In Shakespeare’s comedies, the plays would always end in two or more of the characters getting married. This element distinguished the play from being a tragedy, in that the characters were finally content, with the right mate (after much gender switching and many disguises), and most importantly — in love.
Hollywood just thinks weddings should be funny.
The whole wedding process — from ceremony to reception — is a perfect vehicle to have the most outlandish things happen. And Hollywood takes advantage of it.
Hollywood.com has highlighted a few of the funniest wedding scenes on film.
“Arthur” (1981)
Meet Arthur (Dudley Moore), a poor little 30-something heir to billions, who just wants to drink, be merry, drink some more and, oh yeah, marry someone he doesn’t love, for the sake of the family’s good name or be cut off without a dime. He readily complies until he meets the woman of his dreams, Linda (Liza Minnelli) and decides, at the last possible moment, he will only marry the right woman for him.
In this particular scene, after being beaten up by the father of the ex-bride, Arthur promises Linda that he’ll be a faithful and loving husband if she promises never to put iodine on his face again. And they get to keep the money. It’s a match made in heaven.
“Four Weddings and a Funeral” (1994)
Charles (Hugh Grant) is a tad commitment shy, steering clear of the “I do’s” as much as he can in his personal relationships. And yet, ironically, he is forced to go to the weddings of his friends, time and time again. However, when he meets Carrie (Andie McDowell), it dawns on him that although marriage may not be for him, living happily ever after would work just fine.
In this wonderfully hysterical scene, the slightly confused and very nervous Father Gerard (Rowan Atchinson) must perform his first wedding ceremony for Lydia and Bernard (wedding #2 for Charles, if you’re counting) — and has a very tough time spitting the words out.
Watch Clip!
(Courtesy of PolyGram Filmed Entertainment)
“The Graduate” (1967)
Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) has just graduated from college. Everyone in his life — his parents, his parents’ friends — all have big plans for him, but Ben has no clue on what he wants to do.
This scares him. A lot.
It scares him enough to start a dubious affair with Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft). Yes, that Mrs. Robinson . However, just when Ben has thought he has sunk the lowest, he falls in love with Elaine (Katherine Ross), the beautiful daughter of the — Robinsons. Things do not go very smoothly from here.
From this classic scene, Ben has become more than just mildly obsessed with winning Elaine’s love and races to try and stop her marriage to someone else. Banging on the outer window of the church, moments after the ceremony ends, he screams her name over and over. And with everyone around her screaming and cursing, she finally looks up at him and yells “BEN!” That’s all he needs.
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“Sixteen Candles” (1984)
Samantha (Molly Ringwald) wakes up on her sweet 16 birthday to find out her entire family has forgotten her birthday. It seems that in all the chaos of preparing for Sam’s older sister, Ginny’s (Blanche Baker) impending wedding, Sam’s important milestone has been pushed aside. Needless to say, this upsets Sam, and adding insult to injury, she is also madly in love with the popular hunk of the school, Jake (Michael Schoeffling), who, she thinks, has no idea she is even alive. Well, she’s dead wrong. Jake’s been watching her, too.
But before Sam and Jake can have their own special birthday celebration, Sam has to make it through her sister’s wedding. More importantly, Ginny has to make it through her wedding. In this scene, it seems Ginny took a few pills “to relax” and is having a grand old time traipsing down the aisle. If only all brides could be this carefree.
“The Wedding Singer” (1998)
Let’s take a journey back to the early ’80’s, where Robbie Hart (Adam Sandler) is the world’s best wedding singer. He turns any wedding reception into a truly memorable event, grooving to tunes like, “Rock the Casbah” and “Der Kommissar.” What makes him the best is that he believes wholeheartedly in the sanctity of marriage. In fact, he, himself, is getting married to the woman of his dreams.
Or so he thinks.
When she stands him up at the altar, he views on marriage become a tad skewed. His complete mental breakdown is played out hilariously in this scene, as he throws away all pretenses and tells the bride and groom at the reception exactly what he thinks about love.
Can he be saved? Will he find the soul mate just for him? He may not have to look any further than at the catering waitress, Jules (Drew Barrymore).
