The Wedding Veil Expectations

6.7 stars.

From a glass half full perspective (quoted in this film actually), "The Wedding Veil Expectations" is a moderately below average Hallmark film. We are back to Chabert as the female lead. It's not as good as the first three, particularly the second one was my favorite. Reeser makes a movie special more so than most lead females of the Hallmark genre (I think Hallmark is its own genre). The reasons that I enjoyed the first two films, the first being a 7.5, was the mystery behind the veil, and it was the genesis of an odyssey of sorts. It was the first of its kind, pulling us into an adventure of the veil shrouded in antiquity (modern antiquity so to speak).

The second one which I rated at 7.8, featuring Reeser was abundant with wonder and mystery as she was trekking through Italy meeting the originators of the veil itself. Her journey and discovery of the provenance of the veil and the Italian family that created it, were intriguing and enjoyable.

The third installment, starring Sweeney, was a 7.2 star disappointment and was lesser than the first ones. Although it contained much of the same, it didn't fit the mold in several key aspects. Much of the mystery and discovery was absent.

This one, the fourth of the veil series, was more like the third except slower, lacking adventure, just very limited to a woman (Chabert) and her feelings about this and that. Basically, this is a film about her discovering she is pregnant. The rest of the film is about her determining how to break the news to her various family and friends; so you can see the letdown. It's not veil oriented at all. Then we are suddenly transported into a very strange and anti-climactic conclusion.

I am not eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series, in fact I was just about ready to call it quits on these films. Of course any Hallmark aficionado can attest that we cannot just watch 4 of the 6 wedding veil movies and leave it at that. I have Reeser to look forward to next, so if it fails to entertain, I'll be doubly disappointed. Ultimately, I have high hopes that the 5th installment will resurrect this down sloping trend of the third and fourth veil films.

One of the reasons I enjoyed the original parts of The Wedding Veil involved the art and the history that were showcased with the story. I wasn't sure what this next installment would offer me as part of the audience, but I found it even more delightful. It let us glimpse into the new marriage of Avery and Peter, and the negotiations and frustrations that come with marriage and the adjustment to another person in most aspects of life. Because of the previews, I didn't realize how much this story would focus on the two of them and their struggles together. It turned out to be a lovely surprise. The story was great, the acting, superb, and the overall production, simply wonderful.

So looked forward to this movie because I loved the first movie and yet still blown away! The storyline was wonderful and very believable and to see their lives continue after their wedding was so fun! Kevin McGarry's talent was incredible and he and Lacey set the bar very high for this second trilogy! The range of circumstances and emotions evoked by the wide range of acting was so enjoyable and heartfelt. I could easily see a sitcom come from this 4th movie, even more than I wanted one for the first! I absolutely loved it and the nod to When Harry Met Sally outtakes were the icing on the cake!

Loved seeing a relationship after the wedding is over. The story was engaging and there were a lot of comedic moments and dramatic moments as well. Kevin and Lacey have great chemistry, which added to the appeal of the story. The acting was well done by everyone, especially by Kevin and Lacey. The women's friendship added to the story nicely, without taking over the main storyline. I liked seeing a continuation to a story that I really liked as well. It would be great if we could visit them again next year (hint, hint to TPTB). I really enjoyed this sequel to the Wedding Veil and would reccommend it to everyone, especially if you want to see something a bit different from Hallmark.

This movie was SUCH a delight, and made me smile, laugh out loud, and be silent with a content full heart so many times.

Kevin McGarry and Lacey Chabert have gotten even better as an on-screen couple. They have wonderful timing together, true warmth and affection and do a great job bringing these characters to life.

While they are living in a somewhat unrealistic dream world, they also encounter many every-couple challenges small and large. Examples of the unrealistic dream world: he gets up before her every day and wakes her up with a fresh rose, she wears romantic dresses and 6 inch heels almost every day, they have bought a classic mansion that is clean and furnished beautifully, they both are working their dream jobs and apparently have enough money to impulsively make large expenditures multiple times a week without looking at the budget. Examples of every-couple challenges: canceled meetings, casual full-coverage pajamas, unexpected house repairs (MAJOR ones), conflicting goals (in small stuff), spats, emotions, throwing decorative pillows on the floor and ordering take-out for dinner. She wants to nest and decorate. He wants to protect and bring the house up to code on earthquakes.

The friendship between the three ladies continues and I enjoyed their scenes in this movie more than I did in the first trilogy.

Karen Kruper brought life and depth as Peter Hasting's mother. I also applaud Hallmark for putting her story in this movie -- mature widowed women have wonderful interesting stories too. It was lovely to have a character-story arc for Kevin McGarry here -- many opportunities to tell a story of grief and growth on this part, and with a lot of comedy thrown in. A large part of this movie's success is due to his performance, although Hallmark would like us to think it's all about the ladies.

It's such a lovely movie and Hallmark has done a great thing by continuing this series with these great characters.

I would love for the Wedding Veil Trilogy to become a yearly series -- a new trilogy of movies every January, following these characters through decades, would be lovely and the fanbase would show up for sure.