13 Movies for Event and Wedding Planners to Cozy Up to This Winter

To curate the perfect event planning-inspired watchlist, we reached out to the planning community for their fave flicks. Some hit a little too close to home displaying the complex reality of event and wedding planning. Several feature over-the-top scenarios we’ve all faced at one point or another in our careers. Others offer a fascinating perspective not often seen. Finally, a few are simply entertaining to watch for a hearty belly laugh.

Grab some popcorn and let’s go to the movies!

1. Father of the Bride and Father of the Bride Part II

There’s so much to love about both of these classics, including Martin Short as the over-the-top consultant, his hilarious assistant BD Wong, and Steve Martin as the protective father. And despite the continued mishaps, who doesn’t get a little teary-eyed seeing Kimberly Williams-Paisley as Annie Banks have her dream wedding.

2. Ocean’s Eleven, Ocean’s Twelve, Ocean’s Thirteen, and Ocean’s Eight

With such a fabulous cast, it’s easy to forget each movie in this trilogy is about pulling off the ultimate caper – which requires A LOT of planning, attention to detail,  and plan B scenarios.

3. The First Monday in May

A fascinating behind-the-scenes documentary by filmmaker Andrew Rossi that focuses on the year-long planning of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s most attended fashion exhibit in history: the 2015 art exhibition China: Through the Looking Glass and the gala that accompanied the exhibit.

4.  DEFCON: The Documentary

While the largest hacking conference has a strict no-filming policy, cameras documented the attendees, the production team, the events, and the unique experience that is DEFCON for the ultimate insider look at the event’s 20thanniversary.

5. 7 Days Out

If you haven’t seen the first season of this Netflix series, add it to your watchlist now! Each episode follows a single event, like the Westminster Dog Show, the Kentucky Derby or CHANEL Haute Couture Fashion Show, counting down from seven days out to the event.

6. The September Issue

OK, so this isn’t a movie about a typical event. However, a behind-the-scenes peek at what it takes to pull off the legendary September 2007 issue of American Vogue magazine is worth watching just to see Anna Wintour, her masterful mind, and attention-to-detail.

7. Best in Show

With a hysterical cast that improvised much of the dialogue, this mockumentary comedy about dogs and their owners preparing for a prestigious dog show reminds us just how quirky the world of event and wedding planning is sometimes.

8. The Wedding Planner

Love it or leave it, it’s entertaining to watch Jennifer Lopez take on the role of a wedding planner in a good old-fashioned rom-com.

9.  Bride Wars

For those who have dreamed of being a planner from a young age, this film with Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway captures the passion for planning a perfect event.

10. The Wedding Singer

Beyond cracking up at Adam Sandler’s performance as a stereotypical wedding singer, who doesn’t love watching Drew Barrymore find her true love while planning her wedding to the ultimate creep.

11. Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru

Another Netflix documentary, this film takes a look behind Tony Robbins’ “Date with Destiny” seminar that is attended by over 4,500 people each year. Beyond showcasing what it takes to produce this mega-event, this is a must-watch if you’ve never experienced a Tony Robbins seminar to see just the power of his inspiration on audiences.

12. 4 Wedding Planners

Not to be heavy-handed on wedding planning, this movie made the cut because it’s a tribute to the hard work and dedication it takes to keep a planning business up and running – and the close ties that bond planning teams.

13. Miracle on 34th Street

Most think of this as a holiday movie, but don’t forget that the mother oversaw planning the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – long before event planning was in our vocabulary and when clipboards and pencils were planners’ tools of choice.

What movie would you add to this list? Share your suggestion with us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.