A Very Merry Bridesmaid

Rating: 6/10

Reason: Good acting, but slow and predictable

*Watched on Amazon Prime Video (Age 7+)

SPOILERS BELOW!

                                                                           

Shop Lady has dreams to travel the world, but she owns a shop and just can't make the time to get away. Her Brother is getting married on Christmas Eve, which also happens to be her 30th birthday. She's always had a crush on her brothers friend who grew up next door. 

Brother and Controlling Fiance arrive at the airport, and Controlling Fiance is grumpy! The airline lost her wedding dress and her suitcase with wedding gifts! 

Next Door Hot Guy (NDHG) and Shop Lady run into each other in the back yard and NDHG asks about her birthday plans. She doesn't have any. It's the wedding day after all... Controlling Fiance's parents are dead, and they loved Christmas, so she's getting married on Christmas Eve.

The next day Brother calls everyone except his Controlling Fiance over to let them know he's fulfilled his Controlling Fiance's wish! She always wanted to get married in her childhood home, and he's secretly bought it! He just needs everyone to help fix it up and keep it a secret that he's changed the venue from his parents' house to her old house an hour away! What could go wrong? 

Shop Lady's friend and NDHG are very concerned about her lack of birthday plans. It's her 30th! That's a big deal! Shop Lady is determined not to make a big deal about it. Weddings only happen once. 

NDHG is thinking about selling the house next door, where he grew up with his Nana. Controlling Fiance is sad. Family homes are important!

Controlling Fiance goes shopping for a new dress, and she isn't happy about it. She went to London 3 times for fittings for her wedding dress, and it was her dead mom's favorite designer! Now she's going to have to get an ordinary dress. She always dreamed about having a perfect wedding, and so far it's not....

NDHG decides Shop Lady not having a birthday celebration is an unacceptable plan. He will prepare some birthday surprises such as a horse drawn carriage ride, special hot chocolate like Nana used to make... It's clear he likes Shop Lady, but Shop Lady is oblivious to his affections despite her crushing crush she still has on him. NDHG has plans to continue teaching around the world, and Shop Lady has a shop, so there's obviously no future for them. 

Time for the house reveal. Brother brings Controlling Fiance to the house, and tells her the wedding will be here! She's so happy! (Well that worked out) 

NDHG's realtor brings a potential buyer to look at the house. Seems NDHG is not sure he actually is ready to sell the house....

Brother tells NDHG that he needs to be careful about his sister. She's always had a crush on him, and since NDHG is leaving again after Christmas, don't do anything that would hurt Shop Lady's feelings. NDHG says, "that crush was when we were kids. She doesn't like me like that anymore. Besides, I'd never hurt her."

Meanwhile Shop Lady brought Controlling Fiance to her friend's store, and her friend had a great wedding gown in the back that Controlling Fiance approves of! 

Uh oh, Shop Lady and NDHG are under the mistletoe! She kisses him and he breaks it off. She's embarrassed, and runs away. NDHG stands as if glued to the spot and calls impotently after her, "Shop Lady, Shop Lady, come back."

NDHG receives an offer on the house he doesn't actually want to sell because he really wants to stay because he's in love with Shop Lady but won't admit it to himself. He tells Shop Lady, "I received an offer in my house that is so good I can't refuse it." Shop Lady says, "great. congratulations." And walks away. 

Dad tells Shop Lady he knows why she hasn't gone traveling. It's not actually because of her shop. It's because he had heart attacks. But he's all better now, and he'd like her to go. Away. Travel the world.

On wedding day NDHG wishes Shop Lady a happy birthday while they are standing in the back of the church, ready to march down the aisle. Shop Lady tells him she's going on a trip. They march down the aisle. NDHG keeps looking at Shop Lady during the wedding. It's too much. It's awkward. Brother and Controlling Fiance are married. yay.

NDHG tells Brother the he had always had a crush on Shop Lady too. Brother is giddy with wedding day happiness and says it's the best news he's heard!

Controlling Fiance takes control of the reception and announces that it's Shop Lady's birthday. Clapping commences because how else should the guests respond? Mom takes over the mic and tells Shop Lady they all pitched in and gave her all their air-miles. This is the weirdest reception I've ever seen. Now Shop Lady is giving a speech about Christmas... At the wedding reception. 

As the couple leaves, NDHG whispers to Shop Lady to meet him in the gazebo. He tells her he's only taking a short trip, then he's coming back and not selling his house. He wants to be with her. Now they are kissing without mistletoe! Shop Lady thanks NDHG for really seeing her.

An airport van arrives at the house after everyone has left. Apparently the lost luggage has been found.

The end