Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

The Big Wedding (2013) movie poster

Plot Summary

The Big Wedding (2013) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 89 min · English
JustWatch #13,164 12
Directed by
Justin Zackham
Starring
Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton, Topher Grace, Amanda Seyfried, Katherine Heigl
Budget
$35M

When their son’s bride reveals her strict parents disapprove, long-divorced couple Don and Ellie must pretend to still be married. Facing a hilarious weekend filled with eccentric friends and family, they navigate their complicated history while trying to convince everyone they are the perfect couple. The charade tests their ability to laugh, love, and confront the realities of their past relationship in this heartwarming comedy.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like The Big Wedding
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Big Wedding (2013)

Where can you watch The Big Wedding? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on The CW, Xumo Play and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in The Big Wedding: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of The Big Wedding (2013) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

Don, played by Robert De Niro, and Ellie, portrayed by Diane Keaton, were once a devoted couple in New England, enjoying twenty years of marriage before they ultimately separated. Together, they raised three children: Lyla, a character played by Katherine Heigl, Jared, represented by Topher Grace, and Alejandro, their adopted son from Colombia, whose role is taken by Ben Barnes.

As Alejandro's wedding day approaches, Ellie revisits Don's house, only to unexpectedly encounter Bebe, played by Susan Sarandon, who has been Don's girlfriend for eight years and was once Ellie’s close friend. The awkward reunion is further complicated when Ellie finds herself startled by Bebe's advances. Meanwhile, the couple prepares for Alejandro's upcoming nuptials with his fiancée, Missy, portrayed by Amanda Seyfried, during a meeting with Father Moinighan, played by Robin Williams. Tensions rise when Alejandro learns that his biological mother, Madonna (Patricia Rae), plans to attend, stirring feelings of turmoil as his family's unconventional status challenges his mother's devout Catholic beliefs.

During a tender moment, Lyla confides in her brother Jared about her struggles with motherhood, revealing her own separation while he grapples with his own virginity, waiting for the right partner. The weight of family expectations really hits Alejandro as he learns that his mother might not accept the reality of his family dynamic, prompting a request for Ellie and Don to act as a couple for the next three days. This leads to Bebe's evident frustration. Once Alejandro's mother arrives with his biological sister, Nuria (Ana Ayora), family interactions further complicate relationships, especially when Nuria shows interest in Jared.

A chaotic dinner ensues, with unexpected roles—like Bebe as their waitress—leading to humorous yet tense situations. As family secrets unearth, drama unfolds with flirtations and unexpected intimacy, forcing Ellie to confront her past with Madonna in a reflective walk through the woods. The wedding day brings more drama when secrets are revealed and tensions escalate, including a confrontation between Don and Bebe, which ends with a punch. Amid the chaos, Missy and Alejandro decide to elope to escape the pressures of the familial expectations.

The wedding reception becomes a hotbed of revelations and reconciliations, with Jared and Nuria engaging in a passionate encounter, while Ellie and Bebe mend their friendship, only for Don to surprise everyone by proposing to Bebe right there and then.

As the events draw to a close, the dynamics within the family evolve significantly; Lyla reconciles with her husband, Andrew, and Alejandro’s mother forgives him when confronted with her own romantic history. In a humorous twist, just before the credits roll, it is revealed that Lyla has named her daughter Jane, adding another layer of chaos to their already vibrant family tree, complete with the admission that both grandmothers are quite eccentric.

Last updated: October 27, 2024 at 16:22

Was this helpful?

Plot questions answered

The Big Wedding Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about The Big Wedding (2013): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why does Alejandro ask Don and Ellie to pretend they're still married?

Alejandro asks his parents to pose as a couple for three days because his biological mother Madonna is devoutly Catholic and struggles to accept his family's unconventional dynamic. He fears that if she learns his parents are divorced, it will cause further conflict and potentially ruin his wedding. The request comes after he learns Madonna plans to attend the ceremony.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the story, Alejandro's turmoil increases when he learns his mother is coming, setting up this request.

  • alejandro wedding parents divorce Madonna catholic
Q2

Why does Alejandro's mother cause tension at the wedding?

Alejandro's biological mother Madonna causes tension because her devout Catholic beliefs conflict with the family's unconventional structure. She struggles to accept that her son was adopted, that his parents are divorced, and that he's marrying someone outside her expectations. Her presence forces the family to hide their true situation.

Foreshadowing: The story establishes early that Alejandro learns his mother plans to attend and is troubled by how she might react to his family dynamic.

  • madonna catholic Alejandro biological mother wedding conflict
Q3

Why do Alejandro and Missy decide to elope?

Alejandro and Missy decide to elope on their wedding day because the chaos and pressures from the family become overwhelming. With tensions escalating, secrets being revealed, and a physical confrontation occurring between Don and Bebe, they choose to leave the ceremony and marry privately to escape the familial drama.

Foreshadowing: The chaotic dinner and escalating tensions throughout the weekend build to this moment of overwhelmed escape.

  • alejandro missy elope wedding day escape family drama
Q4

Why does Don propose to Bebe at the reception?

Don proposes to Bebe at the reception after the emotional chaos of the day forces everyone to confront their true feelings. Having maintained their friendship through the pretend reunion and witnessed Bebe's patience throughout the difficult weekend, Don decides to commit to her publicly in front of the family.

Foreshadowing: Bebe's frustration with the pretend reunion and her eight-year relationship with Don set up this moment of commitment.

  • don propose bebe reception wedding proposal
Q5

What leads to the confrontation between Don and Bebe on the wedding day?

The confrontation between Don and Bebe on the wedding day stems from the accumulated tension of the weekend. Bebe has been frustrated by having to serve as a waitress at the family dinner and by the fact that Don and Ellie are pretending to be a couple. The stress of the day and unresolved feelings culminate in a physical altercation where Don punches Bebe.

Foreshadowing: Bebe's role as the waitress and her evident frustration during the chaotic dinner hint at the brewing conflict.

  • don bebe punch confrontation wedding day fight
Q6

Why do Jared and Nuria have a romantic encounter at the reception?

Jared and Nuria share a passionate encounter at the reception because Nuria showed romantic interest in Jared when she arrived with her mother. Throughout the family interactions, this attraction builds, culminating in them connecting during the chaotic reception festivities.

Foreshadowing: When Alejandro's mother arrives with his biological sister Nuria, it's noted that Nuria expresses interest in Jared.

  • jared nuria reception romance attraction
Q7

Why does Lyla reconcile with her husband Andrew?

Lyla reconciles with her husband Andrew during the wedding events after she confided to her brother Jared about her struggles with motherhood and her separation. The emotional weight of the family gathering and perhaps seeing the importance of commitment at the wedding helps them work through their issues.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Lyla confides in Jared about her marital struggles, revealing her separation from Andrew.

  • lyla andrew reconciliation husband marriage
Q8

Why does Alejandro's mother forgive him by the end of the movie?

Alejandro's mother forgives him when confronted with her own romantic history. The story reveals that she had also experienced complicated relationships and perhaps even made similar choices in her past. This realization helps her understand and accept Alejandro's situation, leading to forgiveness.

Foreshadowing: The tension between Madonna and the family builds throughout the story until this confrontation forces her to reflect on her own life.

  • madonna forgives alejandro mother forgiveness family
Q9

Why is Bebe frustrated about the pretend reunion?

Bebe is frustrated about the pretend reunion because she has been Don's girlfriend for eight years and was once Ellie's close friend. Being asked to step aside so the family can pretend to be whole again, while she serves as a waitress and watches her partner pose with his ex-wife, is emotionally painful for her.

Foreshadowing: Ellie's surprise encounter with Bebe at Don's house establishes the awkward tension between the three of them.

  • bebe don girlfriend frustrated pretend marriage ellipse
Q10

What is the significance of Lyla naming her daughter Jane?

The reveal that Lyla named her daughter Jane is played as a humorous twist just before the credits roll, adding another layer of chaos to the family's already vibrant dynamics. It serves as a comedic callback to the eccentric nature of both grandmothers, wrapping up the film on a light-hearted note.

Foreshadowing: The story mentions Lyla as a mother struggling with motherhood and her separation, establishing she has a daughter.

  • lyla daughter jane name newborn ending credits

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Big Wedding, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Big Wedding tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Chaotic Family Comedies like The Big Wedding

A high-stakes family gathering spirals into hilarious chaos and heartfelt connection. If you liked the hilarious and hectic family dynamics of The Big Wedding, you'll enjoy these movies. They feature fast-paced stories about families forced together by an event, leading to comedic chaos, awkward revelations, and ultimately heartwarming endings.

  • humorous
  • chaotic
  • awkward
  • heartwarming
  • lighthearted
  • family
  • Tone: light, humorous, heartwarming
  • Pacing: fast, event-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically revolves around a central event like a wedding or holiday that forces a dysfunctional or estranged family together. The plot is driven by a series of comedic set-pieces, misunderstandings, and character clashes that escalate the chaos, culminating in a crisis point that leads to confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together by their shared focus on event-driven family chaos, a light and humorous tone that prevents the drama from becoming heavy, and a fast pace that keeps the energy high and the laughs coming, all while building to a satisfying, happy conclusion.

Fake Relationship Comedies like The Big Wedding

A romantic charade leads to unexpected complications and genuine emotional rediscovery. Looking for movies with a fake relationship premise like in The Big Wedding? This list features comedies where characters pretend to be a couple, leading to hilarious situations, awkward moments, and the inevitable stirring of real emotions for a fun and romantic ride.

  • romantic
  • humorous
  • awkward
  • lighthearted
  • deception
  • rediscovery
  • Tone: light, romantic, humorous
  • Pacing: steady to fast
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot is built around a central deception where characters agree to pretend to be in a relationship. This setup creates continuous comedic tension as they must maintain the facade under increasing scrutiny. The narrative arc follows the characters as the pretense forces intimacy and conversation, often rekindling old flames or sparking new ones, leading to a climax where the truth is revealed and real feelings are confessed.

Why they belong together: This thread connects movies through a specific comedic premise that blends romance and situational humor. They share a light tone, moderate complexity from maintaining the deception, and a focus on the emotional payoff of characters discovering authentic love through a fabricated scenario.

If you liked this

Movies Like The Big Wedding

Similar movies to The Big Wedding: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

The Big Wedding (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Big Wedding in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app