The Wedding Cottage

This has been on Hallmark Channel recently. Have watched x3. I have actually laughed out loud each time. Worth watching just to see the expressions on Brendan Penney's face while Erin Krakow was being a klutz or making a passionate argument. Totally believable. Also worth noting his expressions as he grows fond of her.

As usual for Hallmark, the misunderstanding/conflict is pretty annoying but par for the course.

Overall, very enjoyable. Flows along well.

All supporting characters believable.

Must say though, what were they thinking when they dressed ErinKrakow in that ugly and matronly gown at the wedding.

I enjoyed the chemistry between the two leads. It's nice to see a female lead that is not so high strung or annoying, In the beginning she was a little but the movie gets better. This movie is probably the best one I have seen in a long time, I enjoyed the cottage scene and even the music. I liked the male actor Brendan Penny. It's nice he is paired with a Erin. Usually he is paired with the most annoying females on hallmark. This movie is one of the better ones I have seen him in. Watch if you are looking for an easy going romance that will get you in a good mood. I also love the scenery of Vermont.

The groom was introduced on TV as Staff Sergeant, but his insignia was for a Buck Sergeant. Also, with his injury, his campaign ribbons did not include a Purple Heart. Hallmark should always use a military consultant. Admittedly these are picky points for an otherwise excellent movie with true heart. Erin Krakow is always on character and Brendan Penny showed a transformation as his artistic side began to be seen in his work at the cottage and in dealing with Vanessa. Another highlight for me was the community spirit shown by town folks in pulling together and sharing their skills to make the wedding a reality.

This was a wonderfully romantic Hallmark film and I feel like standing up and cheering. It seems like there has been a long dry spell on Hallmark filled with forced box checking and political agendas that really marked a deviation from the romantic films that originally brought me to the channel. This was a film that transcended all of that. It was beautiful, sweet and very romantic.

Erin Krakow, who I love in When Calls The Heart, is wonderful as a wedding guide creator that together with her team gives away a dream wedding to a would be bride and her hero military groom. The problem, they want to do it in the famous Vermont Wedding Cottage which has been out of business for five years and is currently owned by a famous artist who has allowed it to go to ruin. Thankfully Erin's character Vanessa Doyle is a real go-getter and she does what it takes to convince artist Evan Stanford to let her fix up the cottage and hold the wedding there...and bring him coffeee every morning...all quietly, so he can concentrate on his next piece for an upcoming art show.

These two, Vanessa and Evan, fit together like beautiful romantic puzzle pieces. I loved the romance in this film AND Erin's urban wardrobe! Erin Krakow and Brendan Penny have wonderful on-screen chemistry which really makes this film work.

I highly, highly recommend this to all the romantics out there...you will love this film.

One thing I typically look for in the Hallmark romances is the level of relationship building. Some plots put the main couple together so seldom you wonder how they even remember each other's names.

This movie puts the leads together most of the time, and it works. The plot starts out with a bit of antithetical romance which is quickly stripped away as the lady wedding planner puts a cottage back in order.

Unfortunately the "relationship crisis" is one that's been horribly overworked, when one of the leads thinks the other has betrayed their fame to the press. I had to knock off a star for a lack of originality there.

However, overall we liked the story and the characters, and we're glad we watched it.