The Wedding Chapel

The Wedding Chapel is a charming romantic drama released in 2013, directed by Vanessa Parise and written by Peter Mohan. Starring Emmanuelle Vaugier as the protagonist, Taylor, the movie revolves around her journey of rediscovering love, faith, and happiness.

Taylor, a successful and ambitious businesswoman, is living a life of materialistic pursuits in Los Angeles. As we know, the city of dreams never sleeps, thus Taylor is constantly racing against time to achieve more and more professionally. But as every fairy tale has a happy ever after moment, she receives an unbelievable shock when her Grandfather passes away and leaves her his wedding chapel in rural Missouri.

Initially, Taylor is hesitant to take a break from her fast-paced life in LA and travel to Missouri to check up on the Chapel. However, her Grandfather's lawyer informs her that he has left her a letter in which he has requested her to come to Missouri and oversee the Chapel. Taylor travels to Missouri, and upon reaching there, she discovers the Chapel has been under foreclosure, and in bad shape. Taylor is given three weeks to decide whether she wants to keep the chapel, sell it, or demolish it.

As Taylor sets out on the task of restoring the Chapel, she meets a friendly local contractor, Armand, played by Mark Deklin, who helps her fix the chapel. The movie captures several picturesque views of the countryside, showcasing the eroding beauty that can be restored through the touch of personal love and care.

As the Chapel's renovation begins, Taylor discovers a diary, which belonged to her Grandmother, who passed away twenty years ago. Taylor finds the diary fascinating as she reads through heart-warming letters and stories that fill her with a sense of longing, much different from the city life she is used to. After several days of going through the diary's pages, Taylor comes across a revelation about her Grandmother's past and her own roots, which shakes her and fills her with emotions and nostalgia. This makes Taylor reconsider her plans and think about settling down in Missouri.

As Taylor's life takes a new turn, she meets a charming local wine maker, Cole, played by Bradley Hamilton, who shows her around the place and introduces her to the locals. Shelley Long plays the role of Beverly, the Chapel's caretaker and an elderly lady who becomes Taylor's confidante.

The story takes a turn when Taylor finds out that her former boss, now ex-fiance, has traveled to Missouri to convince her to come back to LA and be a part of his new business venture. Taylor is overwhelmed with confusion, and she has to make a decision.

Of course, we don't want to give away spoilers. But, suffice it to say, The Wedding Chapel takes the audience through a delightful journey of love, loss, and renewal. The film is beautifully crafted, with a heartwarming soundtrack that is the perfect complement to the rural landscape where the Chapel is situated.

The Wedding Chapel is a must-watch for everyone who believes that love can be found in the unlikeliest of places. The performances are strong, especially Emmanuelle Vaugier’s, who effectively portrays Taylor's emotional journey of rediscovering her roots, reconnecting with her heart, and finally understanding the true value of faith, family, and the simple pleasures of life.