License to Wed 2007

Sadie Jones had always imagined a traditional wedding with her beloved, Ben Murphy, within the sacred confines of her family church. However, reality struck when she learned that St. Augustine only offered one wedding slot for the next two years. Just when Sadie’s dreams seemed dashed, the church managed to find an unexpected opening, just three weeks away. Though Ben and Sadie technically qualified for this newly available date, they soon discovered they must meet the eccentric demands of Reverend Frank Littleton, the church’s charismatic yet unconventional minister.

As the countdown to their wedding begins, Sadie and Ben are thrust into an intense prenuptial course designed by Frank himself. Originally set to span three months, this program is now abbreviated to a mere three weeks, forcing the couple to tackle a variety of demanding exercises aimed at evaluating their compatibility and commitment. One memorable challenge includes caring for twin robot babies, which pushes Ben’s patience to the brink, resulting in a dramatic incident at a department store.

Meanwhile, Frank enforces his strict rules — including a prohibition on premarital intimacy — via a sneaky listening device planted in the couple’s home by his assistant. When Ben uncovers this transmitter, he opts to keep it from Sadie, worried that she would think he had set it up himself.

As the pressure mounts, Sadie begins to question her future with Ben. Tensions rise further when Ben learns that Frank’s backstory includes a prior marriage to Maria Gonzalez, a member of Frank’s congregation. This revelation deeply unsettles Sadie, leading her to doubt the integrity of their impending vows, especially as Ben’s preparations consist of a lackluster cartoon depicting a truck rather than meaningful reflections on their union.

With rising doubts clouding their relationship, Sadie ultimately decides to call off the wedding, leaving Ben heartbroken. Following Frank’s sage advice, she embarks on a solo adventure to Jamaica, the couple’s planned honeymoon locale, leaving Ben grappling with uncertainty about their future.

In his search for clarity, Ben turns to his friend Joel for support, who offers the candid advice: > “there are other fish in the sea.” Yet Ben remains steadfast, unwilling to give up hope of rekindling his relationship with Sadie. He bravely journeys to Jamaica, joined by Frank and his trusted assistant, hoping to win her back. Despite Ben’s efforts, Sadie resists his attempts to reach her, prompting him to seek perspective from her parents, who remind him that even the most ideal marriages face their share of hurdles.

Meanwhile, Sadie’s friend Carlisle notes that perhaps Ben’s devotion to her arises from a need for someone to depend on him, allowing Sadie to gradually come around to forgiving him. As Ben pours his heart out in vows written in the sand, the winds of change finally bring the couple together again, culminating in a touching ceremony officiated by none other than Frank Littleton himself.