Movie Themed Nuptials, Faux Pas?
Dec 14, 2009
Given past backlash, I think I need to accept that weddings are the third rail when it comes to content on this blog. However, this question needed to be posed to the masses because I am desperate to understand. Why would anyone have a movie themed wedding?
In the 1970s, my aunt had a ‘Sound of Music’ themed wedding (don’t ask), but as I understand it that was my grandmother’s fault. In the 1980s, a former boss had a ‘Pretty in Pink’ themed wedding. And I have just been informed that next year, a friend from graduate school is having a ‘Sex and the City’ themed wedding. While the theme is not official, the wedding details make it pretty clear to anyone who has seen the movie what the bride is planning.
First off, the bride has asked all of the bridesmaids to forego presents and instead, chip in to purchase her wedding shoes (the blue Louboutins Manolos at left). Look familiar? The ceremony is being held at the New York Public Library with a reception at a SoHo loft festooned in more pink than a Pepto-Bismol ad.
The bride’s gown is a dead-ringer for the Vivienne Westwood worn in the movie. The bridesmaids are wearing coordinating (but not identical) royal blue, red and black dresses. The flower-girl is carrying a rented Judith Leiber cupcake bag instead of flowers. And did I mention that she is changing into a strapless pink gown for the reception?
The bride (who is a lovely person) claims that this is nothing more than a series of startling coincidences, but I’m not so sure. One thing would be a coincidence. Two things would be uncanny. Her wedding details are positively, undeniably themed.
As for the business of movie themed weddings as a whole, they are much more common than I thought possible. Apparently there are “Shrek” themed weddings, “Pirates of the Carribean” themed weddings, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” themed weddings, and weddings that just have a generic movie theme. Disney Princesses themed weddings are so popular they make wedding gowns just for that occasion.
And as you might imagine, these themes aren’t relegated just to the silver screen. Weddings inspired by The Notebook and Pride and Prejudice also abound. While I have no verification of this, my neighbor claims to once have attended a wedding with a Beatles cover band and a Fab Four inspired theme.
I am slightly horrified by these movie themed weddings, but mostly, I’m perplexed. Maybe this is because I’ve never loved a movie or book so much that I would theme my wedding in its guise, or maybe it’s because my mother would probably kill me if I suggested such a thing. Either way, I just don’t get it. But it’s possible that my natural snobbery is getting the best of me, and that there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a themed wedding/reception.
So, I ask you: What is the verdict on movie theme weddings? A great way to make your special day memorable or a faux pas that will haunt you for life? Please open the discussion in the comments.
Also, before you rip into me, I should mention that I have the bride’s permission to post this. She intends to fight back later in the comments. Love you, MCC!
What’s especially awkward about this is that Big LEFT CARRIE AT THE ALTAR! I’m hoping that this wedding isn’t COMPLETELY styled after Sex and the City.
Yuck. Another example of me showing my age perhaps, but this seems really juvenile to me. Women do this, "I’ve been dreaming of my wedding my whole life" routine, and this just seems like more childish fantasy. Too much focus on the wedding on not enough on the marriage.
I adore Ocean’s 11, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Harry Potter, but making my wedding revolve around one of these themes makes it seem to me like you’re trying to take your Junior Prom into one of the biggest days of your life. Having themed parties and dances is one thing, but I’d never want to take them with me down the aisle.
If you are still getting your jollies on theme parties, you are probably too young or immature to be getting married.
My mind, like cia’s, went straight to the fact that Big left Carrie when they intended to marry at the library, in her dress, etc. And if I”m not mistaken, Carrie didn’t wear the blue shoes to the library, they were in the penthouse at the time….small details, but still…Carrie got ditched in this wedding scenario and all I would be able to think about as a guest to this wedding is that particular scene of the movie, which if I were the bride, I wouldn’t want my even one of my guests to correlate my wedding to something like that.
BTW — the shoes are Manolos not Louboutins.
Weird.. definitely. And coincidence? Doubt it. But who cares? Only 2 people matter in this decision process.
Let’s just hope the flower girl doesn’t steal the bride’s cell and hide it in her cupcake purse when Mr. Big really needs to talk to her! And lastly, I hope they didn’t plan their honeymoon in Mexico.
Movie inspired, okay, movie themed….well…. Personally, I think it’s kinda tacky, but then again, I’m not the one spending the thousands of dollars on it. It’s the wedding couple’s special day, not mine, so I’m not going to pick a fight with someone about the potential tackiness of their ceremony. I just hope they have an open bar.
I don’t get this at all. Weddings already HAVE a theme – love. Love plus movies? Sounds like a prom to me
A bunch of my friends from University and I all dressed up as Disney Princesses one halloween and keep up on Princess news as a joke. I nearly died laughing when I saw the wedding dresses – have you seen the rings they make too??
I think you should save the costumes, role playing or themes for the honeymoon 😉
I think it’s really tacky that she asked her bridesmaids for money in lieu of a gift.
I’m with PrepSchool and KH. This is theater, not a reasonable start to what should be a fulfilling adult life. And if you can’t pay for your own shoes, choose another pair. If you’re looking to Santa, or to mummy or daddy, or your bridesmaids to float the cost, you’re thinking like a five-year-old – and selfishly. Sounds like someone has a little growing up to do.
Call me old-fashioned, but somehow I think a wedding should be personal. You know, as if it is something intimate, and personally relevant to the couple. And by "couple" I do mean BOTH partners.
I was not the biggest fan of the last wedding post (disagreed in principle but it was still correct), but this one – well, this one is dead on. DiItto all the points above, and where is the groom in all of this? Not that they usually give a flying-whatever as to what happens at the wedding, but sacrificing a gift to the couple for a gift to only the bride that she’ll wear once? Not that hubby really wants a silver platter, but he might like a great beer pitcher w/ mugs, a grill, or some plates that say successful instead of thrift store.