When you ask anyone what they would deem as a memorable moment on TV, the majority will mention a wedding or two. Some may remember the iconic wedding entrance at Jim and Pam’s in The Office. Others might recall Howard and Bernadette’s rooftop wedding could be seen on Google Earth in The Big Bang Theory.
However, there have also been several occasions where the weddings have been memorable – but for the wrong reasons. From the no-go Finchel wedding in Glee to Ted being jilted in How I Met Your Mother, here are the 10 most heartbreaking times a TV character was left at the altar.
Downton Abbey: Edith & Anthony
Lady Edith may have got her happy ending eventually on Downton Abbey, but boy did it take her a while to get there. Especially after the heartbreak she faced in her relationship with Anthony Strallan. Edith had a tumultuous relationship with the war veteran, who had already left her once before thanks to the meddling of her sister, Mary.
Still, Edith gave him a second chance and insisted that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. However, just as they were about to get married, Anthony decides that he couldn’t go through with the ceremony – insisting that he was too old for her and shouldn’t waste her life on him. He could have told her beforehand to save her from public embarrassment.
One Tree Hill: Lucas & Lindsey
Season 5 of One Tree Hill threw fans for a loop when it was revealed that Lucas and Peyton had broken up, Nathan and Haley’s marriage was on the verge of collapse and no one had kept in touch whilst they were apart. What was even more shocking was to find out that Lucas had begun a relationship with his book editor, Lindsey.
The pair quickly became engaged and were set to get married in “Hundred”, until Lindsey had an epiphany during the ceremony. She realizes that “the Comet” in Lucas’s new book is about Peyton and that he will always be in love with his ex. Although Lucas protests, Lindsey runs from the church and leaves him behind, heartbroken.
Pretty Little Liars: Aria & Ezra
Aria and Ezra were set to tie the knot in season 7 of the hit teen drama Pretty Little Liars. However, like everything else on the show, it doesn’t go to plan as Aria is left to believe that her fiancé has ditched her at the altar.
Aria is led to believe that Ezra had left her because of the argument they had the night before. Ezra had been angry with Aria for not telling him about her infertility diagnosis because she was worried about how he would react. The argument did end on a tense note, with Ezra walking away to clear his head. Although she’s unaware that he has been kidnapped, it is heartbreaking to watch Aria get her hopes up with every knock at the door.
Suits: Mike & Rachel
Although this was to be expected, it didn’t hurt any less when Mike called off the wedding to protect Rachel’s future. In the Suits episode “25th Hour”, Mike takes a plea deal to protect his friends from a future in prison. With the fraudster set to spend the next two years incarcerated, he and Rachel plan to get married before he goes.
However, Mike soon changes his mind when he spots Rachel’s parents, feeling guilty that their union could sabotage her plans to get into the bar. Although Rachel knows it is for the best, she’s still upset to watch as Mike drives away with Harvey.
Grey’s Anatomy: April & Matthew
Everyone knows that a Grey’s Anatomy wedding doesn’t go off without a hitch and it was proven to be true in the “Get Up, Stand Up”. In this episode, April is set to marry Grey Sloan paramedic Matthew. However, this wedding is also ruined when Jackson stands up and professes his love for the bride.
Japril fans rejoiced as the two fled from the venue. However, it has to be one of the most heartbreaking moments when you think about those left in the aftermath. Especially Matthew, who had treated them both with nothing but kindness and respect. The pair had humiliated him so much that Matthew requested a transfer to another hospital.
Buffy: Xander & Anya
Anya and Xander’s relationship may not be your conventional romance, but fans couldn’t help but empathize with the former demon after she was jilted at the altar. This all came about in the Buffy episode “Hell’s Bells” when Xander is manipulated by a demon, who targets his fears over his future with Anya.
Although Anya tries to reassure him that the visions were all lies and tricks, the damage has already been done. Since Xander is skeptical about the future, he doesn’t want to risk them coming true and decides that it would be best if he left. A heartbroken Anya then walks down the aisle alone while Xander tries to collect himself in a hotel.
Glee: Finn & Rachel
Finn did technically leave Rachel at the altar (or train platform in this case) after deciding that she needed to chase her dreams instead of putting them on hold. For the second half of season 3, fans watched as Finn and Rachel refused to listen to the protests that said they were too young to get married. They seemed ready to tie the knot until the writers threw a curveball in the finale.
Instead of driving to the venue on their wedding day, Finn dropped Rachel off at the train station and broke up with her. He then dropped the bombshell that he was joining the army whilst she was attending college in New York, upsetting her further. Finn eventually convinces Rachel to “surrender” and they share an emotional farewell.
How I Met Your Mother: Ted & Stella
Fans are well aware that Ted didn’t have much luck in finding love. He had his heart broken by many women, but the worst had to be when he was left at the altar. In the episode “Shelter Island”, Ted and Stella fight over his decision to invite Robin to the wedding, with the bride asking Ted to uninvite her because she’s his ex.
However, Ted soon finds out that Stella has unresolved issues when it comes to her past as she jilts him at the altar. Fans soon discover that after Ted made the effort to bring Stella’s daughter and ex to the wedding, Tony had persuaded her to leave Ted for him. The episode ends with a horrified Robin staring at the reconciled exes, while the gang comforts Ted.
Charmed: Piper & Leo
Another heartbreaking moment occurred in Charmed when Leo and Piper tried to tie the knot. In the episode “Magic Hour”, the couple try to elope without the Elders finding out. They believe that if they perform the ceremony during the eclipse, then there will be nothing the angels can do to stop them.
However, just as the ceremony is underway, Leo starts screaming in pain. He is then orbed out by the Elders, suggesting that they have somehow found out about the event. Piper and the sisters watch on horrified before Piper breaks down in tears at the thought of him getting punished.
Grey’s Anatomy: Cristina & Burke
Cristina and Burke’s wedding day has to be one of the worst events in the history of TV. Through season 3, fans watched as Cristina and Burke planned to get married. Although she wasn’t involved with the planning much, it was a big step for Cristina – who was known for being unsociable and distant with others.
However, the wedding didn’t go ahead when Burke decided that he couldn’t go through with it. He says that she was marrying him for the wrong reasons and that he was trying to mold Cristina into something she’s not. After canceling the ceremony, Cristina rushes to their home and finds all his stuff gone. She then breaks down in relief, forcing Meredith to cut her out of the dress.
