This archive, written by former Harlequin editor Kayla King, was originally published in 2017. Here are five bridal tropes sure to make you want to curl up with a wedding romance this weekend!
It’s June, which is still the luckiest month of the year to get married, according to ancient Roman traditions. To get married in June was to receive the blessing of Juno, goddess of marriage and childbirth. Nowadays it’s more about great weather and floral selections, but summer or winter, we love to attend and read about that special celebration of love!
1. Always the bridesmaid…no longer! This one is definitely tried-and-true, but tends to represent some of the more unconventional stories of a bride who might have thought it wasn’t going to happen for her. See also: always the best man!
2. The jilted bride. Or, anyone left at the altar. This trope is great for high drama—a devastating betrayal on the “happiest day” that turns around into a Happily Ever After after all!
3. Runaway bride. This is the other perspective of the above. This bride isn’t necessarily commitment-phobic, and honestly if it feels so wrong that you’re running in the opposite direction, it’s probably best not to go through with it. She has her reasons and we want to read about them!
4. Mail-order bride. I’ll level with you, this was a trope I wasn’t sure I could love when I first dipped into romance. But this trope has some of the sweetest, most touching stories. Love doesn’t always happen at first sight. And…what if it does when you were expecting a different arrangement? This trope is definitely worth some exploration.
5. Marriage of convenience. Did I leave the best for last? That may be a matter of opinion, but this is another long standing favorite trope of ours! This is a big umbrella trope that covers so many wonderful scenarios that all follow a similar narrative of love appearing where it was least expected, and sometimes least wanted.
What bridal tropes to you love? Share with us in the comments below!
Comments ( 7 )
I spent the entire shutdown working. Had no time to wind down. I didn’t see my son much when school shutdown. My one co worker was told to stay home for 3 weeks so I picked up her hours. This year has been really crappy.
Ugh, Janell. Here’s hoping the rest of your summer is better.
Thanks for the info, Carol! Everyone is different in how they deal with the shutdown! I stay at home all the time since I don’t work so I haven’t been too effected but my shopping and errands sure have been effected!
Valri, I’ve been doing most of my shopping online. My local Target is still low on some items – mostly cleaning supplies. Grocery store is pretty much back to normal. Most of the dining in our town is outdoor. I can’t imagine have school-age kids!
Wow–getting your creative process on track must have been daunting–especially with “extra-large dog” glad to have you home. You don’t like coffee–I love coffee and have enjoyed my fortifying 2 cups in the morning even more than usual! How as COVID affected your story lines and characterizations? Best Wishes for all releases!
Interesting question, Virginia. You’ll have to tell me if the tone of my “COVID” books changed any! LOL
Life has changed so much! My dad passed Feb 2. The assisted living facility my folks were at went into hardcore lockdown the beginning of March. Mom couldn’t leave her apartment for 4 months! She was on the third floor, Will be 89 in two months & doesn’t use the phone. My husband and I remodeled the lower level completely and moved her in with us July 1. What a life change and difficult transition for the 3 of us! But we’re working thru it!