12 lessons we learned from soap weddings đŸ‘°đŸŽ©

EastEnders Ricky Bianca wedding

by Katy Brent |
Updated on

Can you Adam and Eve it?

Twenty-three years ago this month (7 March 1997, fact fans), Ricky Butcher and Bianca Jackson said 'I do'.

We remember it like it was yesterday – and we’re sure we’re not the only ones. After all, 22million viewers tuned in to watch the auspicious event, making it one of EastEnders’ biggest episodes ever.

They didn’t have the easiest relationship, but there was something endlessly endearing about the dynamic between the hapless, henpecked Ricky (played by Sid Owen) and the feisty short fuse that was Bianca (aka Patsy Palmer).

Sure, it’s been a rocky road for the on-screen pair, with more break-ups and make-ups than a ’90s boy band, but word is, Bianca’s set to make an imminent return to Walford.

No news about Ricky, but we live in hope.

Could wedding number three for the pair be on the cards if he comes back? It wouldn't be the biggest plot twist we've had from soap weddings...

EastEnders Ricky Bianca wedding
We will never give up hope of Ricky and Bianca reuniting (again). Never. ©BBC

You know you're in for a treat when there are soap spoilers telling you that two of the characters are going to get married soon.

After all, the course of true love never did run smoothly - and the path to happiness certainly is especially blimmin' rough if you're on a soap.

Check out: 12 lessons we learned from soap weddings

Gallery

Lessons we learned from soap weddings STACKED

Holloaks Holly and Damon wedding1 of 12
CREDIT: Lime Pictures

1) Don’t have sex with your fiancé’s mum

Similarly to lesson seven (don't have an affair while you're engaged) we wouldn't recommend sleeping with your fiancé's mum.Holly Cunningham and Damon Kinsella haven't had the easiest of relationships; they only got engaged because he mistakenly thought she was proposing to him, then he cheated on her, she forgave him and shortly before their wedding day Zack Loveday confessed his undying love for her.After jumping all those hurdles you'd think they would make it down the aisle but before they could even say 'I do' Damon revealed he slept with her mum Cindy Savage.Oh and to make matters worse, her step-dadDirk Savage was electrocuted and died later that day.

Hollyoaks Max and Steph wedding2 of 12
CREDIT: Lime Pictures

2) Don’t say: "It’s the happiest day of my life

Those little words are all it takes to ensure that something absolutely dreadful happens and it actually being one of the worst days of your existence. And someone will probably die. Also goes for: "Everything's going to be ok", "I'll never leave you" and: "I've never been happier."Like in Hollyoaks when Max Cunningham promised bride Stephanie Dean: "It's all going to be ok." It obviously wasn't. The ink had barely dried on the wedding certificate when Max was mowed down by a car as he tried to protect his brother from being hit. Weep.

EastEnders Ronnie and Nick wedding3 of 12
CREDIT: BBC

3) Don’t be pregnant

Unless you want your wedding thunder to be stolen by a newborn. If you're very pregnant at your wedding, prepare for your waters to break all over your nice posh frock. It should also be noted that heavily pregnant guests should be avoided for the same reason.Over in Walford, Janine Butcher, Ronnie and Honey Mitchell all said 'I do' while heavily pregnant. Honey's waters broke in church, Janine gave birth prematurely and Ronnie delivered her baby while in a coma. So, just saying.

Coronation Street becky and steve wedding4 of 12
CREDIT: ITV

4) Do ask the vicar to skip the 'any objections' bit

Because someone always pipes up. And they've never got anything nice to say. Especially Tracy Barlow.When her arch nemesis, Carla Connor, was set to get her happy ever after with Nick Tilsley, Tracy was only to happy to jump in and object. She revealed that the blushing bride had cheated on Nick with Robert.Tracy had a taste of her own medicine when Becky McDonald revealed Tracy had been lying about the cause of her miscarriage to hubby-to-be Steve McDonald. Only Becky held back and let the pair tie the knot before dropping the bomb. Nice work, Becky.

Emmerdale Robron wedding5 of 12
CREDIT: ITV

5) Don’t invite any long-lost relatives who have just turned up

You know they're only going to bring the police to your ceremony because they're on the run for murder. It's standard.That's exactly what happened when Robron tried to get married in the Woolpack in Emmerdale. Faith Dingle was arrested and the wedding nearly didn't happen. Luckily the boys got to say their vows in the end - and we've even heard rumours that they may have another wedding when Aaron comes out of jail. Best buy another hat...

EastEnders Ronnie and Jack wedding6 of 12
CREDIT: BBC

6) Do marry in church – the Soap Gods prefer it

If Ronnie Mitchell had been more traditional and opted for a nice church ceremony rather than a hotel (with a pool), she'd have lived to tell the tale.Also it's worth bearing in mind to keep your wedding dress fairly simple. You know, just in case you have to leap into a swimming pool and fish out your sister.It's important to note that drowning in a church is very unlikely. Unless someone holds your head under the Holy Water.

Emmerdale Ross and Debbie wedding7 of 12
CREDIT: ITV

7) Don’t have an affair while you’re engaged

Even if you think you've kept your secret pretty well, you can bet your bottom dollar that someone knows – and they've decided your nuptials is the perfect place to reveal all.Debbie Dingle learned this the hard way when her affair with new husband Pete Barton's brother, Ross, was revealed to all the guests at the wedding.Luckily (ish) the drama of the affair was diluted a bit when a helicopter crashed into the venue. Phew.

EastEnders Stella and Phil wedding8 of 12
CREDIT: BBC

8) Avoid rooftops

Particularly in Walford. It never ends well.Both Bradley Branning and Stella Mitchell ran up onto rooftops on their respective wedding days. Neither lived to tell the tale.

EastEnders Max and Kirsty wedding9 of 12
CREDIT: BBC

9) Don’t forget that you’re already married

With all the excitement about getting wed, it's easy to forget some stuff. Maybe the rings, the something borrowed – or that you've already got a spouse. It's easily done, eh Max Branning? And you, Peter Barlow.Both of these chancers already had wives when they attempted to marry Tanya Branning and Shelley Unwin. Must've just slipped their minds.

EastEnders Ian and Mel wedding10 of 12
CREDIT: BBC

10) Don’t lie about your child having cancer

Here's the thing, if you have to lie about your daughter having a terminal illness to make sure your betrothed actually goes through with the wedding, it's probably not meant to be.EastEnders' Ian Beale realised he was punching above his weight with Melanie Healey (who wanted to be with Steve Owen). He used Lucy's cancer scare to keep her by his side and even lied about her having cancer when she'd actually had the all clear.

Coronation Street Gail and Richard weddng11 of 12
CREDIT: ITV

11) Only marry someone local

If you go getting all cocky and start dating out of your post code, it's almost inevitable your hubby or wifey-to-be will be a serial killer. And that's best case scenario.When Corrie's Gail Platt met and married outsider, Richard Hillman, she didn't know that he would soon turn into the most prolific serial killer soap had ever seen.

EastEnders Sharon and Phil wedding12 of 12
CREDIT: BBC

12) Don't invite your ex

Who even does that? Well, everyone in soap to be honest. Phil and Sharon even had their wedding reception at The Vic, where of course Shirley is a licencee. And they wondered why it all ended in tears....

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Meanwhile, hasJacqueline Jossa dropped a big EastEnders return-shaped hint?

Taking to Instagram to celebrate the show's 35th anniversary, the 2019 I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! winner uploaded various snaps which documented her time on the show.

She captioned the post, "HAPPY 35th @bbceastenders! I had such an amazing time and LOVED Lauren Branning with ALL of my heart! I miss you lozza, maybe see you again one day!

"Amazing week of eps congrats everyone involved! Some pics of my time on the show! Wow. MemoriesđŸ–€."

And fans couldn't cope with the teasing, as one user wrote, "One of my favourite EastEnders characters of all time. Not just because of the story lines but because of the way you played her. Your acting was spot on from day 1", while another commented, "I was thinking is this a hint your coming back soon 😍😍."

A third said, "You have to come back especially now peter is too! ❀" and a fourth added, "Miss you being on EastEnders đŸ˜­â€ïž."

Fingers crossed, eh? Again.

What's your favourite soap wedding moment? Which wedding would you say is the most iconic? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

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