Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.My best friend is getting married, I am in the wedding party, I am involved with the planning, and put quite simply: I have weddings on the brain. I think weddings are fun and stressful and a part of life–sometimes even when it’s not your wedding. Having been married once before, I have a different appreciation for holy matrimony than my friends. I think it comes with the territory of being that friend that somehow managed to go through all of life’s big milestones first.

I moved in with a boyfriend first, turned 21 first, graduated first, got a big-girl job first, got engaged first, moved into a house first, got married first, quit the big-girl job first, went to grad school first, quit grad school first, got divorced first, moved out of the state first… I think that’s where my list of firsts ends. I do not plan on being pregnant first. No, no. I’m really hoping to be shocked by someone else I know (and love) experiencing that before me. I try not to be too cynical about it all, and I tell myself often that I don’t know everything. I don’t understand the struggles of my friends because they are not my own. The struggles I have been through don’t compare to those of others because they were mine.

But, like I said, my appreciation for marriage has definitely evolved. And I’m really happy that it has, even though it was a long road to travel. I do contemplate on getting married again someday, and to be quite honest, I’m excited. Unlike my first wedding, I have no expectations–I just know it will be lovely and less stressful. Because–shocker–the wedding doesn’t mean anything when it comes to the rest of your lifetime. Pinky swear. A lot of emphasis is put on one day when it’s the lifetime that you are meant to be celebrate. The beautiful everyday routine that comes with being connected to the one you love–that’s where the energy is supposed to go.

And, I’ll go ahead and get off my soapbox now. At my core I do adore weddings and especially movies about weddings. And without further adieu, here is a list of my favorite wedding-related movies–ones that I can watch over and over and they still make me smile. Not all of them are rom-coms and not all of them are the cookie-cutter depictions of holy matrimony, but hey, some of them are. Because it’s nice to watch things work out perfectly and sometimes it’s just nice to watch it all fall apart. Everyone loves a good train wreck every now and then, right?

Right.

My Favorite Wedding Movies of All Time

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

“We’re living in a material world and I am a material girl… or boy.” -Robbie Hart

The Wedding Singer: This is not only one of my favorite wedding movies, it’s also my favorite Adam Sandler movie. It’s also set in the ’80s, which I love, and the music is incredible. I love this movie because it’s sweet.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

“Bridesmaids are like matrimonial interns.” -Man

“There are no happy endings in our future.” -Woman

Conversations with Other Women: Not your average wedding movie. I repeat: Not your average wedding movie. I watched this on a whim one summer while I was unemployed, because it a) featured two of my favorite actors and b) I’d never heard of it. Since I’m sure you’ve probable never heard of it either, I’ll give you a quick summary: Man and Woman attend wedding of a mutual “friend” and proceed to have the wittiest banter you ever heard. You follow their conversation over wedding cake and champagne and then you wonder… Do they know each other? I thought they just met? How can you talk to a stranger like that? 

Well. I will tell you this. You learn about their history as the conversation goes on… and let’s just say it’s juicy. I love this movie because it’s unexpected.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

“I am Shiva the destroyer, your harbinger of doom this evening.” -Kym

Rachel Getting Married: Yet another movie that centers around a wedding but isn’t really about the wedding. Along with the rest of the world, I was shocked by Anne Hathaway’s performance. Her talent truly shines in this movie as the uber-conflicted sister of Rachel, who as the title states, is getting married. This movie is chock full of family drama, deep-seeded issues and emotion. This is my favorite scene. I love this movie because it is raw.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

 “It’s amazing the clarity that comes with psychotic jealousy.” -George Downes

My Best Friend’s Wedding: I’m sorry, but duh. Of course this movie is on my list. The ’90s might not have done a lot of things right, but damn. So many amazing romantic comedies were produced in this period. And I’m not sure exactly what makes them all so timeless, but Julia Roberts is just sheer perfection in this role. Watching this movie, you can’t help but feel like you are her. If this happened to me in real life, I’d die of happiness. I love this movie because sometimes life just sucks, but it’s okay.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

“Well, that’s the thing about life, is the surprises, the little things that sneak up on you and grab hold of you.” -George Banks

Father of the Bride: This movie always reminds me of my friend Kelsey – we watched it so many times together, always laughing at the same parts. I’ve always found it endearing for many reasons. For one, George Banks is such a father to me. What I mean is, he is the quintessential kooky dad that loves his daughter (who’s getting married – shocker) so much that it makes him crazy. Looking back I think I lived vicariously through this family’s shenanigans, because even through their dysfunctionality they are perfect. This part always makes me laugh. I love this movie because there’s nothing sweeter than a lunatic father.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

“Why?… Why do you love me?” -Toula Portokalos

“Because I came alive when I met you.” -Ian Miller

My Big Fat, Greek Wedding: This is nostalgic for me, because my mom and sister and I love this movie probably more than any other females in the world. I think this story is simple, yet wonderful. Toula is sick of being a 30-something nobody, so she does something simple, yet incredible, and turns her life around. Not for Aiden John Corbett, not for her family, FOR HER. And then her happiness followed. I love this movie because strong women rock.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

“Well, you must be Jake’s hot date. I’m Melanie, Jake’s snotty Yankee bitch wife whom he refuses to divorce.” -Melanie Carmichael

Sweet Home Alabama: This movie came out on my birthday, and I saw it in theaters with a boy who, at the time, did not know he was gay. Ah, memories. I may or may not have gotten a haircut exactly like Reese Witherspoon’s after seeing this movie. My boyfriend at the time was of course, very honest with me and said it wasn’t quite the same. C’est la vie. I think there is something special about stories that revolve around characters going back home again. Add some hot guys in the mix to confuse Ms. Witherspoon and hot damn! You have a movie. I love this movie because it is the epitome of cute.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

“You smell like sweet red plums and grilled cheese sandwiches.” -Mary

The Wedding Planner: Probably the cheesiest movie on the list, but hey, it’s another one that got lots of rotation in my DVD player. I love how J.Lo has everything so together in her life and Matthew McConaughey is so… Matthew McConaughey (before the whole world caught onto his standard, go-to “guy” character). The part when he tells her he only eats the brown M&Ms is so cute, I could die, and her Scrabble-playing dad is just the best. Plus! Karev is totally a goofball in this movie, and the sheer memory of that just makes me chuckle. I love this movie because it scored 17% on RottenTomatoes.com.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

“There is a distinct possibility that I am profoundly and irreversibly screwed up.” -Maggie Carpenter

Runaway Bride: Man. Julia Roberts sure can make a wedding movie. It’s hard to put this movie into words, because I adore it so much. Great story line, great actors, so many great self-reflective nuggets in this movie. Just like in My Best Friend’s Wedding, you feel like you are Maggie Carpenter–so afraid to commit, yet knowing a decision has to be made. And of course, at the end of the day the decision has very little to do with choosing a husband, but more so finally choosing yourself. Holy cow this part gets to me and I’d love it if my next wedding felt a lot like this. I love this movie because Garry Marshall is a rom-com genius.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Serendipity: Okay, okay. I know that this isn’t a “wedding” movie, but it is a movie that centers around a wedding. The characters are sprung into motion in reaction to an upcoming wedding and subsequent engagement (Mr. Corbett appears again!), and the story (quite frankly) doesn’t exist without these milestones. John Cusack is amazing to me, and every time he starts rambling I do not care because he is so forthright and believable. Also, I have routinely called Kate Beckinsale, “Kate Becksindale” for so long now that it feels like I’m going against my nature by saying her name correctly. I feel like I have lived through the emotions in this scene. I love this movie because serendipity is real.

And that’s my list, people! Now I feel like going on a love adventure that ends with “I do.” Thanks a lot, Hollywood.

I think I’ll just continue to plan pin my future wedding instead.

-Sarah