Best Wedding Movies To Watch While Engaged (Psst some were filmed in Chicago)
Congrats on your engagement! Watching wedding-themed movies is a fun way to get into the spirit with you and your sweetie, bridesmaids, or even snuggle up to for some alone time. Here are some classic and fun wedding movies to enjoy while engaged, along with a few interesting tidbits about whether any were filmed in Chicago!
1. My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)
Plot: Julia Roberts stars as a woman who tries to stop her best friend’s wedding, realizing she’s in love with him only when it’s too late.
Chicago Fact: Although this movie doesn’t take place in Chicago, parts of the film were shot there, including scenes at the iconic Chicago Cultural Center. The city’s architecture and vibrant energy are subtly integrated into the movie’s setting.
2. Father of the Bride (1991)
Plot: Steve Martin plays a father who's struggling with the idea of his daughter getting married. It’s a hilarious and heartfelt film about family dynamics and the wedding process.
Related Chicago Fact: This movie was filmed in Los Angeles, but many fans think the house in the film, which is used as the father’s home, has a Midwestern vibe.
3. The Wedding Planner (2001)
Plot: Jennifer Lopez stars as a wedding planner who falls for one of her clients. It’s a lighthearted rom-com with some funny moments and great chemistry.
Chicago Fact: Though set in New York City, many of the wedding planning scenes were filmed in Chicago. The Chicago Riverwalk and other spots in the city made for a picturesque backdrop.
4. Bridesmaids (2011)
Plot: A wild and hilarious take on the wedding experience, focusing on a woman who's struggling to be the maid of honor for her best friend. It’s laugh-out-loud funny and has tons of memorable moments.
Chicago Fact: Parts of Bridesmaids were filmed in Chicago, including some scenes around the Lincoln Park Zoo and Lakeview areas.
5. Runaway Bride (1999)
Plot: Julia Roberts and Richard Gere team up again, but this time for a quirky story about a woman who has left multiple fiancés at the altar.
6. The Proposal (2009)
Plot: Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds star in this rom-com where an uptight book editor forces her assistant to marry her to avoid deportation.
Related Chicago Fact: This one has no Chicago filming, but its snowy Alaska setting could give you a warm feel for the holiday wedding vibes if you’re planning a winter wedding!
7. 27 Dresses (2008)
Plot: Katherine Heigl plays a woman who's been a bridesmaid 27 times but never the bride, and now she's helping her sister plan her wedding to the man she’s secretly in love with.
8. The Wedding Singer (1998)
Plot: Set in the 1980s, Adam Sandler plays a wedding singer who falls in love with a waitress (Drew Barrymore). It’s a charming, nostalgic rom-com that hits all the wedding feels.
Chicago Fact: This movie was shot in several Chicago locations, including The Congress Plaza Hotel, which serves as a backdrop for many of the wedding scenes.
9. Mamma Mia! (2008)
Plot: A fun musical featuring a wedding on a beautiful Greek island, with plenty of songs and drama as a young woman tries to figure out which of her mother’s former lovers is her father.
10. The Vow (2012)
Plot: Based on a true story, Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams star as a couple who must rediscover their love after the wife loses her memory in a car accident.
Chicago Fact: Filming took place in various cities, including Chicago. Some iconic Chicago spots, such as the Museum Campus and Lakeshore Drive, make an appearance.
Fun Chicago Wedding Movie Fact:
If you’re planning a wedding in Chicago, several of these films showcase beautiful cityscapes, historic venues, and local spots that could inspire your own celebration. Plus, the city has a rich history of hosting memorable movie weddings—so you might just be following in the footsteps of rom-coms when it’s time to say “I do”.
Enjoy your movie night (and wedding planning)!
