Before the Vow tells a bride and groom’s story the day before the wedding. We are switched between two scenarios; the groom and his groomsman and the bride and her bridesmaid. The fact that the groom picks up a prostitute the night before his wedding and the fact that the bride seems more excited by her future husband’s groomsman suggests things may not be as rosy as they seem.

Although Eva and Chucks appear to be in love, by reading between the lines we can see that the marriage is one that has been formed to strengthen family ties and broaden alliances. In the bride’s case it also appears to be a move to higher her family’s status. We hear Eva’s mother tell her that she is “lucky” to be marrying Chucks, meanwhile Eva’s self esteem is chipped at as she is made to feel like Chucks is doing her a favour by marrying her.

Her mother also supports her father’s stance. When she expresses doubt about marrying Chucks he tells her,

“You will be alright. [They] are a very good family.”

The parents give little support in terms of promoting their daughter’s emotional wellbeing it is assumed that status and financial security automatically results in happiness.