'Wedding Every Weekend' premiered on Aug. 15

Hallmark Channel Just Showed Its First Same-Sex Wedding Movie

Hallmark Channel has premiered a movie with its first LGBTQ+ wedding. On Aug. 15, the network aired Wedding Every Weekend, a film that features a lesbian couple's wedding ceremony. The Hallmark Channel Original Movie received backlash from some groups, but the network defended the project and viewers shared their enjoyment of the film on social media.

Wedding Every Weekend has established new ground on the Hallmark Channel.

On Saturday, Aug. 15, viewers tuned in to the Hallmark Summer Nights film, which follows "Nate" and "Brooke" as they attend weddings on four consecutive weekends. Wedding Every Weekend explores a developing romance between the pair, but it was especially notable for its depiction of a lesbian wedding — a first for the Hallmark Channel.

Hallmark Channel's first same-sex wedding movie, Wedding Every Weekend

Hallmark Channel regulars Paul Campbell and Kimberley Sustad star in the movie, with Carmel Amit and Makayla Moore as the same-sex couple who tie the knot.

The lead-up to Wedding Every Weekend was not without controversy, however. Hallmark Channel faced critics who voiced disapproval of the film for various social, political, and religious reasons. But the network, which produced the Hallmark Channel Original Movie, stood behind the project and its inclusive representation.

"We are proud of our movie, Wedding Every Weekend," Hallmark Channel wrote on Twitter. "Our priority at Hallmark Channel is to develop a broad mix of content, characters and stories in order to create a Hallmark experience where everyone feels welcome."

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Hallmark Channel aims for inclusivity and allyship after controversy

Wedding Every Weekend also comes after Hallmark Channel was at the centre of anti-LGBTQ+ controversy in 2019. The channel had aired wedding-planning ads that featured imagery of same-sex weddings, only to pull them in response to an online petition by conservative group One Million Moms.

Hallmark Channel later expressed remorse for the decision, vowing to "better represent the LGBTQ community." On Aug. 15, Hallmark also released a statement to People, promising the impending announcement of new "projects featuring LGBTQ storylines, characters, and actors."