When I was a kid, a lot of television felt like it was teaching you a lesson. It was always speaking to you on a level that you weren’t sure that you needed, but at a point in your life, maybe you would. My friend says Hallmark movies are just like that, and I can see where she’s coming from. But I would tell you that they are more than that.
The remind us of quite a few things – the biggest being that there is always hope and love if you just open your eyes to see it.
One of the things that I love the most about The Wedding Veil franchise is that it reminds ME that one of the most powerful relationships in anyones life is friendship. Emma, Tracy, and Avery are all so different, but they are also so alike. They want to believe in the goodness in life, in every way, but differently. I think that’s one of the most special things about this series – the way that we’re able to see that friendship is about knowing that you have people that you can count on, people that will be there for you, but you need to be there for yourself too.
EMMA AND PAOLO
We’re telling Avery and Paolo’s story now. The two are living their life in Chicago – Avery doing everything that she can to balance teaching, career goals, and marriage. Her life is miserable though because her boss, is doing everything that she can to make her life miserable. Avery wants to be department chair and is waiting for the current department chair, Nancy to retire.
Nancy brings Avery into every meeting that she can, takes away classes, tries to tell her just how much she will have to do. As much as she piles on all of the things that Avery is miserable about, Avery doesn’t for a second think that it’s time to quit.
But the truth is, the Avery that we have seen in the other episodes is not the Avery we see here. For a long part of the movie we see this woman who has found a strength and love in herself and through her husband. However towards the end, the self doubt that you would thought that she had healed within herself returns.
Paolo and Avery are very much in love, don’t get me wrong. But (there is always a but) the day that the lace shop in Chicago finally opens, Paolo gets a call. His father had been taken into the hospital.
One thing that (if you’ve watched the series) you know is that for Paolo, family will always come first. His family has been devoted to each other and always will be, so for him to jump on a plane to Italy to be there for his family. His character has always been inspiring because he tells it like it is – that everything in life really does go back to LOVE.
Love is a tricky thing. People feel it deeply and people feel it whole heartedly, but it’s also normal to fear it. It’s normal to have to have love on your terms until you feel safe. What sometimes that it is hard to deal with is the fact that you have to compromise. Emma’s felt safe with Paolo, after having a long distance relationship before that failed, because he was willing to make sacrifices for her.
The way that Autumn Reeser plays Emma, the way that she is able to showcase Emmas ups and downs, and do it with such strength and vulnerability, I find to be why I love the characters that she plays. Emma especially. The character of Emma is dealing with ups and downs – she’s finding so much thrown at her, but Reeser finds a way to make Emma’s highs and lows relatable – as if we could all experience them.
And we all can.
We all do.
We knew that there would be a time that would come that Paolo would need to return to Italy. His family and their company is there. With his father retiring, with his Uncle retiring, he needs to go home to run the company. For Emma, that means giving up her goals, not seeing that it’s not that. It’s her finding new ones.
Emma’s life has been and continues to be guided by a plan. It’s where she feels comfortable, working towards something. She’s never had to move those goals to incorporate anyone else. When she is afraid of being hurt, she withdraws into her own world, becomes vague, and processes on her own.
But she’s got a partner now. She’s got someone who loves her unconditionally and isn’t willing to leave or let her go. But she has to find her way to accept that things are different, that she doesn’t have to be afraid to open her heart and believe that love will stay.
And it does take a second for her to realize that. That’s the beautiful thing, when her and Paolo figure out what they need and what will work for them. After all, isn’t that what love is about, compromise?
LILY AND MARCO
Lily may be my favorite new character, because she gives no f**ks, she’s accepting of who she is, and she is happy with who she is. Outside of Tracy and Avery, and well, Paolo of course, she’s Emma’s biggest cheerleader.
Lily is Emma’s TA and the two do share a special relationship. Lily is quirky and fun and she’s innovative. She tries to avoid love or anything that could be a relationship. It’s not because she doesn’t want love, it’s because she’s terrified of people leaving and her being hurt.
But I also think that Lily is like Emma, she needs to find faith and confidence with herself.
Lily likes the lace stores manager, Marco. Of course she commits the cardinal sin of googling him, which makes her think he would only date models. But the thing is that she doesn’t get is that relationship is a thing of the past.
Marco and Lily spending time together is a lot of fun to watch. Her putting walls and watching him tear them down continuously gives me hope for them. While we knew that the veil would bring them together, it was a great journey to watch.
The thing is, I am not emotionally invested in these two yet. That also being said, I think that the viewer could be. Would definitely be all for a spin off movie with these two. I am hoping that we get to learn more as we learn that the two are going to Italy to visit Emma and Paolo. Also don’t think it’s the last we’ll see of them because Marco is Paolo’s cousin and also, Lily is working with Emma on her videos making art accessible.
THE VEIL
Where does the veil go to next? Well that’s all about Tracy. She wants it for her husbands sisters. Yet something tells me, now that we’ve found out that Emma is pregnant, the veil will also bring Tracy a surprise too.
Safe to say though, after The Wedding Veil: Inspiration, we’re inspired.
OVERALL: ★★★★
Enjoyed the whole cast of likable characters led by the accomplished and talented Autumn Reeser who is a pro in her profession. Her range of expressing emotions is astonishing and only seems to grow in each of her roles. The location on Victoria Island, BC is perfect and the cinematography clear, rich, and crisp. This is truly a delightful buddy film where three true friends stick together and move the narrative of the Wedding Veil series. Autumn Reeser and her co-star Paolo Bernadini definitely have chemistry and bring out the modern-day issues of a two-career couple. This time the relationship is a really long-distance romance: Chicago and Italy. Hallmark has grown into producing mature stories and has an excellent repertoire of actors and talent to bring intelligent films to their audiences. Bravo.