Here Comes the Bride

Cate Padgett, the 28-year-old titular heroine of Always the Bridesmaid, returns for more wedding woes-this time from behind the veil. Cate's moony marriage fantasy finally comes true when her boyfriend Ethan proposes in Cancun. But hijinks ensue, of course, beginning with the stilted chronicles of Cate's missing engagement ring. Then there's Cate's traditional Catholic mom, Connie, who threatens to boycott the wedding if Cate and Ethan move in together before their nuptials. Cate is also plagued by Ethan's ubiquitous, scheming ex, Janet; an unpleasant bridesmaid, Denise; and Ethan's sleazy older brother, his buxom young Czech girlfriend in tow. Though Lyles effectively conveys Cate's stymied attempts to be considerate of everyone involved in the wedding planning (a byproduct of tortured bridesmaid-hood), the action comes at a disappointing pace, punctuated by lengthy but not wholly successful attempts at humor.