10 OF THE BEST WEDDING COMEDIES
(To Help Relieve Wedding Stress)
Written by Nate Hamon
Maybe you’re preparing for your own wedding and need some stress relief. Maybe you’re a qualified wedding celebrant looking for some inspiration (or you want to become a celebrant). Maybe you’re simply a hopeful romantic looking for a quick “hit”. Whatever your reason a good wedding flick may do the trick. More often than not this sub-genre to romance can be a bit cringey and cheese-laden but that’s part of the charm right?
Here is my pick for 10 of the best wedding themed comedies.
Spoiler alert: I added an extra at the last minute but “Top 10” sounds better than “Top 11”.
Wedding Crashers (2005)
Packed with an A-list ensemble before many were fully integrated into the A-list scene (Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Isla Fisher, and Bradley Cooper) this film is more tender than you might expect from the outset. It’s a tale of connectedness through sociality and finding that “breakthrough” love of your life when all you really wanted was a life of flings. Of course, this sweetness is found in the very last layer and in the very centre of what on the surface is a raunchy sex comedy.
The Proposal (2009)
Before Ryan Reynolds was the “action-comedy” guy he was the “rom-Com” guy. Reynolds and co-star Sandra Bullock play two people posing as fiancés so that Bullock’s character, a Canadian high flying executive, can get a US green card. Of course you don’t have to watch it to guess right that the two are at odds with each other until the tension eases and sure enough, they fall in love.
In real-life it is Ryan who is the Canadian and Bullock was born in Virginia, which is as American as it comes historically (being one of the first 10 states of the USA).
My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)
With “My Best Friend’s Wedding” Julia Roberts cemented her place as a darling of romantic comedy alongside other romcom stalwarts such as Doris Day and Meg Ryan. Some would call this film “over the top” or even obnoxious but that’s where you go naturally when you throw the drama of romance into a comedy. It’s still highly watchable and this portrayal of a woman trying her hardest to find reciprocation to her unspoken love for her bestie by carelessly trying to sabotage his wedding, leaves us with a satisfying, un-Hollywood ending.
Bridesmaids (2011)
Most wedding films concentrate on the marrying couple as the protagonists but this one, as the title suggests, zeroes in on the bridal party and the chaotic trail that this hilarious ensemble leave behind. And leave behind they do! In the bathroom sink of a bridal boutique, in the middle of the street… If you’ve seen it you’ll know what I mean.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
This was a massive surprise hit for a low-budget, relatively small name production that still resonates with audiences 20 years on. “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” doesn’t hold back on cultural clashes and the “cleanness” (no blatant sex scenes and innuendo is limited,) of the script feels refreshing. The whole film dances with effervescence.
The Best Man (1999)
Starring Taye Diggs “The Best Man” is ‘90s ensemble gem. While it has its silly moments it mostly feels well planted and real. The highs and lows of group dynamics are explored and it feels like a very internally reflective film that draws the audience in to that reflection.
The Hangover (2009)
You could justifiably argue that this film is not really about a wedding at all. The marriage provides the bookends but this is focused on that scary time pre-wedding when many a bloke decides that a wild escape for a night is a necessary tradition pre-wedding. Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis are a perfectly weighted ensemble. Throw in a baby, a tiger and one of comedy’s greatest cameos by Mike Tyson and you have a ridiculously fun slapstick film.
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
Here is where Hugh Grant got his start where he went on to play the same awkward character in many a rom-com. Andie MacDowell had already lit up the screen many a time before with her room filling smile and house filling hair. As the 2 cross paths at a number of weddings and funerals, Hugh’s character begins to wonder if it is fate.
The Graduate (1967)
There’s nothing quite like the tension of a love triangle. But what if that love triangle involves a young college graduate, (Dustin Hoffman,) who, in his search for human connection, finds himself in a love triangle with the bewitching Mrs. Robinson and her daughter Elaine? That’s the premise of this 1967 classic that often tops “best of” lists, sits at nearly 90% critic favourability on Rotten Tomatoes and scores 8/10 on IMBD.
Meet the Parents (2000)
While the sequels could never quite meet its standards “Meet the Parents” created a perfect pairing with stars Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro. Ben stars as nurse Greg Focker wanting to propose to his girlfriend but needing to get the approval of her parents first. Robert De Niro is the “tougher than leather” dad who doesn’t like Greg and his constantly undermining and mocking his prospective son-in-law. While it leans a little hard into slapstick at times it is the back and forth between the 2 leads that provide the most laughs.
27 Dresses (2008)
Anyone who’s always a bridesmaid and never a bride will relate to this one. Fox 2000 Pictures
In the mid-2000s Katherine Heigl was on track towards being next in line for the “Queen of Rom-coms” title. Unfortunately, some alleged bad behaviour towards fellow castmates halted that run however she did give us a few fun candy popcorn flicks including this little beauty, an anti-wedding wedding film.
Are you a hopeful romantic (romantics need not be hopeless)? Do you love weddings? Would you like to participate in weddings as a vital part of a loving couple’s big day? Talk to us now about becoming a qualified wedding celebrant with the CHC41015 – Certificate IV in Celebrancy.
At Rose Training Australia we pride ourselves on being the number 1 provider of the celebrancy qualification.