1. Ross and Emily on Friends
Ross shouting “I take thee, Rachel” at the altar was one of Friends’ most unforgettable moments, but it almost meant the end of his wedding to Emily. What was supposed to be a romantic London ceremony quickly unraveled into chaos, with Emily running off and the couple entering a shaky long-distance marriage shares Collider.
Behind the scenes, the writers had originally planned for Ross and Emily to stay together longer, but Helen Baxendale’s real-life pregnancy and visa issues made continuing her role difficult. That twist gave way to a deeper focus on Ross and Rachel’s lingering feelings. While the wedding technically happened, their marriage barely got off the ground. Fans were left wondering what might’ve been if Ross had said the right name. Instead, the moment became a turning point for the show. And let’s face it, it was very Ross adds CBR.
2. Monica and Chandler on Friends
While Ross and Rachel had drama, Monica and Chandler almost didn’t even make it to the wedding planning stage. Their relationship started as a secret fling, and even the writers hadn’t intended it to go the distance. But fan reactions changed everything says Screen Rant.
Once audiences saw the chemistry and rooted for the couple, the writers pivoted to make it serious. Still, in typical sitcom fashion, the road to the altar was filled with nerves, mishaps, and a surprise pregnancy. The ceremony itself was sweet, but it could’ve easily gone another way if early drafts had stuck. The fact that they made it to the end together felt like a reward for everyone who believed in them. And thank goodness they did, because they gave us one of TV’s most lovable marriages adds Vulture.
3. Jim and Pam on The Office
Jim and Pam are one of television’s most beloved couples, but their wedding almost got delayed thanks to a string of family and office chaos. Between her bickering parents and the rowdy coworkers, it looked like nothing would go according to plan.
Luckily, they secretly eloped on the Maid of the Mist boat before the actual ceremony. That moment, full of quiet love and private joy, was everything fans hoped for. But it was a close call. Earlier seasons teased so much tension and bad timing, it felt like they might never make it work. Thankfully, the writers leaned into their natural chemistry instead of dragging things out. Their Niagara Falls wedding was worth the wait, even if it almost didn’t happen that way.
4. Leslie and Ben on Parks and Recreation
Leslie Knope’s life was all about planning, but when it came to her wedding with Ben Wyatt, things didn’t quite follow the schedule. They intended to wait until their dream venue became available, but spontaneous love had other ideas.
In a last-minute twist, they decided to get married in the Parks Department office. It was unconventional and messy, but absolutely perfect for them. Originally, there were discussions in the writers’ room about delaying the marriage for more political tension. But fans had grown tired of sitcom stalling tactics. The writers listened, and the characters followed their hearts. In the end, the simple ceremony matched their sweet, quirky bond.
5. David and Donna on Beverly Hills, 90210
Though technically a drama, 90210 had enough outrageous comedy moments to count here, and David and Donna’s wedding was long overdue. After ten seasons of breakups, cheating, and misunderstandings, it was amazing they even got engaged.
Writers nearly skipped the wedding entirely, unsure whether fans still cared. But loyal viewers wanted closure, and that helped seal the deal. The wedding was packed into the series finale, giving everyone a nostalgic sendoff. In real life, the actors were also dealing with contract negotiations that almost derailed the finale plans. Thankfully, everything came together just in time. It was a satisfying payoff for fans who stuck with them through every twist.
6. Marshall and Lily on How I Met Your Mother
Marshall and Lily were relationship goals, but even they had a rough patch before their wedding. Lily called off their engagement to pursue an art fellowship in San Francisco, leaving Marshall devastated and alone.
The separation was written in partly to give the characters space and add drama, but there was real fear among fans that they wouldn’t reconcile. Luckily, the writers never intended to keep them apart forever. Once reunited, they planned a small wedding, but that too almost fell apart due to a string of family mishaps. In the end, they skipped the big ceremony and said their vows privately in the park. It was small and sweet, just like their love story.
7. George and Susan on Seinfeld
George Costanza getting married always felt like a punchline, and that’s pretty much how it ended. His engagement to Susan was rocky from the start, and behind the scenes, the writers weren’t keen on making George a married man.
The plan was for the wedding to happen, but Jason Alexander and others felt the dynamic didn’t fit the show. So, in a very Seinfeld move, Susan was killed off in a bizarre glue envelope incident. The wedding was scrapped entirely, and George got out of it in the most absurd way possible. Fans were shocked, but also not surprised. That’s just how Seinfeld operated, subverting every trope—even weddings.
8. Kevin and Winnie on The Wonder Years
While Kevin and Winnie’s story spanned years of young love, fans always imagined they’d end up married. But the final episode shattered that idea. The wedding we’d all hoped for never actually came.
Originally, there were discussions about having them wind up together, but the creators wanted a more realistic ending. Kevin married someone else, and Winnie studied abroad. It was bittersweet, but intentional. Still, the idea of a future wedding lingered for years in fans’ minds. Had the series gone one more season, it might have happened. But the ending gave the show a touch of real-life heartache that’s stuck with viewers ever since.
9. April and Andy on Parks and Recreation
April and Andy’s wedding came out of nowhere, and that was exactly the point. The couple decided to get married after just a few weeks of dating, shocking everyone—including themselves.
In truth, the writers had originally intended for them to date much longer before tying the knot. But the chemistry between Aubrey Plaza and Chris Pratt was so strong, the quick wedding felt right. The spontaneity fit their chaotic personalities perfectly. Still, it was a risk. A lot of shows drag things out, but this choice gave Parks and Rec one of its most memorable surprises. Sometimes weird, impulsive love works best.
10. Mike and Carol on The Brady Bunch
Mike Brady and Carol Martin’s wedding was the very first episode of The Brady Bunch, but it almost didn’t play out that way. Producers debated whether the show should even start with the wedding or show the families already merged.
Eventually, they decided the wedding would help set the tone and explain the chaos of blending two large families. But the ceremony itself was a slapstick mess, with everything from a dog chase to kids bickering. It almost felt like a warning for what was to come. Still, it was a perfect start for a show that was all about love, chaos, and compromise. And despite the madness, the couple made it down the aisle.
11. Penny and Leonard on The Big Bang Theory
Penny and Leonard had a long, rocky road before finally tying the knot. Between commitment issues, jealousy, and mismatched personalities, it sometimes felt like they weren’t quite right for each other.
Even the writers admitted they debated whether the two should actually get married. But over time, the characters evolved and so did their bond. The first ceremony in Vegas was sweet but rushed, and they eventually had a second wedding to include friends and family. In a show filled with science and sarcasm, their relationship added heart. Still, that wedding almost never happened, and fans definitely had mixed opinions on the outcome.
12. Sabrina and Harvey on Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Sabrina and Harvey were high school sweethearts who didn’t end up together—until they sort of did. The original series ended with Sabrina about to marry someone else, only to run off with Harvey at the last second.
There was no wedding between them, but the implication was strong. That final scene, where Harvey shows up with Sabrina’s old high school ring, gave fans the happy ending they wanted. Earlier versions of the script had her going through with the wedding, but the writers changed course at the last minute. It was a nostalgic payoff for longtime viewers. Even if the ceremony never happened, the love story came full circle.