8 Most Shocking HBO Wedding Episodes, Ranked For many TV viewers, a wedding episode is a welcome respite of joy and celebration amidst the drama of a series. The ceremony and reception offer a chance for the characters to take a break from their usual travails and revel in the happiness of two people committing to spend their lives together. However, HBO has long been known for subverting audience expectations, and their treatment of weddings on some of their most acclaimed shows is no exception. Unlike the feel-good wedding episodes found on more mainstream networks, HBO's takes on this familiar trope tend to be more unsettling, uncomfortable, and even downright tragic. Whether it's the awkward meltdowns of Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm or the shockingly brutal betrayals that unfold at weddings in Game of Thrones, the channel has established a reputation for weddings that leave viewers cringing, gasping, or even in tears. To explore this phenomenon further, let's take a look at 8 of the most shocking HBO wedding episodes, ranked from least to most impactful. 8. Curb Your Enthusiasm - "The Ski Lift" (Season 8, Episode 2) Larry David's semi-autobiographical comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm is renowned for its painfully awkward humor, and the show's treatment of weddings is no exception. In the season 8 episode "The Ski Lift," Larry attends the wedding of his social acquaintance Cliff, only to become embroiled in a series of cringeworthy encounters and misunderstandings. From accidentally insulting the bride's weight to getting caught up in a dispute over the seating chart, Larry's trademark social ineptitude is on full display, culminating in an excruciating scene where he's forced to give an impromptu toast. While not the most devastating wedding on this list, it's a quintessential example of Curb's trademark discomfort. 7. Veep - "Congressional Ball" (Season 2, Episode 10) Selina Meyer, the acerbic and ambitious politician at the center of Veep, is not exactly known for her warm and fuzzy interpersonal skills. So it's no surprise that when her daughter Catherine gets married in the season 2 finale, it's a disaster of epic proportions. Amid the chaos of a Congressional ball, Selina struggles to connect with Catherine, leading to a tense, awkward exchange that encapsulates their dysfunctional relationship. The episode also features the surprise revelation of Catherine's wife, an unexpected twist that adds to the overall sense of disruption and discomfort surrounding the nuptials. 6. The Sopranos - "University" (Season 2, Episode 13) While not the central focus of the episode, the wedding of Meadow Soprano to her boyfriend Patrick in "University" is a notable entry on this list. As the young couple exchanges vows, the camera repeatedly cuts away to Tony Soprano, the family patriarch, who is visibly uncomfortable and distracted. This unease is understandable given the Soprano family's deep ties to organized crime, and the underlying tension serves as a sobering reminder of the realities that lurk beneath the surface of this seemingly joyous occasion. 5. Girls - "The Panic in Central Park" (Season 5, Episode 9) Lena Dunham's Girls is known for its unflinching portrayal of the trials and tribulations of young adulthood, and the show's treatment of weddings is no exception. In the season 5 episode "The Panic in Central Park," Marnie, one of the show's central characters, is set to marry her fiancé Desi. However, the episode takes a dramatic turn when Marnie has a meltdown and flees the ceremony, leading to a tense confrontation with her ex-boyfriend, Charlie. The resulting fallout not only casts a pall over the wedding but also serves as a poignant exploration of Marnie's struggles with commitment and self-discovery. 4. Game of Thrones - "The Rains of Castamere" (Season 3, Episode 9) Game of Thrones is renowned for its ruthless treatment of its characters, and the show's infamous "Red Wedding" episode stands out as one of the most shocking and devastating moments in television history. In "The Rains of Castamere," Robb Stark, his wife Talisa, and his mother Catelyn are brutally massacred during the wedding celebration of Edmure Tully and Roslin Frey. The scene is a harrowing display of treachery and violence, shattering the audience's expectations and leaving a lasting impact on the trajectory of the series. 3. Six Feet Under - "Twilight" (Season 5, Episode 12) The acclaimed HBO drama Six Feet Under is known for its poignant and nuanced exploration of death and the human condition. In the series finale, "Twilight," the show's central characters gather to attend the wedding of Claire Fisher, the youngest member of the Fisher family. However, the episode is tinged with a profound sense of melancholy as the characters grapple with their own mortality and the inevitability of change. The wedding serves as a bittersweet backdrop for the series' emotional conclusion, highlighting the show's signature blend of joy, sorrow, and the complexities of the human experience. 2. Succession - "This Is Not for Tears" (Season 2, Episode 10) The HBO drama Succession has quickly established itself as one of the most captivating and socially relevant shows on television, with its scathing examination of the dysfunctional Roy family and the cutthroat world of corporate power. In the season 2 finale, "This Is Not for Tears," the family gathers for the wedding of Shiv Roy and Tom Wambsgans. However, the event is overshadowed by the ongoing power struggle within the family, as well as the revelations and betrayals that come to light. The wedding serves as a microcosm of the show's themes of greed, ambition, and the corrosive effects of wealth and privilege, making it a truly unforgettable and unsettling viewing experience. 1. Big Little Lies - "You Get What You Need" (Season 1, Episode 7) The final entry on this list is the season 1 finale of Big Little Lies, titled "You Get What You Need." The episode culminates in the wedding of Celeste Wright and her abusive husband, Perry. What should be a joyous occasion is instead overshadowed by the simmering tensions and the characters' desperate attempts to conceal the dark secrets that have been bubbling beneath the surface. The wedding scene is a masterclass in building tension, as the audience is acutely aware of the impending violence and tragedy that looms over the proceedings. The episode's devastating conclusion solidifies Big Little Lies' status as one of the most impactful and emotionally charged wedding episodes in HBO's history. These eight examples demonstrate the network's willingness to subvert audience expectations and explore the darker, more unsettling aspects of a seemingly universal life event. By weaving elements of tragedy, dysfunction, and moral ambiguity into their depictions of weddings, HBO's shows have crafted some of the most memorable and thought-provoking television moments of the past two decades.