The film chronicles the escapades of a group of friends through the perspective of Charles, a charming yet socially awkward Englishman portrayed by Hugh Grant. He finds himself enamored with Carrie, an alluring American played by Andie MacDowell, whom he keeps encountering at various weddings, leading to comedic and heartfelt moments.
The saga begins with the wedding of Angus and Laura, where Charles serves as the best man. Amidst the celebrations, he meets Carrie for the first time, leading to an unexpected night together where she playfully suggests they must now marry. Yet, she departs for America, leaving Charles to ponder the lost opportunity.
Next comes the wedding of Bernard and Lydia, where hysterical mishaps ensue, thanks in part to a clumsy priest played by Rowan Atkinson. Charles’s excitement turns to dismay when Carrie introduces him to her fiancé, Sir Hamish Banks, a wealthy Scotsman. Seated with ex-girlfriends at the reception, Charles is bombarded with tales of his past romantic blunders. Later, he finds himself stuck in an empty hotel suite, a comical encounter leading him to confront his fears of intimacy as he runs into Duckface, a former flame. As the night unfolds, Charles and Carrie fortuitously reunite, providing them both with a brief escape from reality.
Several months pass before Charles receives an invite to Carrie’s wedding in Scotland. As he shops for a gift, chance brings them together again, you could almost feel the chemistry lingering as Carrie reveals her history of lovers, with Charles being number thirty-two. His timid attempts to confess his feelings fall flat, ultimately leading him to her wedding day with Hamish at a stunning Scottish castle, where his heart sinks.
At the reception, his friends seize the moment to play matchmaker while Charles wrestles with heartbreak. The situation amplifies when tragedy strikes as Gareth, a dear friend, dies suddenly, followed by Matthew’s touching reading of W. H. Auden’s "Funeral Blues," reminding everyone of their vulnerability in love.
Months later, Charles finds himself on the verge of marrying Henrietta. Just before the ceremony, however, Carrie shows up to share that she is no longer with Hamish. Overwhelmed, Charles confides in his deaf brother, expressing deep-seated doubts. When the vicar inquires if anyone opposes the union, David’s poignant sign language question leaves Charles reevaluating his feelings. In a brave move, Charles declares, "I do," leading to a chaotic halt of the wedding as Henrietta reacts furiously.
In the aftermath, Carrie checks on Charles, who is grappling with the fallout. He boldly declares his true feelings, saying he only ever loved one person—her. In a twist of fate, Charles proposes a lifelong commitment without marriage, asking Carrie if she would consider sharing her life with him in a non-traditional way. With a hopeful "I do," they embark on a new journey together.
As "Going to the Chapel" plays, we see glimpses of love blossoming all around—Henrietta marries a guardsman, Scarlett weds Chester, and friendships flourish, culminating in Charles and Carrie happily parenting their son, seemingly content without the constraints of marriage.
