The 3 Most Memorable TV Weddings of the 90s
Who doesn't love a good wedding episode? And in the 90s, few sitcoms made it to the end of their run without at least one good (or horribly haywire) matrimonial episode. In this article, we'll dive into three of the most memorable wedding episodes of our favorite 90s television series.
Full House: Jesse and Becky (1991)
Episodes: The Wedding Part 1 and Part 2
This two-parter was certainly a wild ride, complete with the "will they make it to the church on time?" scare that 90s sitcoms just love to use to cultivate a sense of anxiety. But first, Jesse somehow only meets his fiance's parents for the first time just before the wedding. His soon-to-be father-in-law makes the odd and awkward comment that he'll likely lose any chance at adventure once he's married, which prompts Jesse to perform a risky stunt only hours before the nuptials: he goes skydiving. As you may remember, this doesn't go well for Jesse -- he gets stuck in a tree and falls onto a tomato truck, landing him a trip to jail. Becky bails out her fiance and offers some solid words of wisdom: "But, Jess, the adventure is just beginning for the both of us. Sharing our lives, starting a family. And hey, if you want to jump out of a plane, I'll strap on a chute and be right there with you. The point is, if you're going to go on an adventure, let's just do it together." Of course, they make it to the ceremony, and no 90s kid (or adult) can forget sweet Uncle Jesse singing “Forever” to his new bride.
Saved by the Bell: Zack and Kelly (1994)
Episode: Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas
Technically a made-for-TV movie, this two-hour special marked the finale to this classic 90s series. And, naturally, it was not lacking any of the classic hijinks that made SBTB such a fun show. Sadly for Zack, his parents did not approve of the young couple's decision to wed, and since Kelly's parents could not afford to fund a wedding, the two gather their friends and head to Las Vegas. Split between two cars for the road trip, the guys are pulled over and arrested by a local sheriff on suspicion of theft -- Slater forgot his car registration. The boys are eventually let out but not before the sheriff extorts $1,200 from the groom-to-be. And that's only the beginning! Slater has a run-in with the mob, Zack and Screech work as escorts, and Zack's parents finally show up with a change of heart. Today more and more couples are choosing to hold their ceremonies outdoors, and Zack and Kelly were no exception -- the wedding was held in a park near the hotel as a montage plays back Zack and Kelly's ups and downs from throughout the show's run.
Boy Meets World: Cory and Topanga (1999)
Episode: It's About Time
When it comes to 90s TV couples, few were more beloved than Cory Matthews and Topanga Lawrence. They were #relationshipgoals before such a thing existed. Of course, it wouldn't be the perfect wedding episode if the perfect couple didn't have a perfectly imperfect wedding day, right? It starts when Shawn, annoyed by his best friend's bossy behavior, quits his job as best man, vowing not to attend the wedding. Eric, Cory's lovable doofus of an older brother, steps in but, unsurprisingly, makes a series of unfortunate mistakes -- including forgetting the rings and booking the wedding venue illegally under another couples' name. Shawn shows up in the nick of time with the rings, and the friends reconcile. And nothing is sweeter than Cory's vows to Topanga: "Ever since I was young, I never really understood anything about the world and I never understood anything that happened in my life. The only thing that ever made sense to me was you ... and how I felt about you. That’s all I’ve ever known, and that’s enough. That’s enough for me for the rest of my life, Topanga."
Sure, 40% to 50% of marriages in the U.S. end in divorce, but our favorite TV couples give us all hope and inspiration to pursue love and happiness despite the odds. Who were your favorite 90s TV couples, and which 90s wedding was most memorable to you?