Parents' Guide to A Wedding for Christmas

Movie NR 2018 90 minutes
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Common Sense Media Review

Kat Halstead By Kat Halstead , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 8+

Predictable holiday romance about being true to yourself.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 8+?

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Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

In A WEDDING FOR CHRISTMAS, successful big city wedding planner Haley (Cristine Prosperi) is forced to return to her small hometown of Truxton to help with her sister's marriage. Used to a glamorous, fast-paced, high-pressure lifestyle, Haley holds her former town with little regard. But when Haley's fancy city contacts let her down and a snowstorm threatens to ruin the wedding, she has to rely on the people she initially shunned -- including her former childhood friend, Carter (Colton Little) -- to make her sister's day a success. Can Hayley pull off the perfect wedding? Can she open her heart enough to be the person she once was? And can she convince Carter that people really can change?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

This romcom is full of stock characters -- the demanding boss, the sweet local boy from childhood, the kindly old relatives -- and all-too-predictable plot turns. But if there's one time of year when movies can get away with a "cookie cutter" approach, it's Christmas. And while the screenplay certainly won't win any Oscars, it's warm and comforting, and there's something to be said for knowing where a story is heading -- particularly when that's toward a happy ending.

A Wedding for Christmas could have benefited from raising the stakes at some points -- the wedding never really feels in peril, nor does the path of true love run particularly bumpily -- and the acting isn't entirely convincing, particularly from those in smaller roles. But with just the right amount of heart and festive sparkle, this cookie still tastes sweet enough.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the meaning of community in A Wedding for Christmas. How does the movie portray the residents of Truxton? What could we learn from them?

  • How does Haley's character change throughout the movie? What character strengths does she show? How does this impact the way she treats people?

  • Haley says at one point that she changed to fit in when she moved to Los Angeles. Can you think of a time when you've changed anything in order to fit in? Do you think it is important to be yourself?

  • Describe Carter's character. What are his strong points? Do you think he's a positive role model?

Movie Details

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