One year after the charming Tom Solomon, portrayed by Chris Pratt, met the brilliant Violet Barnes, brought to life by Emily Blunt, he decides to surprise her with a stunning engagement ring. His plan is straightforward yet elaborate: as they set out for a festive New Year's Eve party, he concocts a reason to stop by his workplace. The picturesque staff patio at the trendy Birch, which boasts a breathtaking view of San Francisco's Bay Bridge, serves as the perfect backdrop for his proposal. Amidst flickering candles and chilled champagne, with his best friend Alex in on the secret, Tom is understandably anxious. However, their tardiness to the party leads to tensions, and in a moment of frustration, he inadvertently reveals his intention, leading to their unexpected engagement!
On the surface, it seems that Tom and Violet are poised for a fairytale ending. As a sous chef at Birch, Tom stands on the brink of modernist culinary success and is ripe for promotion. Meanwhile, Violet is passionately entrenched in academia, on the verge of landing a coveted post-doctoral position in social psychology at UC Berkeley. With her capable nature, she takes charge of wedding planning, anticipating a beautiful marriage in the near future.
However, the search for the ideal wedding venue turns into a daunting task, only to be overshadowed by Violet's disappointing rejection from her dream school. When the opportunity arises for her at the University of Michigan, she faces a tough decision. Supporting her ambitions, Tom sets aside his pride, encouraging her to seize the chance, assuring her that he can adapt and work in Michigan while postponing their wedding.
Once in Ann Arbor, Violet flourishes under the guidance of esteemed professor Winton, quickly forming friendships with her fellow graduate students, including Doug, Vaneetha, and Ming. On the other hand, Tom finds himself with an abundance of free time, leading him to take a job at Zingerman's Deli, a beloved local eatery that represents a stark contrast to his fine dining roots. He forges a bond with his co-worker Tarquin and, under the influence of other faculty spouses like Bill, even takes up hunting.
Back in San Francisco, Alex secures the promotion that Tom had once hoped for and enters into marriage with Violet's quirky sister, Suzie, swiftly starting a family with two kids. As they watch others seemingly glide through life, Tom and Violet are still without a wedding date, weighed down by the comedic misadventures that disrupt every attempt at scheduling their nuptials. As they grapple with the question of whether they are meant to be together, these two once hopeful individuals will navigate the humorous ups and downs of their relationship during the course of their five-year engagement, ultimately discovering if their love can withstand the test of time.
