While getting married is supposed to be among the happiest days of your life, the entire process comes with its fair share of stressors. From ensuring that the couple’s attire fit perfectly to managing guests’ dietary restrictions to juggling multiple playlists, a wedding can make even the most organized duo crumble under the weight of expectations. Now, imagine dealing with all of the above plus the addition of dangerous, gun-wielding pirates taking over the private island you’ve rented for your nuptials. That’s the high-stakes premise behind “Shotgun Wedding,” the new action film meets rom-com starring Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel. The actors play Darcy (Lopez) and Tom (Duhamel), the engaged couple who bring several dozen of their closest friends to a remote private island in the Philippines for their wedding weekend.
Being the genre-bending movie that it is, the costume design had to be just as flexible – ready to take on any intense, high-flying stunt – explains costume designer Mitchell Travers. The team worked with Galia Lahav for the bride’s wedding gown and Musika for the groom’s tuxedos, producing multiples of the same looks to keep up with the demanding action scenes. “We had nearly 30 of each of those costumes,” Travers tells POPSUGAR.
While Lopez’s wedding dress was certainly the pièce de résistance, Travers reveals an interesting fact about her combat boots – a divisive shoe choice to pair with a bridal gown, to be sure. “Jennifer’s combat boots are custom built for her with a three-inch hidden heel inside,” he reveals. “They help with her height difference from Josh and make a gorgeous leg. I never imagined she’d be able to run down the beach in a three-inch heel, but she sure did – I couldn’t believe my eyes.”
Keep scrolling for our full interview, where Travers reveals the meaning behind Darcy’s wedding gown, her bright-hued necklace, her ex’s ensemble, and more.
Related: Watch J Lo’s Wedding Gown Transform Into a Thigh-High-Slit Halter Dress
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The Wedding Attire
Darcy’s gown undergoes an impressive evolution throughout the film, transforming from classic princess ballgown to spaghetti-strap sheath dress as different pieces get ripped or torn apart. “We really wanted it to have a life of its own and for it to become a reflection of the journey the bride has been on,” Travers explains.
As for Tom, he eschews a more traditional black or white tuxedo in favor of a retro-inspired, soft-pink hue. The unconventional choice stands out for sure, which was precisely the point, according to Travers.
“I knew it would be much easier to track him through the jungles in pink versus a traditional black tuxedo and would also show the wear and tear so much better,” he says, adding that he also thought pink “would be such a handsome color” on Duhamel.
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The Combat Boots
During one scene, Darcy acquires one of the pirate’s combat boots, which then become a tough, edgy accessory to her otherwise classic white bridal look. They also featured a secret style detail, Travers reveals.
“Jennifer’s combat boots are custom built for her with a three-inch hidden heel inside,” he says. “They help with her height difference from Josh and make a gorgeous leg. I never imagined she’d be able to run down the beach in a three-inch heel, but she sure did – I couldn’t believe my eyes.”
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The "Something Blue"
Beyond the couple’s wedding attire, another standout look is in the film’s opening scene, which takes place at their rehearsal dinner. Tom is running late, and Darcy is stressed with tensions between family and friends – even so, she looks radiant in a strapless, sunshine-yellow dress and a bright-blue necklace.
“The dress is Carolina Herrera worn with an archival turquoise Bulgari necklace – it was my idea of ‘something blue,'” Travers says. “I loved that screaming yellow color on Jennifer for a scene where she is filled with anxiety and feels the pressures of having all eyes on her. It was impossible not to stare at that gorgeous cut and color on her.”
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The Wedding Guests' Looks
The rest of the cast had seven versions of the same costume due to the stunts and water work. Those looks were shopped through various retailers, and Travers pulled a significant amount of inspiration from “Clue,” the 1985 comedy mystery based on the board game of the same name.
In “Clue,” each of the six core characters has a certain look that defines who they are for the duration of the film. It’s a challenge in its own right to be able to convey a character’s personality with limited costume design.
“I loved the specificity of the costumes in that film and the heightened party aesthetic that makes them all feel singular,” Travers says. “I wanted to give a sense that everyone has put their best foot forward for this big wedding and exaggerated elements of their own personal style.”
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The In-Laws' Ensembles
Take, for instance, Carol (Jennifer Coolidge), whose mother-of-the-groom ensemble features a ruffled, off-the-shoulder floral dress paired with an oversize, wide-brim hat. Her wedding-day outfit was designed to be just as boisterous as she is, taking up “as much space as possible,” Travers says.
“She needed to look like enthusiasm personified, and Coolidge and I had a great time finding shapes that looked like someone trying to be a Hollywood star at a resort wedding,” he shares. “We knew we wanted it to feel like you could almost see the Pinterest board Carol’s been working on as she thought about the wedding. All the ideas at the same time with no editing.”
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The Ex's Fashion Faux Pas
Travers’s favorite elements to play around with were the differences between the bride’s family and the groom’s family. It was important to send the message that Darcy’s family has traveled for many destination weddings before, but it’s the first time for Tom’s family.
“Darcy’s family color palette is more luxurious and refined, while Tom’s family is a bit more flat and tonal,” he says. “I also loved the idea that Lenny [Kravitz]’s character, Sean, would wear white to a wedding.”
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The "Shotgun Wedding" Dress and Tux
Overall, despite the many obstacles the “Shotgun Wedding” costume team faced, the payoff has been worth it, Travers shares, especially now that their hard work is out for audiences to enjoy.
“We were creating 28 couture gowns in the midst of a global pandemic, which shut down the supply chains,” he says. “It was a challenge to make one dress when we were filming this, never mind 28. We were also doing work on Zoom in different time zones – an uphill but worthy endeavor.”
