Rachel makes her way to London to declare her love to Ross while Phoebe tries to warn the others. Meanwhile, the rest of the gang attend the rehearsal dinner and prepare for Ross and Emily's wedding.
Tropes:
- Awful Wedded Life: Emily's father and stepmother don't seem particularly happy together, taking every opportunity to badmouth or snark at each other.
- Bedmate Reveal: It's early morning, Chandler's in bed, Ross runs in, ecstatic about his wedding, and he runs back out. Then Monica pokes her head out from under the covers and asks if Ross knew she was there.
- Berserk Button: After having listened to the entire Will They or Won't They? spiel, the unnamed passenger chastises Rachel's desire to interfere with the wedding. Rachel is unmoved, so he deliberately tweaks her by saying, "And by the way, it seems to be perfectly clear that you were on a break." He calmly puts his headphones back on, as she lets out a frustrated and offended gasp.
- Cliffhanger: The registrar asks Emily if he should continue with the ceremony, but we go to credits before finding out what she says.
- Continuity Nod: During his toast, Joey mentions meeting Ross at Central Perk.
- Distracted by the Sexy: Joey gets distracted making out with Emily's bridesmaid when he's supposed to be keeping watch for Rachel. She ultimately walks straight past them.
- Hypocrite: Rachel isn't wrong that Ross rushed with Emily due to rebounding off her, but her doing the same thing is why things with Josh ended so badly.
- Imagined Innuendo: When Ross's parents arrive to the rehearsal dinner:Judy: Oh sorry we're late, my fault, I insisted on riding the tube.Jack: Judy, the kids!Judy: Jack, that's what they call the subway.
- I Need a Freaking Drink: When Jack and Judy start making out in front of her Monica decides it's time to get drunk. She stops for a little while but after another guest mistakes her for Ross' mother she's seen knocking back the drinks again while Chandler tries to calm her down.
- I Want Grandkids: Ross finally gets his and Emily's parents to stop arguing by threatening them with "NO GRANDCHILDREN!" if they don't back down.
- I Want My Beloved to Be Happy: Rachel decides not to confess her feelings to Ross after seeing him and Emily happy together.
- It's All About Me: Emily's parents pad their wedding expenses with various home projects, including a wine cellar.
- Jerkass Has a Point:
- Ross's father has the same cheapskate attitude he always has regarding his son's wedding, but the fact is Emily's parents were trying to make him pay for several expensive remodelings of their house under the guise of decorating for Emily and Ross's wedding.
- The unnamed passenger next to Rachel on the flight may be blunt and rude about it, but he's absolutely correct that Rachel is being selfish by attempting to stop the wedding and if she really loved Ross, she'd let him go through with it. Ultimately, Rachel realizes that she actually can't bring herself to do it and just stays to watch.
- Made Myself Sad: During his best man toast, Joey ends up getting distracted talking about home and asks if they can please go back now. He gets over it, though, when an attractive bridesmaid expresses interest in him.
- Modesty Bedsheet: Amusingly Chandler also has the bedcovers pulled up over his chest while talking with Monica the morning after.
- No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Jack and Judy had opted to forgo the usual tradition of the bride's family paying for the wedding, only to see Emily's parents were trying to bilk expensive remodeling jobs out of them.
- Obnoxious In-Laws: The Gellers and the Walthams are cordial at first but once the issue of how to split the bill for the wedding comes up they begin sniping at each other and never let up.
- Oh, Crap!: Everyone In-Universe when Ross said the wrong name at the altar.
- Relationship Upgrade: This episode sets the stage for Monica and Chandler's romance, becoming the show's second Official Couple after Ross and Rachel.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: Rachel is on the receiving end of a particularly bitter one of these from the passenger sitting next to her who overhears her explaining her plan to another passenger. He's played by Hugh Laurie.Passenger: I just want to say that you are a horrible, horrible person!.. You say you love this man and yet you’re about to ruin the happiest day of his life! I’m afraid I have to agree with you friend "Pheebs". This is a- this is a terrible, terrible plan!
Rachel: But he has to know how I feel!
Passenger: But why? He loves this- this Emily person. No good can come of this. - Recognition Failure: Chandler says the guy that thought Monica was Ross's mother had also praised him for his "very moving performance" in Titanic (1997).
- Sex for Solace: Chandler and Monica hook up because she's depressed about the terrible night she's having during the rehearsal dinner.
- Small Role, Big Impact: One of Emily's relatives mistakes Monica for Ross's mother. Chandler trying to reassure Monica ultimately results in them sleeping together.
- Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace: Ultimately averted. Rachel actually arrives at the wedding shortly before the ceremony starts and, seeing Ross and Emily together, realises she can't actually go through with her plan to admit she loves him.
- Suspiciously Specific Denial: Monica and Chandler, when asked whether or not they've seen each other.
- Tempting Fate: Emily comes out in her wedding dress while Ross is trying to resolve another spat between their parents. She notes that it's bad luck to see her in her dress before the wedding, but Ross replies that "they've had all the bad luck they could have."
- Tough Room: Chandler's toast fails miserably because people either don't get his snarky references or just don't care. He's exasperated that they don't even react to him mentioning Monty Hall. Monica admits some of it was funny, but she didn't want anyone to think she was stupid for laughing out loud.
- The Un-Favourite: Monica gets another reminder of this when her parents meet Emily's parents.Judy: We know how expensive weddings can be, besides this may be the only wedding we get to throw. (pats Monica's shoulder)
Monica: Ha! A joke that's funny in all countries! - Wedding Episode: It's about Ross and Emily's wedding in England in an almost demolished church with their family and friends.
- Wham Line:
- "Repeat after me. I Ross." "I Ross." "Take thee Emily." "Take thee Rachel."
- Monica: Do you think he knew I was here?
- Wrong-Name Outburst: Ross saying the wrong name - Rachel -during his wedding vows.
