Bride Wars 2009

As childhood friends, Emma Allan and Olivia “Liv” Lerner nurtured a shared dream of a picturesque June wedding at the prestigious Plaza Hotel, a fantasy ignited during a chance encounter two decades earlier when they witnessed a wedding in those famed halls.

However, Liv’s life’s path diverged dramatically after the sudden loss of her parents, prompting her to become an ambitious attorney at Ropes & Gray. She found herself in a relationship with Daniel Williams, a charismatic hedge fund manager who seemed to fit perfectly into her new life. On the other hand, Emma, now a dedicated middle school teacher, often placed others’ needs before her own, resulting in an unbalanced relationship with her controlling long-term partner, Fletcher Flemson.

The excitement soared when Liv stumbled upon a Tiffany box hidden in her closet, leading both women to believe that a proposal from Daniel was imminent. Little did they know, it was actually Fletcher who would pop the question that very night. The next day, Liv confronted Daniel at his office only to discover he had similar plans to propose moments later, setting off a chain of misunderstandings.

Soon after, Emma and Liv plunged into the tumultuous world of wedding planning, scheduling meetings with the esteemed wedding planner, Marion St. Claire. Initially, they both booked different June 6 dates, completely oblivious to the fact that they would eventually be vying for the same day. When a third bride, Stacey, refused to change her date, tensions began to rise, leading to a fierce competition.

As the wedding plans advanced, the friendship between Emma and Liv began to unravel. A simple miscommunication—Liv announcing her wedding date prematurely—sent them spiraling into a sea of passive-aggressive behavior. The atmosphere thickened with hostility, as each woman engaged in increasingly petty acts of sabotage.

In their escalating rivalry, the stakes grew higher. Liv attempted to sabotage Emma’s dance instructor, prompting Emma to retaliate by sending Liv ill-fitting candy for her dress. This cycle of revenge spiraled further out of control: Liv turned Emma’s spray tan a garish orange, while Emma changed Liv’s hair dye to a shocking blue. Liv even went so far as to register Emma on Babies R Us, spreading rumors about a supposed pregnancy.

As the chaos unfolded, both women’s relationships with their partners began to falter. Daniel found Liv’s growing disdain difficult to manage, while Fletcher’s control over Emma tightened as she struggled to assert her identity. With their wedding date fast approaching, it became increasingly clear that neither friend was willing to relent. The dream they once held together was now overshadowed by a fierce contest for dominance.

The tension reached a breaking point when Fletcher confronted Emma about her newfound confidence and outspoken nature. In contrast, Liv was evolving emotionally, becoming more sincere and open as she deepened her connection with Daniel, although work pressures were pushing her toward a demotion.

With mere hours until the weddings, Emma’s father bestowed his blessing on Liv, though regret washed over Liv for the chaotic rendition she had chosen for Emma’s ceremony. In a last-ditch effort to amend the situation, she sent her assistant, Kevin, to replace a rambunctious spring break DVD with a sentimental compilation of cherished memories. Unfortunately, Kevin misunderstood the assignment, causing the disruption that would unfold.

During the ceremonies, a moment of shared connection occurred between Emma and Liv, filled with uncertainty and confidence. As they prepared to walk down the aisle, Emma wrestled with doubts about her own marriage. The wedding ceremonies took a wild turn when the errant DVD played at an inopportune moment, leading to a comedic bout between the two brides as Emma tackled Liv, shocking all the guests.

This wild disruption gave Emma the courage to confront Fletcher, revealing that she had grown fundamentally different from the person he fell in love with a decade earlier, which ultimately led to their wedding being called off. As Liv moved forward with her wedding, Emma stood by her side as maid of honor, later enjoying a dance with Nate, a popular journalist.

Fast forward a year, Emma and Liv celebrated a night out together, where they discovered Emma had married Nate. With a toast to marriage, Emma revealed her abstinence from drinking, a sentiment echoed by Liv. The revelations continued as both women discovered they were expecting children with coincidental due dates of March 3. Joyful screams and hugs ensued, marking the start of a thrilling new chapter in their lifelong friendship.