Top 25 Best Date Night Movies with Wedding Inspiration... Every Genre of Film

After a big day... and maybe even a cute little date night spent wedding planning with my Video Planning Courses (links at the end of the article), you deserve to snuggle up and watch a well loved film. But while your mind is on all things weddings, here's my top list to still get a little inspo while you unwind. 

Genre: Classic Cinema

1. The Godfather

Hear me out. There's nothing more iconic than that opening wedding scene. We meet our characters at Connie's outdoor, backyard, CLASSIC Sicilian wedding. The sequence took 2 weeks to film and involved 300+ extras; many of which were the cast and crew's actual family and friends. 

*Unlucky in love, Connie still has the wedding of the century. In Part II travel to Sicily to see how her brother Michael's wedding differs. 

2. Funny Face

Audrey Hepburn gets a LOT of clout for her portrayal of "let's call it what it is" a deranged cat lady named Holly GoLightly and I'm sorry if this offends you, but Breakfast at Tiffany's is overrated. Meet: the Audrey film the world SHOULD actually be obsessed with. Jo, the philosophy lover becomes a reluctant supermodel to catch a free ride to Paris (relatable). She finds true love and empathicalism. 

*The fashion couldn't be more iconic (the gowns were custom designed by Givenchy himself); 

3. The Sound of Music

One more musical since it's a classic. We spend a lot of time outside in Austria (springtime wedding inspo anyone)? And we get the iconic wedding dress at the end. One of the most famous wedding dresses of all time in fact. This feel good movie is a great one for musical lovers. 

4. The Princess Bride

Before Taylor Swift, this film was genre bending. To quote the film when we ask "are there sports in it?" Grandpa responds "There's Fencing, Fighting, Torture, Revenge, Giants, Monsters, Chases, Escapes, True love, and Miracles..." And (I will add) weddings. Buttercup's fashion is goals as she skulks around her castle. But the true treasure of the film is the combination of satire that makes fun of fairytale love stories while simultaneously being an incredibly well made and satisfying adventure/ romance comedy. 

*By all means run away with the farm boy but also... make it (renaissance) fashion. 

5. Cinderella 

It's a bit girlie of a pick but I'm calling it a "Cinema Classic," because it's one of the only recent live action films from Disney to be shot on film, and you can tell. Besides a few cringy CGI moments, this film looks gorgeous. The plotline is sweet albeit simple. The ball scene is inspiration for a fairytale wedding, as is her ending wedding look. 

*Here's a trick in case you start to loose interest. Take a sip of alcohol every time someone says "Have courage and be kind..." they say it a drinking game amount of times. 

6. Little Women 

I'm calling it classic because this has been made something like 7 times. If you really want a classic, by all means go back to the Winona Ryder and Christian Bale version. Yes, that's right- before Timothée Chalamet there was Batman Christian Bale vying for Jo March's heart. This could easily be classified under my "holiday" genre as well for it's Christmas sequences. But right smack dab in the middle of the film we get Meg's country wedding, and it is a bohemian fantasy worth waiting for. 

Genre: Comedies

7. Wedding Crashers

When it comes to comedies set in the world of weddings... there is no better example than Wedding Crashers. There are so many weddings that they crash, and so many fun oddities they uncover in their sport of perpetual wedding attendance. 

*bridesmaids dress inspiration abounds in this film 

8. Shotgun Wedding

This film came to Netflix quietly and became my number 1 underrated action comedy film regardless of the wedding backdrop. I LOVE a wedding dress transformation. I love Jennifer Lopez. I love Jennifer Coolage. Ok.. I'll stop. This film is as corny and predictable as all high budget action films tend to be. But I have to say, in between explosions, the dialogue is quippy and well delivered, and the editing is sharp. Great for a date night. 

*The dress somehow gets better and better throughout the film... and this is where it starts. 

9. Bride Wars

I hesitated to put this on the list simply because it is a bit more of a girls night in wedding movie. BUT I will keep it here simply because the fiances Chris Pratt and Steve Howe have some lines that are ftb (for the boys). "Why do wedding's get them so worked up?"- Steve Howe, "I dunno, it's like the wrong time to let the guy know you're crazy... not how I would play it." - Chris Pratt :) 

*two girls getting married means two dresses, and two full blown weddings. There is so much wedding inspiration and wedding humor that hits home to a couple planning a wedding. 

10. You, Me and Dupree

Kate Hudson has been quietly comin' for that number one spot over JLow for Wedding Comedy Queen. In this one, you open with her laid back Hawaiian wedding. It's destination wedding goals. 

11. Monster in Law

Oh wait... Jlow is still leading in wedding films... sorry Kate Hudson. This one is a bit slapstick- ey, like literally they slap each other at one point. But Jane Fonda is so great in this! Worth a watch with a willing Fiance or with a group of girlfriends, even with your mom (or mother in law). 

*Mother in laws wearing white to the wedding shouldn't be relatable but I've heard tales... 

12. The Wedding Planner 

We'll round out Jlow's wedding films with this iconic hit. Her and Matthew McConaughey are too good together. And this 90s fashion is taking us back. 

*Lots of weddings appear in this film. Fran's big society wedding juxtaposes Jlow's quiet courthouse gathering. Something for everyone really.   

13. Father of the Bride

A father's commentary on wedding planning. This sweet, snarky, and classic portrayal of the ups and downs of wedding planning is relatable, funny, and great for inspiration.

*Church ceremony followed by a wedding in the family home. The film tracks with the wedding planning so the final product is so rewarding for viewers. 

 14. I love You Man 

This film is seriously funny. "Slappin da bass mawn." It's the perfect witty and silly humor that makes you relax and forget you are actually planning a wedding with this couple. But for those planning a wedding, there are some great wedding moments. 

15. My Best Friend's Wedding 

Heading into our 90s Rom Com sub genre, this is a great film to revisit. Although the message is potentially problematic (is the groom in love with his best friend?), it's Julia Roberts so you kinda let it slide. Cameron Diaz is perfectly cast as well. 

*I'm sorry I'm kinda obsessed with this dress. 

16. Runaway Bride 

You know what, plot line wise, let's give all these 90s films a pass. It's still a hit today to watch. Julia Roberts is so fun, and the many weddings she flees are all kind of slays in their own ways. 

Genre: Action/ Fantasy

17. Star Wars (Episode II)

Admittedly this next genre is more for those who just like Fantasy films like Lord of the Rings. Because if you were to tune in (out of context) to get wedding inspo from Episode II of Star Wars, you may think it's a little light on the wedding, and heavy on the cringy Anikin/ Padme dialogue scenes. And you would be right. But hey, call me a sucker for the destination wedding vibes of Naboo, or the all white fighting getup of that arena sequence, I think there's something to this film, and it's a fun revisit. 

*It's giving... "I truly, and deeply love you"

18. King Arthur

Again, don't come for the wedding, but stay for the wedding (you know what I mean)? This is THE most underrate action fantasy film of all time (in my opinion) and I love the chance to recommend it. The story is a classic one, but Kiera Knightly elevates it entirely with her portrayal of Guinevere. I'm a sucker for the  whole "trading-out-of-your-fighting-leathers-and-into-a-victory-wedding-gown" storyline... slay.

19. Harry Potter 7 (Deathly Hallows Part 1)

Let me warn you now, a LOT of purple in this wedding. Some would argue too much purple in this wedding. In fact, I would argue too much purple; an annoying amount of purple is in this movie. So if you are done with the wedding and want to bounce around, I also recommend some Yule Ball inspo back in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (the 4th film). 

*Just tell your bridesmaids to wear "beauxbaton blue"

20. Twilight (Breaking Dawn Part 1)

Candidly, I'm not a fan of Twilight, or it's fan fiction spin off 50 Shades of Grey. Even me with my jaded little heart couldn't help but admit the wedding in Breaking Dawn was BEAUTIFUL. I loved the continuity of the plot point that a very plain jane Bella had help from her glamorous immortal new relatives to help with her tousled updo and glam makeup look. And listen, the custom made Carolina Herrera wedding dress was both classy, sexy, and clowney? (like it had a circus print on it and someone I was still in love):

*The wedding's design and execution was a thing of dreams, so I'll admit to be a fan of the first half of this film.

Genre: Holiday

21. The Wedding Date

This 90s classic is so cathartic for those who have buldozed by a bridezilla in our past. Debra Messing is all parts relatable, frantic and charming. The English Countryside setting is gorgeous and upscale. A fun revisit for those who want a nice throwback.

*we see you Amy Adams

Genre: Holiday

22. Love Actually 

This holiday classic has a classic church wedding to start the film. I am a big fan of the feathers and the quirky winter wedding, and how the whole film deals with the complexities of love. Their wedding looks below are gorgeous. 

23. Ghosts of Girlfriends Past 

You came here and you thought I was going to recommend you the same old list: Wedding Crashers, and Father of the Bride... ok I did that. But this overall genre of wedding inspiration within films runs deep. Here's a lesser known Christmas classic about weddings! Matthew McConahay is iconic as ever. It's a great date night film especially around the holidays. 

Genre: Horror

To finish off our list here are two last films for my horror film fans... I have to admit it's not me, so there could be more out there. 

24. Ready or Not 

I watched this film through my hands and on a small screen on an airplane. Even though I'm a scaredy cat with horror, I thought it was really well done. It's not going to make you want an "old money" aesthetic, it may not make you want to get married at all. For my hard core horror fans (and anyone who loves Adam Brody), it's worth a watch. 

*Her braid crown is really gorgeous (and functional for her nightmarish late night family gathering) 

25. Kill Bill Volume 1

Light on the wedding. If you are a true fan, it's actually the rehearsal ceremony. But when we meet our Beatrix Kiddo, we see where her need for revenge is fueled from. I'm a Tarantino fan, and this film was the collaboration of Tarantino and Uma Therman who dreamed it up on the set of Pulp Fiction. If you can't take the gore, I get it. But there's some visually stunning sets and cinematography, some incredible camera work, stunts, and storylines. Fair warning that is may steer you away from a ceremony in a barn is all. 

 If you are a couple that loves to sit back and turn on a flick, you'll love our video planning courses. Check out The Comprehensive Guide to Wedding Planning:

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