Bridesmaids is a 2011 comedy film starring Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Melissa McCarthy. The film is set in Milwaukee and Chicago, with most of the filming taking place in Los Angeles. The story follows Annie, a single woman in her mid-30s whose life is falling apart after the failure of her bakery business. Despite her personal struggles, Annie is thrilled to be maid of honour at her best friend Lillian's wedding. However, she finds herself in competition with Helen, another bridesmaid and Lillian's wealthy and beautiful new friend, over who is the bride's best friend. The film received critical acclaim and broke records, and is considered a landmark in female-led comedy films.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Year of release | 2011 |
Genre | Comedy |
Setting | Milwaukee and Chicago |
Filmed in | Los Angeles and Milwaukee |
Main character | Annie Walker |
Main character's profession | Pastry chef |
Main character's actor | Kristen Wiig |
What You'll Learn
The film is set in Milwaukee and Chicago
The 2011 comedy Bridesmaids is set in Milwaukee and Chicago. The film follows Annie Walker (Kristen Wiig), a thirtysomething woman living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After her bakery, Cake Baby, fails, Annie loses her boyfriend and her savings, and ends up working in a jewellery store. She shares an apartment with her flatmates, British immigrant Gil and his visiting sister, Brynn, who overstays her welcome and reads Annie's journal. Despite her personal and professional setbacks, Annie's life takes a positive turn when her best friend, Lillian (Maya Rudolph), gets engaged and asks Annie to be her maid of honour.
Lillian's fiancé is a wealthy banker living in Chicago, and the engagement party is held at the Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California. The film showcases a mix of locations in Milwaukee and Chicago, including the exterior of 'Cholodecki's', the jewellery store where Annie works, which was filmed at an empty store on Mitchell Street in Milwaukee. Annie's apartment in the film is located on South Kinnickinnic Avenue in Milwaukee, and the bar where she goes with Officer Nathan Rhodes (Chris O'Dowd) is Norman One Step, located on West Cameron Street in Milwaukee.
The film also features several locations in Chicago, such as the Chicago River and the Navy Pier. However, many of the scenes were shot in Los Angeles, including the bridal store 'Belle en Blanc', which was filmed in downtown Los Angeles. While the film is primarily set in Milwaukee and Chicago, it showcases a variety of locations within these cities, highlighting the range of experiences and settings that the characters navigate throughout the film.
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Most of the film was made in Los Angeles
The 2011 comedy Bridesmaids, starring Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Melissa McCarthy, was mostly filmed in Los Angeles. The film follows Annie, a maid of honour whose life unravels as she leads her best friend Lillian and a group of bridesmaids through the lead-up to her wedding. While the film is set in Milwaukee and Chicago, only a few establishing shots were filmed in these cities.
The film makes use of several locations in Los Angeles. The exterior of the bridal store 'Belle en Blanc' is a veteran film location, having appeared in Se7en, Spider-Man 2, and The Mask. The store can be found on Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles, where Lillian embarrasses herself in a posh designer wedding dress. The bar where Annie takes Lillian and the bridesmaids for authentic Brazilian cuisine is La Sirenita, a Mexican restaurant in Van Nuys. The tennis court where Annie and Helen have a competitive match is part of the Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks.
The film also features several residential locations. The home of Ted, Annie's friend with benefits, is in the centre of the Hollywood-friendly San Fernando Valley in Encino. The apartment Annie shares with Gil and his sister is located in Bay View, to the south of the city. The posh Harris estate, where Annie loses her temper at the Parisian-themed bridal shower, is in Pasadena. Finally, the wedding is held at the Los Angeles State and County Arboretum in Arcadia, a botanical garden that has stood in for tropical jungles in several films and TV shows.
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The bridal store scene was filmed in downtown Los Angeles
The 2011 comedy film Bridesmaids, starring Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Rose Byrne, features a bridal store scene that was filmed in downtown Los Angeles. Specifically, the exterior of the swanky bridal store 'Belle en Blanc' was shot at 650 South Spring Street, in the heart of downtown Los Angeles.
The film showcases the story of Annie, played by Kristen Wiig, who is chosen as the maid of honour for her best friend Lillian, played by Maya Rudolph. As the movie unfolds, Annie finds herself in a competition with another bridesmaid, Helen, played by Rose Byrne. The bridal store scene is a pivotal moment in the film, as it captures the growing tension and competitiveness between Annie and Helen for Lillian's attention.
The exterior of 'Belle en Blanc' is an iconic location, housed in a former Bank of America building. This very building has graced the screens of several other notable films, including Se7en, Spider-Man 2, Marathon Man, and The Mask. It is located on Spring Street, where Lillian, the bride-to-be, embarrasses herself in a posh designer wedding dress.
The bridal store scene was strategically filmed in downtown Los Angeles to capture the vibrant and diverse atmosphere of the city. The area boasts a mix of historic buildings, stylish cafes, and unique artisanal shops, all of which contribute to the energetic vibe of the film. This particular location was chosen not only for its visual appeal but also for its ability to transform into a different setting, showcasing the versatility of Los Angeles as a filming destination.
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The engagement party was filmed at Sherwood Country Club, Thousand Oaks
The engagement party in Bridesmaids was filmed at the Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California. The exclusive club provided the setting for one of the film's most memorable scenes, introducing viewers to Lillian's bridal party.
The country club, located at 320 West Stafford Road, is a private, members-only golf and country club founded by David H. Murdock in 1987. The club was designed by the legendary golf course architect Jack Nicklaus and features an 18-hole championship golf course. It boasts breathtaking views of the Santa Monica Mountains and the surrounding picturesque landscapes.
The engagement party scene was a pivotal moment in the film, as it marked the first time that audiences were introduced to all of Lillian's bridesmaids: Rita, Becca, Megan, and Helen. The scene set the tone for the comedic dynamics and tensions that would unfold throughout the movie.
The Sherwood Country Club also served as the location for the tennis court scene between Annie and Helen, as well as the exterior of the final wedding venue.
To reach the Sherwood Country Club from Los Angeles, one would need to travel approximately 40 miles via US-101 N. The journey typically takes around one hour, transporting visitors from the bustling city to the serene surroundings of Thousand Oaks.
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The wedding was filmed at Los Angeles State and County Arboretum
The 2011 comedy Bridesmaids, starring Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Melissa McCarthy, was filmed in various locations in Los Angeles, California, Wisconsin, and Chicago, Illinois. The film's wedding scene was shot at the Los Angeles State and County Arboretum, a 127-acre botanical garden in Arcadia, California.
The Arboretum's lush foliage has made it a popular filming location for movies and TV shows, including Tarzan, Fantasy Island, Marathon Man, and Anaconda. The garden's kitschy Queen Anne cottage, in particular, has been featured on-screen.
The Arboretum's address is 301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, California, and it is known for its diverse plant collection and beautiful landscapes. The botanical garden is open to the public and offers a variety of activities and events throughout the year.
In addition to the Arboretum, other notable filming locations for Bridesmaids in Los Angeles include South Spring Street, downtown Los Angeles, for the exterior shots of the bridal store, and the Redwood Bar & Grill on West Second Street, downtown Los Angeles, for the interior shots of the bar where Annie and Rhodes go drinking.
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Frequently asked questions
Bridesmaids is set in Milwaukee and Chicago.
The film was mostly made in Los Angeles, with some scenes shot in Milwaukee and Chicago.
The film is set in various locations in Milwaukee, including the exterior of Cholodecki's Jewellery Store on Mitchell Street, Annie's apartment on South Kinnickinnic Avenue, and a bar on West Cameron Street.