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3 ways movies lie to us about weddings

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Image credit: New Line Cinema/IMDB
Image credit: New Line Cinema/IMDB

Like most fun things in life, we tend to watch movies for the sheer escapism of it. 

We know that what the screen projects is often not a reflection of what happens in our daily lives, but many of us happily choose to suspend our disbelief because it allows us to become more immersed in the story. 

I mean, imagine watching a TV series or movie and nit-picking constantly because something is unrealistic? It does not make for a fun or leisurely time. 

Of course that doesn’t mean we can’t notice ridiculous things that movies and series perpetuate. Certain tropes have been done to death, and we wish Hollywood would be a bit more creative.

I’m talking about car chases in action movies, women running in the woods in their underwear in horror movies and couples kissing in the rain in romcoms. 

...movies that depict these over the top weddings are ones where a) budgets are non-existent and b) usually showcasing a feminine ideal that not everyone relates to.

It’s often unpractical, usually unbelievable and rarely does anything for character growth or plot. And yet it is so ingrained in our consciousness that we just accept it as normal. Weird, right? 

Today I want to talk about the biggest lies and misconceptions movies project about weddings: 

Your future in laws will hate you 

Movies examples:  Father of the Bride, Monster in Law, Meet the Fockers 

We’re not saying that there aren’t instances where people don’t really get along with their prospective in-laws, but movies like Father of the Bride and Monster in Law take it to the extreme, showcasing the ridiculous lengths that people would go through to not only ruin the couple’s relationship, but also to sabotage their wedding plans.

And then, as this article in Brides.com states, to add insult to injury everything is quickly tied up in a neat little bow at the end, and happily families are played by all for seemingly no reason. Despite the screaming matches and mutual hatred and terrible things the characters have done.

The best weddings are the most glamorous ones

Movie examples: Bride Wars, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, Sweet Home Alabama, Jumping the Broom, and Sex and the City to mention but a few.

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that not every bride wants a wedding that’s all glitz and glam, and yet most wedding romcoms depict brides-to-be as obsessive, detail-orientated fashionistas whose one goal is to have the wedding to beat all weddings.

Sure, there’s nothing wrong with wanting this kind of wedding (especially if you have the budget for it), but the reality is that the movies that depict these over the top weddings are ones where a) budgets are non-existent and b) usually showcasing a feminine ideal that not everyone relates to.

The one movie I appreciate for showing both sides of the coin, is Sex and the City – where Carrie’s big to-do and Vera Wang dress showed that sometimes, when the details become bigger than the forthcoming marriage, everything can implode in a moment.

Luckily for Carrie and her Mr Big, everything worked out for them in a simple ceremony at court, where Carrie didn’t even where a designer outfit.

Read more: This couple did the WORST thing you could do at someone else's wedding

You can leave your partner at the aisle for someone else (with little to no consequence)

Movie examples:  Four Weddings and a Funeral, Runaway Bride, The Wedding Singer

Firstly, the idea that people will wait until the day of their wedding (which they’ve spent so much money on) to end a relationship is a bit unrealistic.

We’re not saying it doesn’t happen, and we’re not saying that it isn’t sometimes for a good reason. We are saying that when this happens, there will be awful real-life consequences. 

Can you imagine the actual hurt, drama and embarrassment it will cause? The snubbed party will not be forgiving or accepting and neither will the family. And you will end up with a huge bill, and in America – probably a court case. 

What are some wedding movie tropes that annoy you? Share them with us on Twitter or Facebook.


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