It’s wedding season! That beautiful time of year when spring is in full bloom and “I do” is in the air. Whether you’re the bride, groom, mother-in-law, maid of honor or ring bearer, you need to get excited for the big day!
I have the perfect wedding gift for you: something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue—Reel Inspiration!
Something Old—Much Ado About Nothing (PG-13, 1993)
What could be older and more romantic than Shakespeare? Oscar-nominated director Kenneth Branaugh’s adaptation of the Bard of Avon’s comedic play won’t disappoint. Two young, engaged lovers spend the time leading up to their wedding plotting to get two of their strong-willed and sharp-tongued feuding friends to fall in love. The film features an all-star cast that includes Denzel Washington, Emma Thompson, Kate Beckinsale, Keanu Reeves and Michael Keaton.
Something New—Bride Wars (PG, 2008)
This film is hot off the DVD presses just in time for wedding season. Two best friends—played by Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway—share the dream of having a June wedding at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Then they both get engaged at the same time, and run to the hottest wedding planner in town. But after a scheduling mix-up, they find out they’re scheduled to be married on the same day! Best friends suddenly become raging bridezillas out to ruin each other’s big day. Most of this movie is an example of what not to do for your nuptials, but there are a few inspiring moments of true friendship that any bride would want to share with her maid of honor.
Something Borrowed—Father of the Bride (PG, 1991)
Go to your local video store or log onto Netflix and rent (a.k.a. borrow) this inspiring film about a dad (Steve Martin) who has trouble accepting the fact that his little girl (Kimberly Williams) is getting married. It’s a funny, poignant and somewhat realistic story about family, marriage and a few laughs at Dad’s expense. The film is actually a remake of the original 1950 film starring Spencer Tracey and Elizabeth Taylor.
Something Blue—My Big Fat Greek Wedding (PG, 2001)
How about a Greek Flag? You’ll see a lot of them in this movie. If you have a big, quirky and fabulous family, you’ll definitely get a kick out of it. A lonely, single gal with a huge Greek family finally lands the (non-Greek) man of her dreams. When they decide to get married, the whole affair turns into a roller coaster ride of culture shock, family parties and ouzo (opa!). It’s an uplifting film with a great message for everyone in your wedding party.
Wait, there are just a few more things to do before the wedding!
Meeting the Parents—Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967)
Brides, grooms, parents and friends can all draw inspiration from this ground-breaking classic, starring Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracey and Sidney Poitier. Hepburn and Tracey (who died shortly after filming) play a couple whose daughter suddenly announces that she’s getting married, and her fiancé (Poitier) is African-American. As they prepare a dinner party to welcome him to the family, they struggle with the implications of a mixed-race marriage at the height of the Civil Rights movement.
The Honeymoon—Honeymoon in Vegas (PG-13, 1992)
You won’t feel quite so stressed about the wedding after you see how hectic and hilarious this movie is. It’s the tale of a beautiful bride (Sarah Jessica Parker), a groom with cold feet (Nicolas Cage), a wealthy gambler trying to keep them from tying the knot (James Caan) and a bunch of flying Elvises.
