Need a reason to get married :D

vixey · Jun 25, 2009

For my romantic comedy, it's been suggested to me by an agent that my female MC needs a better reason to get married other than for money (ie, pay her debts, keep her electricity on etc.).

In my WIP, I've staged a fake wedding. The groom's reason is sound for the charade, but the bride's isn't. For background purposes, the male and female MC's were childhood friends who reconnected at a college reunion.

SO!

I'm thinking...either the bride comes up with a crazy reason to get married...

OR...

Marriage is the last thing in the world for her.
a) she's a nun
b) she's already engaged
c) she's not interested in men

Just looking for some ideas here.

alleycat · Jun 25, 2009

A friend and I used to pretend we were going to get married just so we could get all those nifty wedding presents ("Hey, I need another cheese and bread slicer!"). We were just kidding around but it would have been funny . . . well, until all the gift-givers found out it was a joke.

Another idea: Maybe the fake bride-to-be has "had it up to here" with everyone asking her when she's going to get married, and all her friends being so arrogantly happy at their own wedding, so she decides to have a fake wedding just to get even. Maybe she plans to be the worse bridezilla in history . . . and make all the bridesmaids wear dresses in lime green.

Gillhoughly · Jun 25, 2009

Lime green with neon orange dresses. With matching tropical drinks.

Just a thought that none of those romantic comedies ever address--weddings are EXPENSIVE.

http://www.costofwedding.com/

Seriously. It's a costly joke, and we're in a recession. Everyone loves a wedding, but not at those prices.

Fake wedding reason for her....

The bride is stinking rich, engaged to her own true love--until she sees the money grubbin' pimple giving an oral tonsillectomy to some bimbo. PO'd bride-to-be goes straight into the fake wedding to rub his nose in it.

But what if it's real?

She and fake groom get real paperwork, blood tests, etc., only there's a screw up and the fake "Marryin' Sam" they hired gets appendicitis or twists an ankle or is distracted by a hooker (or all three!), and is swapped for a real pastor or judge who isn't in on the joke.

Oops.

seun · Jun 26, 2009

Gillhoughly said:
Just a thought that none of those romantic comedies ever address--weddings are EXPENSIVE.

Amen. I'm in the middle of paying for the world's smallest wedding and it'll keep us in debt for the next four years.

AuburnAssassin · Jun 26, 2009

MC's made a childhood pact that if neither were married by age X, they'd marry each other. Alternatively, she had a pact with someone else that she wishes she hadn't so she has to marry to escape it. Cliche, I know.

misa101 · Jun 26, 2009

Dumb reasons to get married, pulled from real life examples that make me think I need to associate with a higher class of people.

Because it will piss off my parents
Because I am pregnant
For medical benefits
Because I am tired of being asked when I will
Because the person I want to have sex with does not believe in premarital sex (that was the worst one ever)
For stability

All instances of Me or I were generic and not referring to me.

Now none of these quite fit your story but you could maybe jump off somewhere.

Oh also to hide sexual orientation or to get a green card are good ones (if slightly overused)

A.R. Starr · Jun 26, 2009

AuburnAssassin said:
MC's made a childhood pact that if neither were married by age X, they'd marry each other. Alternatively, she had a pact with someone else that she wishes she hadn't so she has to marry to escape it. Cliche, I know.

Cliche or not, this suggestion certainly makes me smile. Possibly because I'm writing a fantasy novel in a semi-medieval world.

Gillhoughly · Jun 26, 2009

seun said:
Amen. I'm in the middle of paying for the world's smallest wedding and it'll keep us in debt for the next four years.

Gosh, you shoulda talked to me--I pulled off a small wedding, but it was still very nice, and we started off debt-free.

Too bad I couldn't have had the wedding and not the (yikes) marriage.

I ended THAT on the cheap, too. No lawyers, filed the papers myself, etc.

Hint, don't sleep for three nights in a row so you look sick, and the judge ain't gonna want to hear why, she'll just grant the split!

The Lonely One · Jun 26, 2009

Well I think it's not that she needs money that's uninteresting but the reasons why.

The usual credit card debt and bills isn't really anything to bark at, but put a debt to the mafia (as an example), and you've got desperation in a situation that requires one to keep their head together.

Just a thought.

katiemac · Jun 26, 2009

Can you use anything from the foundation of your characters' relationship?

I haven't seen the film, but the fake marriage is the underlying plot point in new film The Proposal. She needs a green card, fine okay. I kind of rolled my eyes though, because why would he go through with marrying her? Turns out he'll get a huge raise and his dream job.

ABekah · Jun 26, 2009

ABC Family has a silly movie called "My Fake Fiance," where they get married for the gifts. Granted it's a stretch, but it is a made for tv movie after all. He has a debt to pay and she has just lost all of her furniture.

maestrowork · Jun 26, 2009

Don't think of an "excuse" but instead of real, pressing reason.

Like Katie said, in the Proposal, she needed to get married not just because she wanted to stay in the US, but because it means she would lose the career she took care of building in the past 15 years.

And the reason why he went along with it is that he would get a big raise, a promotion, and his manuscript published. That's a HUGE incentive.

So, you need to find what's truly at stake for these characters and then go with it. The higher the stakes, the better.

vixey · Jun 26, 2009

Wow! I posted this last night and just got home from work to see all these GREAT responses!

So much to noodle on...

I watched My Fake Fiance (made myself watch it) the other night because it sounded so similar to my story. (Mine's better!

)

I'll think about these ideas and return a bit later.

Thanks, everyone!

Gillhoughly · Jun 26, 2009

This is funny--a couple of over-60 pals of mine, both straight, are going to have a same-sex wedding, so one of them can get medical benefits from the others job. They room together anyway and get along better than most people.

Neither minds that a few beancounters might think they're lesbians.

They think it's hugely funny, but it is a practical decision for both. Each needs someone they can trust to look after them, since they don't trust their own families. They've boiled matromony down to its ancient origins: a business arrangement/contract.

Neither minds if the other dates--they've agreed to have "open marriage!"

Cyia · Jun 26, 2009

Gillhoughly said:
Lime green with neon orange dresses. With matching tropical drinks.

Just a thought that none of those romantic comedies ever address--weddings are EXPENSIVE.

http://www.costofwedding.com/

Seriously. It's a costly joke, and we're in a recession. Everyone loves a wedding, but not at those prices.

Fake wedding reason for her....

The bride is stinking rich, engaged to her own true love--until she sees the money grubbin' pimple giving an oral tonsillectomy to some bimbo. PO'd bride-to-be goes straight into the fake wedding to rub his nose in it.

But what if it's real?

She and fake groom get real paperwork, blood tests, etc., only there's a screw up and the fake "Marryin' Sam" they hired gets appendicitis or twists an ankle or is distracted by a hooker (or all three!), and is swapped for a real pastor or judge who isn't in on the joke.

Oops.

Better yet, do it on a boat. Make the bridesmaids wear hula skirts and coconuts as part of the theme - you can buy 'em at a party shop cheap.

They're on a nice boat ride with the intention of sticking inside US waters and tell the captain it's nothing but a party, so he's in on the fake wedding and doesn't blow it. But the boat strays out into international waters - instant legal marriage from the captain.

Gillhoughly · Jun 26, 2009

Good idea, but I read some place the US territorial limit is now 200 miles at sea.

Some party!

I like the cheesy grass skirt angle--make sure the groomsmen wear the same!

Hubba-hubba-hula! Check out this video Or this one!

vixey · Jun 26, 2009

alleycat said:
Another idea: Maybe the fake bride-to-be has "had it up to here" with everyone asking her when she's going to get married, and all her friends being so arrogantly happy at their own wedding, so she decides to have a fake wedding just to get even. Maybe she plans to be the worse bridezilla in history . . . and make all the bridesmaids wear dresses in lime green.

I like this. Well, maybe not the lime green dresses :tongue

.

Gillhoughly said:
Lime green with neon orange dresses. With matching tropical drinks.

Gillhoughly said:
The bride is stinking rich, engaged to her own true love--until she sees the money grubbin' pimple giving an oral tonsillectomy to some bimbo. PO'd bride-to-be goes straight into the fake wedding to rub his nose in it.

But what if it's real?

She and fake groom get real paperwork, blood tests, etc., only there's a screw up and the fake "Marryin' Sam" they hired gets appendicitis or twists an ankle or is distracted by a hooker (or all three!), and is swapped for a real pastor or judge who isn't in on the joke.

Oops.

My male MC is stinking rich, but it's all held up in trust that's now controlled by grandma who wants to see him get married before he can get to it. HE owes a bundle to a loan shark.

AuburnAssassin said:
MC's made a childhood pact that if neither were married by age X, they'd marry each other. Alternatively, she had a pact with someone else that she wishes she hadn't so she has to marry to escape it. Cliche, I know.

Sounds like My Best Friend's Wedding with Julia Roberts. Great flick! And I've thought of this idea, too. Good one.

The Lonely One said:
The usual credit card debt and bills isn't really anything to bark at, but put a debt to the mafia (as an example), and you've got desperation in a situation that requires one to keep their head together.

Right...my male MC's desperation is obvious, but hers isn't. I thought I had hers nailed with the debts, losing her house, etc., but it's dull. The agent said women are resourceful enough to manage those little financial bumps. *nods* I suppose. I'm thinking if I can't get desperation, revenge is sounding good.

katiemac said:
Can you use anything from the foundation of your characters' relationship?

I haven't seen the film, but the fake marriage is the underlying plot point in new film The Proposal. She needs a green card, fine okay. I kind of rolled my eyes though, because why would he go through with marrying her? Turns out he'll get a huge raise and his dream job.

I'll think about this idea some more.

Again, thanks, everyone!!

Cyia · Jun 26, 2009

Gillhoughly said:
Good idea, but I read some place the US territorial limit is now 200 miles at sea.

Some party!

I like the cheesy grass skirt angle--make sure the groomsmen wear the same!

Not on the Great Lakes

Get that boat up close to Canada and you're in International waters.

vixey · Jun 26, 2009

Cyia said:
Not on the Great Lakes Get that boat up close to Canada and you're in International waters.

I love this idea, too. Currently the wedding takes place in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, just a bit north of DC. Maybe I need an Atlantic wedding with the perfect storm.

Swordswoman · Jun 27, 2009

Maybe I need an Atlantic wedding with the perfect storm.

Trust me, you don't. I was married in the Bay of Biscay (with a ship between us and it, obviously), and even watching the video makes people feel seasick...

Two other possible desperation motives:

1. If he's her husband he can't be sub-poena'd to give evidence against her for some heinous crime she's committed (though not sure if this works in US law)

2. She wants custody of a minor - her child, her dead sister's child, her younger brother - and the judge will favour the candidate with the most provably stable relationship. Villainous ex-husband, brother-in-law or whatever has just got married, so to be in with a chance she has to do the same.

I like 2) better, but has it been done before?

Louise

Deb Kinnard · Jun 27, 2009

Louise, you're correct. In the US a wife cannot be forced to give testimony against her husband, and vice versa.

vixey · Jun 27, 2009

Thanks, Louise and Deb! I get seasick myself. Ew!

So...I'm taking a different tact now. I think my female MC (so involved in a relationship she might as well be engaged) is going to set up the male MC with her best friend - a college friend he also knows. This 'friend' is a bit over the top and won't exactly fit into his silver spoon lifestyle.

She's already a strong character in the book. I just hadn't thought about using her that way.

icerose · Jun 27, 2009

seun said:
Amen. I'm in the middle of paying for the world's smallest wedding and it'll keep us in debt for the next four years.

What kind of small wedding did you have???? My wedding and two receptions including the cake and the dress we pulled off for under 300 bucks.

Anyway, back on topic.

To throw out a few ideas. What about life and death? What if she or someone she cares about needs a life saving operation. What if it's the man she really loves and it's the only way to pull it off? Maybe that's darker than you're looking for, but I think that would add a heck of a good tension line!

MsGneiss · Jun 29, 2009

The show "American Dad" had a very amusing bit where Roger goes through the elaborate charade of getting married just so he could get a blender he wants as a wedding present. It depends on the degree of realism you are aiming for, but I think that's a very funny treatment of the topic.

JamieMT · Jun 29, 2009

My wedding was right at $300...just sayin'.

Sounds like maybe you have it figured out, but here's one more suggestion just in case:

What if there's more of an emotional reason to get married for her? I mean, sure, she really needs the money, but what if she also just wants to "belong", and will go through with a sham wedding just to have that feeling, even if it's only temporary? It's deep, but often humor is used to cover or cope with "deeper" issues, so it could still work in a romantic comedy...

Good luck - can't wait to read it someday.

Need a reason to get married :D

C'est la vie!

Still around

Grumpy writer and editor

Horror Man

Darkly Romantic Curmudgeon

Future Mrs. Hugh Jackman

Writing Addict & Proud Of It

Grumpy writer and editor

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Five by Five

Fear the Death Ray

C'est la vie!

Grumpy writer and editor

Rewriting My Destiny

Grumpy writer and editor

C'est la vie!

Rewriting My Destiny

C'est la vie!

Resilient and kind

C'est la vie!

Lost in School Work

Lurker in the Corner