Weddingbee Blog

Fiction sometimes has a way of weaving into reality. Culturally speaking, the fake world of movies has kick-started major trends in the real world. A young Sweet Cream vaguely remembers what Flashdance did to the ’80s. After Alicia Silverstone jumped off that cliff with her navel pierced, she had girls everywhere running to get a pair of knee highs and holding up their fingers telling their parents, “Whatever!” after Clueless hit the big screen. And then there’s Sex and the City. I realize that the small-screen version was first (and better?), but starting trends? Inspiration? Need I say more?

I have always been a sucker for romance, fashion, and the gorgeous cinematic enjoyment of the silver screen. And while I wasn’t a girl who dreamed of her big day since she was a little girl, for one reason or another, before there was a ring on my finger, there were some big-screen brides who made my non-wedding-swooner self, well…swoon.

Their Scottish vows: I will love you my whole life. You and no other. Short. Sweet. So So Perfect. / Image via Home Videos (from Braveheart)

Probably the least glitzy bride known to the big screen, Braveheart’s Murron is a breathtaking one at that. When she and William get married in a secret ceremony with only one witness, I DIE. There she is in all her bridal beauty with nobody to enjoy it but her true love. And it is absolute perfection.

Reese seriously rocks this birdcage…before the birdcage even flew onto the scene making such a strong comeback! / Image via Perfect Postage (from Sweet Home Alabama)

When Melanie Smooter comes down the aisle to marry the man who later became known as the hottest doctor on prime-time TV, I couldn’t believe my eyes. That veil! It was love at first sight! Again, I was not a girl to plan her wedding, but this high school senior knew she had to have one on her big day…

Image via Bridal Dresses Photos (from Bride Wars)

Image via Coral’s Bridal Blog (from MamaMia!)

Image via EW (from 27 Dresses)

All of these dresses caught my eye during whatever romantic comedy I was watching with my female friends (I couldn’t drag Mr. Sweet Cream to see Bride Wars!) and made me want borrow them from the leading ladies on my wedding day. I especially loved the dress that Amanda Seyfried wore in MamaMia! Bees—do you know that this dress doesn’t even exist in the real world!? That breaks my bridal heart just a bit, I have to admit.

While nothing in our wedding so far is inspired by the big screen, some brides have movies serve as stunning inspiration. Big Fish, Marie Antoinette, and Eat, Pray, Love are spectacular examples of sources for beautiful scenes, props, costumes, and stories.

Inspiration board via Green Wedding Shoes / Tree via Trekearth / Daffodils via Design*Sponge / Dress via J. Mendel / Popcorn via Eringuon / Lights via Gabriel Ryan Photography / Suit via Big Fish / Keys via Brandon Kidd Photography / Invite via Royal Steamline (on Flickr)

Inspiration Board via WedShare Daily / Top Row: Reception tables via Wedding By Color / Cake via Magnolias, Marriage, and Manhattan / Chandelier via Flickr Second Row: Teapot with cupcakes via Wedding By Color / Bride in duchess satin ball gown via JLMCouture / Triple-dipped pretzels via Babushka Bakery on Flickr Third Row: Candied apples via Babushka Bakery on Flickr / Macarons via Nature Study / Petit fours via Wedding By Color / Black and white floor via Flickr / Desserts via Flickr Fourth Row: Chair with bouquet by Wedding By Color / Bridesmaids via Flickr / Pink shoes via La Vie En Rose Blog

Inspiration board via Wedding Nouveau / Couple at table via Max Wanger / Eat Pray Love book via Onada Photography / Woman in hanging Balinese chair via Style Files / Wildflower centerpiece via Jose Villa / Invitation via Betsy White / Pillows via World Market / Heart-shaped page via Sarah Moldovan on Etsy / Aromatherapy candles via Charlotte Bradley/ Bride via Vogue India (Dress by YSL) / Shelves and flowers via Jose Villa / Bed by Pia Ulin

Sigh! All that gorgeous big-screen inspiration has me all weak in the knees.

Even though we didn’t go this way, I think that inspiration from beautiful cinematic settings is such an amazing place to start.

Did you see any bridal beauty in a flick that you flipped over? Is your dress inspiration taken from a certain motion picture? Are you having a wedding inspired by a movie that you just wish you could have been an extra in?