Whether through over-the-top church affairs or intimate, vows in the swamp, these iconic films showed us the elegance and extravagance of Southern weddings. They also taught us some valuable lessons. Below G&G editors share their takeaways from their favorite fictional nuptials.
Steel Magnolias
Of the many life lessons Shelby models throughout the iconic 1989 film Steel Magnolias, one stands out above the rest: Do what makes you happy—especially at your wedding. If pink is your “signature color,” deck the bridesmaids, church, and reception tent in both blush and bashful. Let your soon-to-be aunt-in-law make a red-velvet armadillo groom’s cake. The morning of your wedding, invite the town’s new beautician assistant to the party and loan her a dress. Your wedding should be one of your very happiest days, and life’s too short not to take full advantage of that. —Caroline Sanders Clements, senior editor
Father of the Bride
The vine-covered house that launched a thousand backyard weddings may be located in Southern California, but actors Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Steve Martin have strong Southern ties (Williams-Paisley lives near Nashville, while Martin hails from Waco, Texas, and owns a home in Brevard, North Carolina), so we’re claiming this classic 1991 comedy as our own. Lord knows it’s packed with life lessons: Do wear comfortable shoes. Don’t gift your fiancée a blender. Do embrace your fahhhhhbulous side. Don’t host your wedding anyplace with the word “pit” in its name. Do cherish the moment—it all goes by so fast. And above all, don’t sweat the superfluous buns. —Elizabeth Florio, digital editor
The Birdcage
This 1996 comedy, set in the glam glory of gay South Beach, is what kids today might call a “problematic fave.” Robin Williams and Nathan Lane are hilarious and terrifically endearing as longtime couple Armand, a nightclub owner, and Albert, his star drag queen. After their son, Val, gets engaged to an uber conservative senator’s daughter, a hilarious hell breaks loose when the two young people convene their polar-opposite parents to meet before the wedding. Though some of the movie’s stereotypes have aged poorly, the messages at the end remain timeless and heart-touching: Don’t ever be ashamed of who you are or who you love. —Amanda Heckert, executive editor
Sweet Home Alabama
An obvious takeaway from this 2002 romantic comedy is: “You can’t ride two horses with one ass, Sugar Bean.” Melanie, played by Reese Witherspoon, must decide if she should stay married to her childhood love, Jake, or wed the affluent city boy, Andrew. While shutting down Tiffany’s so you can pick out your dream engagement ring is a nice gesture, if you have to lie to keep him around (by, say, not telling him your real last name or that you are, in fact, still married to your high school sweetheart), then he’s not the one for you. This film taught us to be true to ourselves—and to other people, too. —Caroline Zollinger, print editorial intern
The Princess and the Frog
Tiana went through hell and high water (well, swamp water) to transform herself from frog to human, but the most joyous moment of the 2009 Disney classic was by far the wedding between her and Prince Naveen. Still in frog form, the two were married in the lush bayous near New Orleans, their kiss breaking the spell and restoring them back to their human bodies. So, on the big day, it doesn’t really matter where you are, what you’re wearing, or what you look like (even if that’s green and slimy!). All that matters is marrying the person you love and being surrounded by those who love you. ––Danielle Wallace, editorial assistant
Forrest Gump
In the 1994 blockbuster, Forrest and Jenny’s sweet Alabama backyard ceremony is one we all shed a tear over. After many years of friendship, the birth of a son, and a terminal illness, the two decide that there’s nothing more they want to do with the little time they have left than spend it together. With Jenny in her white, prairie-style wedding dress and Forrest in a simple suit, they say “I do” in front of about twenty people—including Lieutenant Dan, with his “magic legs” and his new fiancée. They remind us that life and love can be hard (and you never know what you’re going to get), but when you love someone deeply, it’s really quite simple. —Kristen Roberts, social media intern
