
In the season 7 episode The One With the Cheap Wedding Dress, Monica buys a wedding dress on sale that she wants, but another bride-to-be, Megan Bailey, threatens her to try and get it back. Monica ultimately ends up 'winning' the dress, but fans noticed that the dress she bought was not the same as the one she tried on at the boutique, and also not the same as the one she wore on her wedding day. This was because the original dress didn't fit, so a backup dress was used instead. Additionally, Monica gave up the original dress she bought so that Chandler could have the Swing Kings play at their wedding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for changing the wedding dress | Monica gave up the original dress to make Chandler happy as the other bride-to-be, Megan, booked the Swing Kings on the day of Monica and Chandler's wedding and wouldn't cancel them unless Monica gave her the dress |
| Reason for wearing Emily's wedding dress | Monica picked up the dress for Emily and wore it while doing the dishes |
| Difference in dresses | The original dress had a halter neck with beading along the bodice. The second dress had a sweetheart neckline and was made of lace |
| Dress designer's opinion | The costume designer, Debra McGuire, wanted to design Monica's wedding dress but couldn't due to time constraints and the lack of fittings |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Monica wore Emily's wedding dress while doing chores
In the season seven episode "The One With the Cheap Wedding Dress," Monica buys a wedding dress on sale that she adores. However, she ends up giving it away to another bride, Megan Bailey, in exchange for booking Chandler's favourite band, the Swing Kings, for their wedding. Monica ultimately wears a different dress for her wedding with Chandler.
In the same episode, Monica is tasked with picking up a wedding dress for Ross' second wife, Emily. Monica wears Emily's dress while doing chores, including the dishes. This dress is different from the one Emily ultimately wears at her wedding.
Some viewers have criticised Monica's decision to wear Emily's wedding dress while doing chores as disrespectful. However, it is worth noting that Monica did not wear the dress outside or to a formal event; instead, she was simply doing household tasks. It is not uncommon for people to wear comfortable or old clothing while performing chores, and Monica may have felt that wearing Emily's dress allowed her to test it out or ensure its comfort and practicality.
It is important to remember that "Friends" is a fictional television show, and the wardrobe choices, including Monica wearing Emily's wedding dress while doing chores, were likely made to create entertaining and memorable scenes. The costume designer for "Friends," Debra McGuire, has spoken about the challenges of designing and fitting wedding dresses for the show, especially given the time constraints and the cast's aversion to fittings.
Veil and Wedding Dress: Altering the Perfect Match
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Monica chose a different dress to make Chandler happy
In the episode "The One With The Cheap Wedding Dress", Monica buys a wedding dress on sale that she adores. However, another bride-to-be, Megan Bailey, wants the same dress and threatens Monica to try and get it back. Monica ultimately wins the dress, but fans noticed that it was not the same dress she had tried on earlier. The original dress had a halter neck and beading along the bodice, while the one she fought over had a sweetheart neckline and was made of lace.
Ultimately, Monica decides to give up the discounted dress in exchange for Megan's booking of the Swing Kings, Chandler's favourite band, for their wedding. Monica wanted to make Chandler happy and create a positive memory associated with the band, as he had once shared that dancing with Monica to their music was the first time he knew she was the one he "wanted to dance all his dances with".
Monica's decision to prioritise Chandler's happiness over her dress is a heartwarming gesture that showcases her love and selflessness. She recognised that the band held a special significance for Chandler and was willing to compromise to ensure he had a memorable wedding day. This act of kindness strengthened their relationship and demonstrated Monica's thoughtful and considerate nature.
While the dress change may have been a narrative choice to create conflict and resolution in the episode, it also served to highlight Monica's character development and her commitment to making Chandler happy, even if it meant sacrificing something she wanted. This storyline added depth to their relationship and provided a touching moment that emphasised the importance of compromise and selflessness in a partnership.
Streamlining Wedding Address Organization
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$54.99

Monica's dress was changed due to a pregnancy
Monica's wedding dress was changed due to a pregnancy. In the season seven episode "The One With the Cheap Wedding Dress," Monica buys a wedding dress on sale, but another bride-to-be, Megan Bailey, threatens her, trying to get it back. Monica ultimately wins the dress with some help from Phoebe and Rachel. However, eagle-eyed fans noticed that the dress she won was not the same as the one she tried on initially. The original dress had a halter neck and beading along the bodice, while the one they were fighting over had a sweetheart neckline and was lace.
The reason for this change was revealed by the show's costume designer, Debra McGuire, who explained that the original dress wouldn't fit. McGuire said, "I made Emily's dress, but [the actress] was pregnant, if I recall correctly. So we had to jump through hoops to adjust for that. We had to change the neckline, and I remember having to make that little jacket for her, probably to mask the fact that it wasn't the same dress."
In the end, Monica gave up the discount dress to make Chandler happy. Megan had booked the Swing Kings, Chandler and Monica's favourite band, and refused to cancel them unless Monica gave her the dress. Monica decided that making Chandler happy was more important than the dress and agreed to the exchange.
While the dress change may have been a plot point for Monica's character, it is interesting to see how the show's costume designer, Debra McGuire, had to adapt to the real-life situation of the actress playing Emily being pregnant. McGuire expressed her disappointment in not being able to design Monica's wedding dress, especially since she had made so many of the clothes for the show's first couple of years.
Black-Tie Wedding Attire: Dressing to Impress
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Monica's dress was altered to hide an actor's pregnancy
In the Friends episode "The One With the Cheap Wedding Dress", Monica's wedding dress was altered to hide actor Courteney Cox's pregnancy. The costume designer, Debra McGuire, recalled that she had wanted to make Monica's wedding dress but knew there was a chance that she wouldn't be able to do all the fittings and have it ready in time. Her fears were confirmed when the dress she had made didn't fit Cox in time for filming. As such, a backup dress from Warner Bros' wardrobe stock was used instead.
The backup dress was chosen because it fit Cox "like a glove", but it required some adjustments. The original dress had wider and frillier straps, and the backup dress had a completely different neckline and bodice. McGuire also had to make a little jacket to go with the dress, probably to mask the fact that it wasn't the same dress.
In the episode, Monica ends up giving away the original dress she wanted so that Chandler can book the Swing Kings, his favourite band, to play at their wedding. Monica ultimately decides that making Chandler happy is more important than the dress.
Wine Country Wedding: Dress to Impress
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$208.7 $239

Monica's dress was changed for a backup that fit better
In the Friends episode "The One With The Cheap Wedding Dress", Monica buys a wedding dress on sale that she wants, but another bride-to-be, Megan Bailey, threatens her, trying to get it back. Monica ultimately ends up "winning" the dress, but fans noticed that it was not the same dress she was trying on before. The original one had a halter neck with beading along the bodice, while the one they were fighting over had a sweetheart neckline and was made of lace.
The costume designer for the show, Debra McGuire, explained that the dress originally designed for the episode didn't fit Monica's actor, Courteney Cox, so dresses from Warner Bros' wardrobe stock were used instead. McGuire was disappointed that her dress wasn't used, but she had her own store in Pacific Palisades at the time, and 50% of her business was weddings, so she was very busy.
In the end, Monica gives up the discount dress because she wants to make Chandler happy by booking the Swing Kings, his favourite band, for their wedding. Monica learns that Megan has booked the Swing Kings on the day of her and Chandler's wedding and won't give up the booking unless Monica gives her the dress. Monica decides that making Chandler happy is more important than the dress, so she agrees to the exchange.
Choosing a Wedding Dress: Body Type Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Monica changed her wedding dress because she wanted to make Chandler happy. Monica had booked the Swing Kings for her wedding, but Chandler's dream band was playing on another couple's wedding day. Monica gave up her dream dress in exchange for the band.
The original dress Monica tried on at the boutique had a halter neck with beading along the bodice. The one she fought over with Megan had a sweetheart neckline and was made of lace.
The backup dress was described as "classic and beautiful". It was a perfect fit for Monica and had a sophisticated look.
Yes, Monica wore Emily's wedding dress twice while doing the dishes. Monica had picked up the dress for Emily, and it was different in style from the one Emily ultimately wore at her wedding.











































