Don’t get married like in the films

TEXT BY CHARLOTTE SIGNELL AND SOFIA SANDIN

Bröllopsguiden has watched a few films to compile a list of the mistakes you absolutely must not make at your wedding.

A lavish wedding does not guarantee happiness
In Sofia Coppola’s 18th-century drama *Marie Antoinette*, Marie Antoinette (Kirsten Dunst) marries the King of France and her life of luxury begins. She spends every penny on stunning dresses and pastries, and is fed chocolate pralines by her ladies-in-waiting. Despite this, she is deeply unhappy, has no sex life and is hated by the people. Watch the film and be inspired by the stunning décor, the gorgeous floral arrangements and the to-die-for cakes, but bear in mind that marriage isn’t about spending as much money as possible – it’s about marrying for love.

Your wedding isn’t a Miss Universe contest
In *In Her Shoes*, Rose (Toni Collette) cuts off contact with her troublesome sister Maggie (Cameron Diaz) after she seduces Rose’s boyfriend. Despite this, Rose soon meets a new man and, with an engagement ring on her finger, she becomes a bundle of nerves with low self-esteem, fearing she isn’t good enough. She threatens her stepmother with a knife after being teased about her weight, bickers with her perfect fiancé, gets completely drunk at her friend’s wedding and wallows in cynical remarks. On the other hand, she does an absolutely brilliant job with her barbecue buffet at the wedding.

Don’t let anyone ruin your happiness
In Wes Anderson’s *The Royal Tenenbaums*, Eli (Owen Wilson), who is opposed to his mother’s wedding, to ruin it by crashing into the house in a car whilst wearing war make-up, destroying all the wedding preparations and running over the dog. On top of that, the groom falls down the stairs, so the wedding is called off. Don’t let any bitter, gloomy people ruin your day.

Marry for love, and not because he has ‘it all’. ‘You
can’t ride two horses at once’ is the advice Reese Witherspoon receives in *Sweet Home Alabama* when she’s struggling to choose between her childhood sweetheart and the guy who has it all. Make sure you’ve come to terms with your past before you walk down the aisle. Whether someone has money, charm, good looks and the right surname matters less when it comes to him being Mr Right.

Not everything is allowed
In Tim Burton’s lovely stop-motion film *Corpse Bride*, the main character literally walks over a dead body to get what she wants: a new groom. The fact that he’s alive and already engaged, and that she’s dead and lives in the underworld, is of little consequence.

Don’t choose your fiancé’s ex as a bridesmaid at the wedding
In *My Best Friend’s Wedding*, Jules (Julia Roberts) does everything she can to sabotage things when her best male friend and ex meets Kimmy (Cameron Diaz), the woman of his life. She drags her off to a karaoke bar and forces her to sing against her will, pretends to get engaged to her gay friend to make the groom jealous, sends fake emails and snogs him. Don’t repeat her mistakes. Otherwise, the film is absolutely wonderful, with lots of lovely songs, romance and great actors.