Le Cottage des mariages

8.2 stars.

How about a romance for romance sake? 'The Wedding Cottage', is a passionate romance featuring a wedding planner and a sculptor.

There is absolutely nothing amiss in this story, everything is rational. There are no major squabbles, only true to life disagreements.

Vanessa needs to use Evan's dilapidated old cottage for an upcoming wedding she is planning for her clients, but unfortunately, this once popular wedding venue has deteriorated due to disuse. Evan has lived alone there for years creating masterpieces of art...he might be a certifiable genius. She requests the use of the old cottage, but he is stubborn and will not agree to let her fix up the place, even at her own expense. She pokes and prods at his softer side and still he does not budge, but eventually he succumbs to her charms. Their relationship develops naturally as their curiosity for each other grows.

'The Wedding Cottage' is a very gratifying and passionate love story. You won't have to cover your kids' eyes or send them to bed but you might be tempted to. Don't worry, this is still rated G.

Not to be confused (and not in any way) related to The Christmas Cottage with Merritt Patterson and Steve Lund that aired on Hallmark a few years back.

Lots of Hallmark star power here. When Calls the Heart star (in a rare on-screen moment out of period clothing) Erin Krakow stars alongside Chesapeake Shores alum Brendan Penney, who is a reliable actor, no matter the role. He plays a somewhat curmudgeonly character - at least early on - in direct opposition to Krakow's bubbly, positive character.

After Krakow's character Vanessa promises a couple - competition winners - the dream wedding at The Wedding Cottage, she belatedly discovers that the cottage is in disrepair and must enlist Penney's Evan to assist in getting the cottage ready for the nuptials, which at first proves to be a bridge too far.

There's nothing forced about the chemistry between Penney and Krakow. They are very good in every scene together - but especially the "leaf blower" scene, which was particularly amusing - and The Wedding Cottage is a very entertaining rom-com. It could have been run-of-the-mill with any other stars, but Krakow and Penney definitely elevate the film.

This was a wonderfully romantic Hallmark film and I feel like standing up and cheering. It seems like there has been a long dry spell on Hallmark filled with forced box checking and political agendas that really marked a deviation from the romantic films that originally brought me to the channel. This was a film that transcended all of that. It was beautiful, sweet and very romantic.

Erin Krakow, who I love in When Calls The Heart, is wonderful as a wedding guide creator that together with her team gives away a dream wedding to a would be bride and her hero military groom. The problem, they want to do it in the famous Vermont Wedding Cottage which has been out of business for five years and is currently owned by a famous artist who has allowed it to go to ruin. Thankfully Erin's character Vanessa Doyle is a real go-getter and she does what it takes to convince artist Evan Stanford to let her fix up the cottage and hold the wedding there...and bring him coffeee every morning...all quietly, so he can concentrate on his next piece for an upcoming art show.

These two, Vanessa and Evan, fit together like beautiful romantic puzzle pieces. I loved the romance in this film AND Erin's urban wardrobe! Erin Krakow and Brendan Penny have wonderful on-screen chemistry which really makes this film work.

I highly, highly recommend this to all the romantics out there...you will love this film.

I enjoyed the chemistry between the two leads. It's nice to see a female lead that is not so high strung or annoying, In the beginning she was a little but the movie gets better. This movie is probably the best one I have seen in a long time, I enjoyed the cottage scene and even the music. I liked the male actor Brendan Penny. It's nice he is paired with a Erin. Usually he is paired with the most annoying females on hallmark. This movie is one of the better ones I have seen him in. Watch if you are looking for an easy going romance that will get you in a good mood. I also love the scenery of Vermont.

The groom was introduced on TV as Staff Sergeant, but his insignia was for a Buck Sergeant. Also, with his injury, his campaign ribbons did not include a Purple Heart. Hallmark should always use a military consultant. Admittedly these are picky points for an otherwise excellent movie with true heart. Erin Krakow is always on character and Brendan Penny showed a transformation as his artistic side began to be seen in his work at the cottage and in dealing with Vanessa. Another highlight for me was the community spirit shown by town folks in pulling together and sharing their skills to make the wedding a reality.