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Wedding Crashers movie cover Movie Locations Guide

Where was Wedding Crashers filmed?

2005

City Locations

California, Maryland, Washington (USA)

Location Types

Hotel, Restaurant, Church, Museum, House

Location Styles

Beachfront, Colonial, Cape Cod, Hotel Style, Mediterranean, Mid-century Modern

About Wedding Crashers

The charismatic Owen Wilson, coupled with the comedic genius of Vince Vaughn, along with the overall charm of the film, contributed to making "Wedding Crashers" one of the standout comedies of 2005. This American romantic comedy, directed by David Dobkin, features a stellar cast including Owen Wilson, Christopher Walken, Vince Vaughn, Isla Fisher, Rachel McAdams, and Bradley Cooper. The film follows two friends (Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn) who are professional wedding crashers; they crash weddings to meet hot women. They become involved in the lives of the Cleary family when one of them falls in love with the daughter of the Secretary of Treasury (Christopher Walken).

The movie narrates the tale of two divorce mediators, John Beckwith (Owen Wilson) and Jeremy Klein (Vince Vaughn). They have a peculiar hobby of gatecrashing wedding receptions during their off-duty weekends to enjoy complimentary food and beverages. After attending an extravagant high-profile wedding hosted by Secretary William Cleary, John finds himself attracted to Claire Cleary (Rachel McAdams), sister of the bride. They strongly bond with her father during their weekend stay at Cleary's estate.

The film "Wedding Crashers" debuted on July 15, 2005, and was widely praised. The following year, it led the MTV Movie Awards nominations, earning five nods, including Best Movie. The film bagged three awards: Best Movie, Best On-Screen Team for Vaughn and Wilson, and Breakthrough Performance for Isla Fisher. Regarding box office success, it ranked as the sixth top-grossing film of 2005 in the United States and achieved a milestone by being the first R-rated comedy to rake in $200 million at the domestic box office.

Wedding Crashers Locations

The Wedding Crashers featured the stunning backdrop of Maryland's Eastern Shore and the historic town of St. Michaels. This charming town was the site for the wedding reception scene, filmed at the Inn at Perry Cabin. The majority of scenes in the movie were shot in Maryland, offering a beautiful mix of colonial-era architecture and coastal landscapes that provide a perfect setting for this romantic comedy. The engagement scene takes place on board a sailing yacht near Annapolis, while other exterior shots were taken at Assateague Island National Seashore and Washington Monument in Washington D.C.

Visiting these iconic locations can be quite an experience for any movie buff and fans of The Wedding Crashers. Take a cruise on the Woodwind II boat to explore Annapolis and its surroundings, or go bird watching at Assateague Island National Seashore, where you can find some species of birds not seen anywhere else in North America. Stroll down Grand Avenue in Los Angeles to glimpse the Biltmore Hotel from the engagement scene or take photos with some of D.C.'s most recognizable landmarks, which were also featured in some shots from the movie.

Overall, visiting these filming locations for Wedding Crashers is worthwhile, as it allows one to explore some unique cultural sites while immersing oneself in their cinematic beauty.

John and Jeremy sit at the Lincoln Memorial scene in Wedding Crashers

Lincoln Memorial, 2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, DC

Jeremy Grey (Vince Vaughn) and John Beckwith (Owen Wilson), divorce mediators based in Washington D.C., have a unique hobby of "crashing" wedding receptions to meet and engage with women. Following their lively escapades at these weddings, there's a serene interlude where the duo sits at the Lincoln Memorial, reflecting on the morning's tranquility.

The filming location was at the real-life Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., which was completed in 1922. This site is now one of the most visited tourist attractions in D.C., with millions visiting it yearly to pay homage to America’s 16th President. The majestic Lincoln Memorial is a proud reminder of Abraham Lincoln's life-changing contributions to America – symbolically and historically. The monument has been carefully designed for maximum impact, from classic Greek architecture to beautiful sculptures and inscriptions.

In terms of proximity, the Lincoln Memorial is quite close to other major attractions. It only takes about 2 minutes to drive the 1.3 miles from the Lincoln Memorial to The White House. It's a relatively short journey from the National Museum of Natural History to the Lincoln Memorial, taking just 3 minutes.

The reception scene in Wedding Crashers

Inn At Perry Cabin, 308 Watkins Ln, St Michaels, MD

After a successful season of crashing weddings, Jeremy (Vince Vaughn) convinces John (Owen Wilson) to attend the wedding of the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, William Cleary's (Christopher Walken) eldest daughter. Upon arriving, they focus on Cleary's other daughters, Gloria (Isla Fisher) and Claire (Rachel McAdams).

The location where this scene was filmed is the Inn at Perry Cabin in Saint Michaels, Maryland. It began as a farm after the War of 1812 and is now a luxurious resort on Miles River, nestled within historic St. Michaels. The Inn at Perry Cabin provides guests with an authentic Chesapeake Bay experience full of generous hospitality, nautical heritage, and impressive views from its waterfront porch. Fans can spend a few days at the place featured in the movie, as it has remained unchanged and functional.

Visitors can take Highway 50 West from Annapolis to get to this location until it reaches Saint Michaels. It is only a 2-minute drive to the Inn at Perry Cabin from the center of Saint Michaels. In addition, visitors can get there via public transport with transfers in Grasonville and Easton.

Jeremy and Gloria at the beach scene in Wedding Crashers

Assateague Island National Seashore, 7206 National Seashore Lane, Berlin, MD

During the wedding reception, Jeremy (Vince Vaughn) and Gloria (Isla Fisher) sneak away to a nearby beach, where they become intimate, after which Gloria reveals that it was her first time. Following their encounter, Gloria's infatuation with Jeremy grows intense, leading Jeremy to implore John (Owen Wilson) to exit with him from the reception swiftly. The film portrays this sequence against a visually stunning backdrop of expansive sand dunes, crashing waves along the shore, and an ethereal mist in the air, making it an unforgettable scene in the movie.

The beach scene was shot at Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland. This unique barrier island is an iconic destination where visitors can explore its salt marshes, sandy beaches, maritime forests, and coastal bays. It has abundant wildlife, like wild ponies and deer roaming freely across its meadows. Aside from recreational activities like hiking and bird watching, visitors can enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences such as kayaking along the pristine waters or horseback riding along endless trails of white sand beaches for a truly unforgettable experience.

Assateague Island is located on the east coast of Maryland and Virginia, about 20 minutes south of Ocean City, Maryland. Visitors can choose to access Assateague from either state.

John attempts to sneak into Claire's engagement party scene in Wedding Crashers

Gold Ballroom, Biltmore Hotel, 506 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA

John (Owen Wilson) persistently tries to contact Claire (Rachel McAdams), but she consistently declines his attempts. He hopes for Jeremy's (Vince Vaughn) support as he tries to secretly attend Claire and Sack's (Bradley Cooper) engagement party, but he's found out and assaulted by Sack. The scene is filled with boisterous and frenzied events that stand out as some of the most unforgettable moments in the film.

The Gold Ballroom in Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles was chosen as the backdrop for the engagement party scenes. This luxurious hotel opened in 1923 and features an eclectic mix of architectural styles which pay homage to Los Angeles' Castilian heritage. It's easy to see why this stunning location was chosen for this iconic movie scene. It adds elegance and grandeur to the movie.

The hotel is located near Downtown Los Angeles and can be easily accessed via public transport or car. Several nearby parking lots are also available for those who drive.

John spots Jeremy and Gloria scene in Wedding Crashers

3198-3100 P St NW, Washington, DC

Following the disaster of the engagement party, John (Owen Wilson) challenges Jeremy (Vince Vaughn) about leaving him in the lurch, only to find out that Jeremy has been maintaining his relationship with Gloria (Isla Fisher) in secret. Feeling deceived and heartbroken, John plunges into a deep depression, attends weddings unaccompanied, and develops a nihilistic and suicidal tendency. The suspense intensifies as John emotionally explodes upon Jeremy's revelation that he has been covertly involved with Gloria.

The confrontation between Jeremy and John scene was filmed at 3198-3100 P St NW, Washington. This area is characterized by various architectural styles, particularly from the late 19th to early 20th centuries. Notably, this area has an Italianate-style house and a Victorian townhouse. Fans can easily visit this site as scenes were filmed outside the house.

Tourists can find this location since it's located right alongside Montrose Park, with public access points nearby. For those looking to visit the exact spot where the scene was filmed, a map will lead you directly to it.

John confesses his love to Claire scene in Wedding Crashers

Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1757 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA

At the funeral, John (Owen Wilson) begins to question his views on love and matrimony upon witnessing the sorrow of the bereaved widow. John swiftly goes to Jeremy's (Vince Vaughn) wedding, making a surprise entrance in the middle of the ceremony, much to Jeremy's joy. His unexpected appearance disturbs Claire (Rachel McAdams), leading John to openly apologize for his earlier actions and declare his love for her in front of all the attendees. Sack (Bradley Cooper) attempts to intervene, but Claire firmly declares she cannot marry him. When Sack threatens John, Jeremy steps in and neutralizes him, paving the way for John and Claire to share a kiss.

The final scene was filmed at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Pasadena, California, the first Presbyterian Church established there in 1875. It is a Modern-style sanctuary designed by architect John Gougeon of Gougeon-Woodman and completed in 1976.

It can easily be accessed by car or public transport from Los Angeles or nearby cities. Alternatively, guests can take a taxi or ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft to get there. Once onsite, visitors can explore the grounds to see where this romantic scene was filmed and admire the church's beautiful architecture up close.

Conclusion

Wedding Crashers is a film that offers a delightful mix of comedic slapstick and heartfelt moments. The script was smartly written to incorporate many plotlines, each of which intersects in witty ways throughout the movie.

The movie utilized an array of remarkable filming locations across the United States, contributing significantly to the film's comedic triumph, from the charming city of Washington, D.C., where iconic landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial and National Mall set the stage for the protagonists' hilarious antics, to the vibrant nightlife and beach scenes in Miami, Florida, which added a dose of excitement and extravagance to the plot.

The picturesque countryside of Maryland's Eastern Shore lent a tranquil and idyllic backdrop to the wedding festivities, starkly contrasting the characters' outrageous behavior.

By skillfully incorporating these notable landmarks, cities, and states, Wedding Crashers infused authenticity into its storytelling and leveraged each location's distinct personalities to enhance the comedic dynamics. The diverse settings resonated with audiences, adding depth and charm to the film and ultimately playing a pivotal role in its resounding success at the box office and its enduring popularity over time.