10 Black TV Weddings We Couldn’t Stop Talking About

“Amen”
For all those out there that were avid “Amen” watchers, you know that for a majority of the series, 30+ year old character Thelma Frye, played by Anna Maria Horsford, simply couldn’t find a man. But oh how her luck completely changed when she found a worthy fella during the fourth season, and he just so happened to be the man she had been pining for throughout the whole series–the handsome and youthful Reverend Reuben Gregory. On their second go around at the altar, their wedding day starts off chaotic, with Thelma paranoid that her nuptials won’t actually happen again. Things get worse when they finally make it to the ceremony, but the pastor, doped up on sedatives, passes out. Leave it to Sherman Hemsley, as  Thelma’s pops Deacon Frye, to set things straight. Not only does Reverend Gregory end up having to be both the groom and the pastor during his own wedding ceremony, but the episode ends with a dope drum and dance number by a children’s dance troupe. And in the ultimate happy ending, Thelma is a spinster no more–check out her overzealous “I do” in the above wedding video.

“Girlfriends”
In everyone’s favorite black version of “Sex and the City” (sorry “Single Ladies,” it’s not gonna happen), successful real estate agent and part-time goldigger Toni is set to get married to her complete opposite, Todd Garrett. As her nerves increase as the big day approaches, she expects that all her girls will be there to play silly games, have sunrise tea, and pretty much indulge in her every whim to calm her jitters. But the one person who should be there the most, Joan, dips in and out of pre-wedding bridesmaid activities to deal with the non-stop issues between her and then boyfriend, Ellis. It becomes plain and clear that Joan is not as happy for Toni as she should be (she might as well have worn green throughout the whole episode), and Ms. Toni bans her from the wedding, tearing up her dress as the icing on the wedding cake. After some coaxing and some tears, Joan pops back up at the beau-tiful wedding, which included a pastor and a rabbi to intertwine the couples two beliefs (LOVE it!), and she and the ladies (and even Ellis in the end) kill it down the Soul Train line during the reception. Zoom to 2.00 in the video to get to the juicy parts!

“Good Times”
Let me start by saying how impressed I was with little Michael Evans’ singing abilities as he belted out Stevie Wonder’s “You & I” during the beginning of the ceremony (though I would have loved if Ja’net Dubois, aka, Willona belted it…) This wedding wasn’t a simple one to pull off or finish, as a broke JJ had to take out a fat loan from the dangerous loan shark Sweet Daddy Williams to pay for Thelma’s nuptials. And let’s not forget that at the end of the ceremony, on the way out of the church, Keith, the groom and a supposed football star, trips over JJ’s leg and suffers a devastating knee injury that puts a dent in his football career.  This injury causes both he and Thelma to move BACK into the projects of Chicago into her mother’s crib, inducing Keith’s later resentment and alcohol abuse. But if we can look on the bright side, this wedding was still a beautiful one. I love that her brother walked her down the aisle in replacement of James Evans. You better work in that white Thelma!

“Martin”
Say what you want about standing in churches or in gardens, but beach weddings are soooo boss! And you don’t have to wear any shoes! If you have any reservations about this though, check out the gorgeous nuptials of one of black television’s favorite couples, Gina and Martin Payne. And Lawd have mercy, it wasn’t easy getting to the sandy altar. Martin initially tried to force a proposal and Gina left him, they got back together and couldn’t come to an agreement on wedding plans or a best man (remember Hustle Man and the chitlin loaf?), and Martin even ran away to a Monastery when he couldn’t cope with the pressures. But they made it, and despite a hole in Gina’s wedding dress and Martin and Tommy getting stuck in an elevator, the two do it big on their big day. It also didn’t hurt that Babyface’s rendition of “You Are So Beautiful” kicked things off. Tearjerker!

“La La’s Full Court Wedding”
How could you not enjoy this wedding??? These two were initially engaged way back in ’04 and this show probably came into fruition to dispute claims that they were never going to get married at all and that girlfriend was getting played to the left. Let’s be real, we all thought it wasn’t happening. She was the baller version of “Love & Hip Hop’s” Chrissy for a minute there, but with a child. But if you root for black love as you should, then this high profile ceremony, done at Cipriani’s in NYC, in a room swathed in ravishing red, roses and fresh crystal curtains everywhere (you’d think all this would look tacky but it was pretty dazzling) was fun to watch. From the paparazzi entrances by La and friends, to the pre-ceremony prayer led by female rat pack member Kelly Rowland, and the conversation between La and her dad before they walked down the aisle, it was touching. Scripted TV weddings are all good, but there’s nothing like watching the real thing…on TV that is. (Click on link above for video)

“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”

Man, did Will love him some Shaft or what? That was extremely evident in the episode, “The Wedding Show (Psyche!).” When Will and Lisa feel suffocated by wedding plans getting too mammoth thanks to Uncle Phil and Lisa’s own father, the two bail on Bel-Air and decide to try and get married the old-fashioned way–in Vegas. While there, the two find themselves having a theme wedding, with their chosen motif centering around the movie Shaft. Will in a huge fro, Lisa in a long wig, Isaac Hayes there and everything. But their own simple plans turn out to be just as annoying as the one’s pushed on them by family members (the singing just wouldn’t stop…), and in the end, the two decide to slow things down with their wedding plans. And I know what you’re thinking: Yes, we know that Will and Lisa made it to the altar once again, but of course, Lisa gets cold feet and their parents tie the knot instead. But since this try at eloping in Vegas was way more entertaining…here it is! (Click link above to see the hilarious video)

“The Game”
Is it just me, or does Mara Brock Akil have a thing for outdoor weddings? The “Girlfriends” writer definitely brought her drama A-game with this wedding episode. Feeling like she was fading into the background, Melanie (or girl Melanie as Malik used to call her) rushes preparations for a wedding her parents disapprove of, and that she becomes the ultimate Bridezilla about. All done to make sure she’s first in Derwin’s eyes, hoping to marry him before the birth of his baby with ex Janay. If that’s not drama enough, a fight ensues between bridesmaids Kelly and Tasha, and all that talk and those threats Tasha did throughout the series added up to nothing as Kelly did a “Fight Night” on her, leaving her out cold. Melanie freaks out likes she does best, but Derwin persuades her that they will indeed get married no matter what. And just when you think things are going to get better, with Melanie’s parentals even showing up to be supportive, Derwin gets a call that Janay is in labor. Melanie finally does the right thing and lets Derwin go to the hospital, but as her reward, she and her baller beau get married in a quiet, small ceremony at the hospital…quietly ending the series for like, almost two years.

“The Jamie Foxx Show”
After chasing Fancy around for the duration of “The Jamie Foxx Show,” Jamie finally got the chance to put a ring on it. But in true comedy fashion, the duo couldn’t become one without some of the most random things occurring. From struggling big time to pick up his suit, to having major issues with his car, Jamie goes through, and does the absolute most, worrying his bride, and her parents–who just so happened to be the duo who sang, “You Don’t Have to Be a Star.” And let’s not forget Gladys Knight as Jamie’s mom! Anywho, Jamie finally shows up, and the ceremony goes off without a hitch. Jamie King even gets to show off a little of his Jamie Foxx side (male Sasha Fierce??) when he sings the touching song “The Day I Married My Angel” as his wedding vows. Gotta love the cliche montage to accompany it. And can we comment on Fancy’s dress please? This netting thing going on, tasteful, or a no-go??

“Living Single”
This wedding was always funny to me, because even though all the ladies used to play Sinclair for her quirkiness, she was the first to get a man, and keep him (sorry Regine!). It was a long time coming, But troll doll-loving Sinclair and her Ovi finally tied the knot. And she wasn’t the only one who got lucky, Regine locked down herself a dance with cutie footballer Desmond Howard, even in her ugly Barney-colored bridesmaid dress. The ceremony was a beautiful one of course, and was capped off big time by a duet between Kyle and Khadijah, called “I Commit To You” for Mr. and Mrs. Overton Wakefield Jones. Even Maxine was impressed by Kyle Barker’s vocal game (check her animated eyes). And if you’re going prove to the world you can sing, why not do it on your own show?

“A Different World”
Possibly the best black made-for-TV wedding ever, we couldn’t leave out Whitley and Dwayne’s wedding from “A Different World.” But it was really close to being Whitley and Byron Douglas’ wedding if you remember. The saddity sistah and the senatorial candidate who together had a quick, whirlwind relationship made it all the way to the church, and up to the “I Do” parts before Whitley got cold feet. And with Dwayne showing up and Whitley’s mom all in her ear (played so well by Diahann Carroll), things weren’t getting along as easy as the bride had planned. After she has delusions that everyone from her groom, to her mother is Dwayne, he finally jumps in–and almost gets dragged out–speaks his peace, and has the whole television audience saying “awwwwwww” when he begs Whitley to be with him. To the surprise of…no one actually, she ditches her uptight groom for her bespectacled boo and the two quickly tie the knot as Byron and his mom dip out in embarrassment. You feel sorry for the guy, cause in real life, that would have been wrong on so many levels, but in TV land, you can’t hate on fate.

What are your tv weddings?