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Hallmark's "My Best Friend's Bouquet"--Chaley Rose, Superstitions, In-Laws, & Hopeless Romantics

Starring:  Chaley Rose and Nathan Witte

Released:  2020 (Fall Harvest)

Summary:  A hopeless romantic catches the bouquet at her friend's wedding, and she starts letting the bouquet toss convince her that an eligible bachelor is the one.

Image:  Crown Media

Who Is Chaley Rose?


Chaley Rose is best known for her role as Zoey in the drama series Nashville.  Hallmark fans remember her from A Christmas Duet which premiered during the 2019 Christmas season where she wowed us with her musical talent.  

Not only is Rose an accomplished singer and songwriter (too bad we didn't get to hear her perform any tracks in My Best Friend's Bouquet), but in high school, she was a cheerleader, gymnast, on the track team, and her school's first black homecoming queen.  What a woman!


Rose expounds on her heritage--her mom is half black and half white, and her dad is one-quarter white and three-quarters black, despite his fair complexion.  Not only is she beautiful, but Rose's performance in this Fall Harvest production earns her high marks among Hallmarkies.  She is playful, endearing, empathetic, relaxed, and natural.      

Unfortunately, Rose isn't slated to star in any holiday movies during the 2020 season, but let's hope we will see more of her in 2021.

Are You Superstitious?


This movie has a creative twist--the focus is on the power of a wedding bouquet to decide who will get married next.  We know this is the point of the bouquet tossing tradition anyway, but Hallmark takes it a step further and brings the wedding lore to life.

When Athena's wedding plans start falling apart, Josie assumes the blame for throwing a monkey wrench into fate.  If only Athena had caught Emma's bouquet instead of her, Athena wouldn't be dealing with crazy mishaps, like her engagement ring dropping into the pond, her future mother-in-law steamrolling her, or the wedding venue catching fire.

Despite the apparent maladies, we realize the bouquet knew what it was doing all along when it picked Josie to catch it.  She does get married next, and everything works out for Athena--her delayed wedding means she can finish her degree program.

Are you superstitious?  If so, share what superstitions you swear by in the comment section.

As for me, I'm not remotely superstitious because my faith in God means He directs my steps, as the Bible says.  When you know God is in control and guiding you, you can rely on Him--not rituals or old wives tales to decide your fate.


The Interfering Mother-in-Law


Any of you have an interfering mother-in-law?

Some of you may see your MIL as a second mom, but I bet many of you rolled your eyes and identified with Brian's mom in this movie--the kind who oversteps boundaries and interferes too much in your life.  When an in-law offers to pay your expenses, there are often strings attached.

Hallmark doesn't allow us to recoil from the controlling antics of Brian's mom for long.  When we learn she was once poor and couldn't have a wedding of her own, it helps us view her with more compassion.  Her heart is right.  She wants her son and daughter-in-law to have the dream wedding she never got to have.  She finally backs off, Athena is quick to forgive, and peace is restored.

By the way, is there anyone besides me who thinks Athena (Rebecca Olson) looks a little like supermodel Gisele Bundchen?

Gisele Bundchen

Rebecca Olson (photo by Liz Rosa)


My Favorite Scene


One of my favorite scenes from the movie is the part where Josie and Emma go wedding dress shopping with Athena.  It's the perfect "girls day out."  Every time Athena prepares to emerge from the fitting room, Josie and Emma pretend to play a variety of air instruments.  

The actresses engage so naturally with each other that they really seem like the best of friends.  We can picture ourselves out with our own friends doing the same antics.

If you think back to the Summer Nights bomb, Love on Harbor Island, do you remember the scene where Lily and her friend reenact their high school dance number in the kitchen?  It was so forced and embarrassing, and the acting was terrible.  It was nice to see Hallmark get it right in My Best Friend's Bouquet.

Image:  Crown Media

The Problem With Being A Hopeless Romantic


Josie does something many of us have done when looking for the right mate--she keeps a mental list of all the things she's looking for in a guy, but being able to check off the boxes doesn't mean you've found the right one.

Sometimes, our romantic expectations make it impossible for any human to fulfill.

Josie and Alex have known each other since college.  They are the best of friends, which is the perfect foundation for a lifelong commitment.  There's nothing better than marrying your best friend, especially when you have a lot in common.  Josie helps students find success through tutoring, and Alex helps communities via urban development and redesigning green spaces.  They are both do-gooders and the perfect match!


Alex struggles with communicating his feelings, and because of his hesitation, he nearly loses Josie to the wealthy and successful Will Forsythe, whom Josie thinks might be "the one" the bouquet is leading her to.  

When Josie insists Alex try online dating, she's surprised to feel a little jealous when he meets and connects with Marissa so quickly.

Single ladies, if you have your eye on someone and he takes your presence in his life for granted, let this be a good lesson for you.  Don't sit home and pine for him--go find someone else and see if he notices and cares!     

Josie finally realizes Alex has been the right man for her all along, he turns down the job offer in Chicago, and the two wed in the green space he most recently created.  

The bouquet really DID know what it was doing!

Image:  Crown Media

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