Love, laughter, and wedding disasters collide in You’re Cordially Invited, a 2025 romantic comedy from Amazon MGM Studios.
Written and directed by Nicholas Stoller (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Bros), this laugh-packed nuptial fiasco stars Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon as two feuding strangers forced to navigate an island-wide wedding mix-up.
The film premiered on Amazon Prime Video on January 30, 2025, receiving mixed reviews but packing enough punch to entertain comedy lovers and rom-com enthusiasts alike.
The Plot: Double-Booked and Double the Trouble
Jim (Will Ferrell) is a devoted, overprotective single dad whose world is rocked when his daughter, Jenni (Geraldine Viswanathan), announces her engagement.
Determined to give her a picture-perfect wedding, he books Palmetto Island, Georgia—where he and his late wife once tied the knot.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, high-strung reality TV producer Margot (Reese Witherspoon) takes charge of her younger sister Neve’s (Meredith Hagner) wedding to her lovable but unconventional fiancé Dixon (Jimmy Tatro).
She, too, books Palmetto Island for the same weekend.
Cue the chaos: a tragic yet oddly convenient clerical error (involving a heart attack and a forgotten reservation) leads both wedding parties to arrive at the island, each convinced they have exclusive rights to the venue.
With the island too small to host two extravagant weddings, Jim and Margot butt heads over who gets the prime spots.
Margot stakes her claim first, but a reluctant truce is reached—both weddings will share the island, switching between indoor and outdoor setups. What could go wrong? (Spoiler: Everything.)
As the wedding weekend unfolds, tensions rise.
Jim and Margot engage in a petty war of sabotage, complete with passive-aggressive toasts, boat-induced splash attacks, and one truly unfortunate collapsing dock incident.
Meanwhile, family secrets spill, including Neve’s secret pregnancy, Margot’s rocky relationship with her mother (Celia Weston), and Jenni and Oliver’s (the groom) hidden plans to relocate.
A boozy night leads to an awkward misunderstanding when Margot mistakenly believes Oliver is cheating, setting off a chain reaction of emotional chaos, impulsive makeouts, and wedding cake destruction.
By the time the dust (and icing) settles, one couple is left married, another is split, and Jim and Margot find themselves at the heart of an unlikely romance.
The film closes on a Thanksgiving family gathering, where Jim, Margot, and their blended brood pose for a photo—just before Jim pops the big question. But after the disaster they just survived, eloping might be the safer bet.
The Verdict: A Wedding Worth Crashing?
You’re Cordially Invited is a delightful mess—sometimes too messy for its own good, but undeniably fun.
Ferrell and Witherspoon don’t exactly have sizzling chemistry, but their comedic chops carry the film.
Ferrell’s signature brand of lovable buffoonery meets Witherspoon’s sharp wit, creating two hilarious but completely different energy levels that somehow work (most of the time).
While their romantic arc feels more obligatory than organic, their individual performances shine, especially in the film’s many absurd, laugh-out-loud moments.
The supporting cast is a goldmine of comedic talent. Meredith Hagner is charming as the free-spirited Neve, and Jimmy Tatro steals scenes as her lovable, himbo stripper fiancé.
Celia Weston delivers a pitch-perfect performance as Margot’s passive-aggressive mother, while Keyla Monterroso Mejia’s turn as Jenni’s fiercely loyal maid of honor adds extra comedic firepower.
Does the film go overboard? Absolutely. The physical comedy leans heavily into the absurd, and some gags (like the alligator bite) push the limits of believability. The script juggles an overstuffed ensemble, multiple subplots, and a few too many contrived misunderstandings.
But if you’re here for the laughs rather than airtight storytelling, you’re in for a treat.
Like a real wedding, You’re Cordially Invited is a little chaotic, slightly overwhelming, but ultimately a good time. It won’t redefine the rom-com genre, but with its R-rated humor, playful jabs at wedding culture, and an abundance of hilariously petty behavior, it’s a ceremony worth attending.
Just maybe don’t expect the couple at the altar to be the highlight of the night.
Final Score: 7/10 – RSVP for the comedy, not the romance.
[Watch the trailer here]
