Real Weddings Inspired by Some of the Best Movies of All Time

By Lauren Pardee
Sweet Memories Photography

Not all of these memorable films took home an Oscar, but they did offer winning ideas for these brides and grooms.

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Sweet Memories Photography

Some of the greatest love stories of all time have unfolded on the big screen—and these romances have led to some of the most iconic matrimonies we've ever seen on film. Sure, these box-office hits and their epic nuptials are fictional narratives dreamt up by screenwriters and novelists, but is it really so wrong to pull inspiration from the sweetest movies as you start planning your own celebration? Even films unrelated to marriage are fair game when planning your big-day. It's your wedding after all, and that means you're the director.

Although it may sound cliché, weddings really can be about living out your own real-life fairy tale. With that in mind, we encourage you to go big when paying tribute to your favorite movie scenes. And if your go-to flick doesn't align with traditional wedding themes, tailor it to do so. Big-day elements like tablescapes, seating charts, and florals, for example, can easily be designed with your favorite film in mind. Plus, you already have visuals to help you on your way. If the movie you have in mind speaks to romance, even better—the planning process may come a little more naturally. Take this stunning Beauty and the Beast-inspired centerpiece, for example. The enchanted rose-filled bell jar, which was created by Rodri Studio, authentically tributes the movie in a way that doesn't feel forced.

So, instead of heading to Pinterest for celebration inspiration, why not take a spin through your Netflix queue instead? As it turns out, it can be just as inspiring.

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Magical Desserts

Nirav Patel
24 Delicious Wedding Cake Alternatives

Harry Potter-themed treats, like potion parfaits, chocolate wands, and lightning bolt-shaped cookies (made by 24 Carrots) were served at a "Honeydukes" dessert table, which was named after the candy store in the film.

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Grandeur Centerpieces

Addison Jones Photography
22 Totally Chic Vintage Centerpieces

This Downton Abbey-inspired venue featured décor commonly seen during the 1920s. Grand centerpieces filled with red and white roses, pink peonies, and cascading greenery by Lowe's Greenhouse were displayed high above these regal tablescapes. When the film debuts later this year, it'll surely inspire plenty of brides- and grooms-to-be.

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Ranch Venue

Jenn Emerling
18 Summer Camp Wedding Venues for Kicking Back and Getting Hitched

Dawn Ranch served as the cottage venue for this wedding, which was loosely based on Dirty Dancing.

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Garden Confection

As Ever Photography
44 Wedding Cakes with Fresh Flowers

In honor of Frances Hodgson Burnett's book-turned-film, The Secret Garden, Cupcakes and Counting created this classic three-tier cake, which was garnished with yellow and white wildflowers and greenery.

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Bewitching Menus

Meghan Savage
The Prettiest Place Settings from Real Celebrations

Moody table settings, featuring spell-inspired menus by The Pretty Paperie, elevated this wedding's Hocus Pocus-themed aesthetic.

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Mirror Seating Charts

Sylvie Gil Photography
Trending Now: Mirrored Wedding Décor

Gold-rimmed mirrors hung on greenery-covered walls—they made for beautiful Snow White-inspired seating charts.

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Hollywood Castle

Nirav Patel Photography
These Are the Wedding Venues Featured in Your Favorite Romantic Comedies

This Harry Potter-loving couple wed in a real-life fortress called the Hollywood Castle, which was reminiscent of Hogwarts.

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Stained-Glass Cake

Sweet Memories Photography
66 Colorful Wedding Cakes

Sucrette Tailored Confections managed to recreate the stained-glass window in Beauty and the Beast in the form of this stunning confection.

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Shakespearean Signs

Kaitlin Powell Photography
28 Unique Ways to Show Off Your Favorite Quotes at Your Wedding

Romeo and Juliet was the inspiration behind this wedding. A quote from the play-turned-film was displayed on the dessert table, thanks to a sign from Judith Brown Calligraphy.

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Icy Confections

Meredith Carlson Photography
36 Winter Wedding Ideas for a Cozy, Festive Fête

Alice Cakes created this wintry cake with purple blooms that played tribute to the movie Frozen.

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Star Wars Altar

Nick and Lauren Photography
35 Altar and Aisle Decorations We Love

This bride and groom created a "Rebel Alliance" backdrop, covered in rusty blooms by Orlando Flower Market, which made for an epic altar at this Star Wars-themed wedding ceremony.

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Wand Celebration

Nirav Patel Photography
24 Creative Wedding Exit Toss Ideas

Guests at this Harry Potter-inspired event waved wands instead of tossing confetti at the end of the ceremony.

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Armadillo Cake

Brooke Images
24 Unique Ideas for the Groom's Cake

Who could forget the armadillo cake from Steel Magnolias? Nana Teresa's Bake Shop created the groom's cake in honor of the red velvet confection seen in the movie.

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Rose Petal Place Cards

Sweet Memories Photography
Wedding Place Cards That Are Truly Unique

These elegant place settings featured rose petal place cards by Rodri Studio; they nodded to the celebration's Beauty and the Beast theme.

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Woodland Desserts

Sarah & Ben
39 Amazing Dessert Tables from Real Weddings

Fantastic Mr. Fox inspired this woodland reception's nature-centric dessert table, which was curated by Ever After Vintage Weddings.

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Puppy Stationery Suite

Vanessa Velez Photography
50 Fresh Summer Wedding Invitations

Blushed Design's invites to this Lady and the Tramp-themed wedding featured watercolor dogs surrounded by roses.

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Garden Table Setting

Violet Short Photography
25 Beautiful Garden Wedding Venues

These Secret Garden table settings featured plenty of elegant references to the movie, thanks to the gold detailing, vintage floral china, and calligraphed leaf place cards.

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Forest-Printed Stationery

Kristy Mackenzie Photography
25 of the Prettiest Green Wedding Invitations

These Wes Anderson fans hinted at their matrimony's theme—which was inspired by both Moonrise Kingdom and the Grand Budapest Hotel—with forest-printed stationery suites by White Cottage Weddings.

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Woodsy Confection

Courtney Clarke Photography
50 Beautiful Wedding Cakes That Are (Almost!) Too Pretty to Eat

This Hunger Games-themed cake by Ooh La La Cupcakes represented elements of the movie through fondant greenery, bow and arrows, and real branch garnishes.

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Thematic Playing Cards

Max Wanger

Playing cards inscribed by the bride in gold with quotes from 007 films were passed out by cocktail servers at this reception.

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Swizzle Sticks

Heather Waraksa
16 Fun Swizzle Sticks to Upgrade Your Signature Drink

Swizzle stick that referenced the Wes Anderson movie Fantastic Mr. Fox upgraded this couple's signature cocktails.  

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Thistle Crown

Meredith Perdue
68 Flower Crown Ideas to Complete Your Wedding Hairstyle

This bride wore a thistle crown by Flora Fauna fashioned after the one donned by Maid Marian in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves to the bonfire that concluded her rustic fall wedding in Maine.

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Bond-Like Escape

Max Wanger
21 "Just Married" Sign and Banner Ideas

These newlyweds accented their retro-glam affair with Bond-worthy martinis and a 007-inspired 1971 Corvette getaway car.

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