other Sunday night movie selections: comedy horror Goosebumps at 20:30 on M-Net Movies Premiere or Oscar-winning Polish drama Ida at 21:00 on M-Net Edge.
Getting married and want your big day featured on M-Net? Then enter M-Net’s new wedding show below.