All of the Wedding Dresses in Reformation’s New Collection Are Under $500

Corie Hengst
Feb 06, 2016

It’s an understatement to say that weddings these days cost a pretty penny. One of the biggest 2016 wedding trends is that couples will spend on average $12,189 for their big days, which doesn’t even include the venue, wedding dress or rings. That’s why you’ll love hearing that Reformation clothing brand is launching an affordable bridal collection for spring with everything under $500. We know — it sounds too good to be true and for once, it is.

The collection hits stores and online February 22, and it seems to follow the same “off-the-beaten-path” bridal look of the fall line — only with a fresh spring palette. In regards to their goal for their Spring Collection, Reformation says, “If you’re not really the marrying type but have found yourself in a ‘wedding situation’, our new Spring Wedding Collection is here to help. It’s made up of dresses that will keep you looking like you on the big day – not a weird Pinterest version of you.”

And the collection includes lots of numbers for your bridesmaids too, including flow-y gowns in shades such as buttery yellow, pastel purples and pink. According to the brand, “They’re flying across the country, booking hotels, buying you presents and crying hysterically on command — all for you. Don’t make them wear ugly dresses they will never wear again.” Truer words have never been written. The countdown for launch has already begun on their site.

Take a sneak peek at some more images below.

Remember: spending less on your dress means splurging on your honeymoon.

How much are you planning to spend on your wedding dress? Let us know @BritandCo!

(Photos via Reformation)

We’re Drooling Over This Wildly Romantic Drip Layer Cake That’s Perfect for Your Bridal Shower

Pretty and demure or technicolor bright, drip cakesare definitely having a moment. There’s such drama in a colorful drip streaking down the side of a tall layer cake — it’s no surprise they’ve become so popular at weddings and showers. And it’s surprisingly simple to create your own. You just need to bake your favorite sponge cake, get creative with the decorations… and then decide on the all-important color of your drip! We used white chocolate ganache to create the drip in this recipe, and then tinted it using Americolor gel food coloring. We chose a medley of fresh fruit and herbs for the topper, but you can choose the decorations to suit your theme and occasion.

Ingredients:

For the cake layers

  • 10 1/2 ounces all-purpose flour
  • 11 1/2 ounces caster sugar
  • 2 ounces ground almonds
  • 1 Tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 Tablespoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 7 ounces unsalted butter, cubed
  • 3 large eggs
  • 6 1/2 fluid ounces whole milk + 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • extra butter and flour for the cake tins
  • four 6×3-inch cake tins
  • greaseproof paper

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease four 6-inch cake tins. Line the bottoms with greaseproof paper, grease again, and dust with flour. Shake out any excess.
  2. Put the flour, sugar, ground almonds, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, and salt in a food processor fitted with a metal blade or in the bowl of a stand mixer. Pulse or mix briefly to combine.
  3. Add the cubed butter, and pulse or mix again until mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
  4. Add the eggs and mix until incorporated. You might need to scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything is evenly mixed.
  5. Add the milk and vanilla extract and mix for 2-3 minutes until the batter is smooth. Again, scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  6. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake tins. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean and the cakes are springy to the touch.
  7. Leave the cakes to cool in the tins for 10 minutes, then carefully turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Cut any “domes” off the cakes using a serrated knife to ensure all layers are even and level.

Ingredients:

For the filling, frosting, and decorations

  • 14 ounces full-fat mascarpone
  • 8 1/2 fluid ounces heavy cream
  • 10 1/2 ounces icing sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 10 ounces store-bought lemon or passionfruit curd
  • 3 ounces fresh blueberries
  • a selection of fresh fruit such as figs, cherries, pomegranate, and blackberries to decorate
  • sprigs of fresh rosemary to decorate

For the drip

  • 3 1/2 ounces good quality white chocolate, finely chopped
  • 3 fluid ounces heavy cream
  • Americolor soft gel paste food colors

Instructions:

  1. Put all the mascarpone, heavy cream, icing sugar, and vanilla extract in the bowl of your stand mixer. Whisk on low speed to combine. Increase the speed to maximum and whisk for a minute. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Whisk again until you have firm peaks — about a minute more.
  2. Transfer the frosting to a large piping bag fitted with a plain round tip. Put the lemon curd in another piping bag.
  3. Add a little frosting on your cake stand or platter to secure the bottom cake layer. Pipe a ring of frosting around the perimeter of the cake. Pipe a ring of lemon curd on the inside, then another ring of frosting, and finally a dot of curd. Dot the curd with fresh blueberries.
  4. Repeat this until you’ve used all the layers. Add a large dollop of frosting on the top of the cake and use an offset spatula or pastry scraper to spread it on top of the cake in an even layer and then down the sides of the cake.
  5. Add more frosting to the sides of the cake as needed and use a pastry scraper to smooth it so that the layers are showing through for a naked cake effect. This is best done using a cake turntable. Chill the cake for at least 30 minutes.
  6. Put the white chocolate and heavy cream in a bowl and microwave in 10-second bursts until it starts to melt. Stir until completely smooth and glossy. Add a small amount of gel food coloring (or combinations of colors) until you achieve the desired shade. I used Americolor in electric pink, purple, and blue.
  7. Leave the ganache to cool — put in the fridge for 20 minutes if you’re in a hurry.
  8. Use a spoon or a squeeze bottle to add a little ganache near the edge of the top so that it drips down the sides. Test a small amount first to see how it drips down the cake so you can control the effect. Once you’re happy with it, add drips down the side of the entire cake.
  9. Fill the top of the cake with the ganache, starting at the center and moving outward. Chill the cake until the ganache is almost set before adding your decorations. It’s best to add any fresh fruit etc. at the last minute before you’re ready to present the cake.
  10. Artfully arrange fresh fruit — figs, blackberries, pomegranate seeds, and cherries — over the top of the cake. Add a few sprigs of rosemary for a rustic touch and prepare to wow your guests!

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease four six-inch cake tins. Line the bottoms with greaseproof paper, grease again, and dust with flour. Shake out any excess.

Put the flour, sugar, ground almonds, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, and salt in a food processor fitted with a metal blade or in the bowl of a stand mixer. Pulse or mix briefly to combine. Add the cubed butter and pulse or mix again until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.

Add the eggs and mix until incorporated. You might need to scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything is evenly mixed.

Add the milk and vanilla extract and mix for 2-3 minutes until the batter is smooth. Again, scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake tins. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean and the cakes are springy to the touch.

Leave the cakes to cool in the tins for 10 minutes, then carefully turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cut any “domes” off the cakes using a serrated knife to ensure all layers are even and level.

Put all the mascarpone, heavy cream, icing sugar, and vanilla extract in the bowl of your stand mixer. Whisk on low speed to combine. Increase the speed to maximum and whisk for a minute. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Whisk again until you have firm peaks — about a minute more.

Transfer the frosting to a large piping bag fitted with a plain round tip. Put the lemon curd in another piping bag.

Add a little frosting on your cake stand or platter to secure the bottom cake layer. Pipe a ring of frosting around the perimeter of the cake. Pipe a ring of lemon curd on the inside, then another ring of frosting, and finally a dot of curd. Dot the curd with fresh blueberries.

Repeat this until you’ve used all the layers. Add a large dollop of frosting on the top of the cake and use an offset spatula or pastry scraper to spread it on top of the cake in an even layer and then down the sides of the cake.

Add more frosting to the sides of the cake as needed, and use a pastry scraper to smooth it so that the layers are showing through for a naked cake effect. This is best done using a cake turntable. Chill the cake for at least 30 minutes.

Put the white chocolate and heavy cream in a bowl and microwave in 10-second bursts until it starts to melt. Stir until completely smooth and glossy. Add a small amount of gel food coloring (or combinations of colors) until you achieve the desired shade. I used Americolor in electric pink, purple, and blue. Leave the ganache to cool — put it in the fridge for 20 minutes if you’re in a hurry.

Use a spoon or a squeeze bottle to add a little ganache near the edge of the top so that it drips down the sides. Test a small amount first to see how it drips down the cake, so you can control the effect. Once you’re happy with it, add drips down the side of the entire cake.

Fill the top of the cake with the ganache, starting at the center and moving outward. Chill the cake until the ganache is almost set before adding your decorations. It is best to add any fresh fruit etc. at the last minute, before you’re ready to present the cake.

Artfully arrange fresh fruit — figs, blackberries, pomegranate seeds, and cherries — over the top of the cake. Add a few sprigs of rosemary for a rustic touch, and prepare to wow your guests!

The cakes can be prepared up to two days in advance and kept, well wrapped, at room temperature. Once the cake is filled, it is best consumed on the same day. Make sure you add the fruit, or any other decorations, just before you’re ready to present the cake to your guests.

Do you think there’s a drip cake in your future? Follow us on Pinterest for more wedding trends and ideas!

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11 Fun Holiday Sweaters That Give Your Ugly Christmas Sweaters A Run For Their Money

As much as I love an ugly Christmas sweater party, a small part of me still cringes at just how wacky they can be. There's a very fine line between 'ugly Christmas sweater' and 'playful holiday get-up' – but I think these fun holiday sweaters strike the perfect balance of the two. They're all colorful, festive, and so much fun to wear to any and every holiday get-together you've got going this year.

Scroll on for our favorite fun holiday sweaters for every party!

Anthropologie

1. The Violette Short-Sleeve Tinsel Sweater by Maeve

With 'tinsel' literally in this sweater's name, you'll be making a shiny statement wherever you wear this piece. It also comes in silver, gold, navy blue, and brown to suit your personal holiday style.

Abercrombie & Fitch

2. The A&F Madeline Crew Sweater

This femme 'fit boasts a bow that's reminiscent of holiday gifts and all things merry. It only helps that this sweater is super soft to the touch!

Urban Outfitters

3. Out From Under Catching Feelings Fairisle Print Cropped Pullover

This sweet holiday sweater has an adorable reindeer design along the front, so it's instantly going to fit in for any holiday party. You can also snag the pair of matching shorts to complete the coziness if you'd rather stay in.

Urban Outfitters

4. BDG Stella Star Graphic Oversized Pullover Sweater

With this sweater, you'll literally be a star. The color palette challenges holiday tradition in the best way, though you could totally make it a better fit for a party with a black mini skirt, tights, and metallic boots.

Anthropologie

5. Maeve Faux-Fur Collar Cropped Cardigan Sweater

Oh, so fancy! This cardi's collar is lined with faux fur to make it feel ultra-luxe. Layer it over your best party dress, and voila!

Nordstrom

6. ASTR the Label Velvet Bow Cardigan

Bring on more bows, please! This tie-up cardigan secures with two oversized velvet bows that speak to the holiday season flawlessly.

Gap Factory

7. Gap Factory Peanuts Relaxed Gap Logo Sweatshirt

Snoopy is truly a holiday icon, especially in his dramatic puffer jacket. Don the famous dog on this cozy sweatshirt – it's so much cuter than an ugly Christmas sweater, plus you'll earn mega compliments (everyone loves Snoop!) wearing it.

Free People

8. Free People Festive Frost Sweater

This fuzzy sweater is downright festive, thanks to the traditional stripes across the top half. We love it because it still leans very 'holiday,' but isn't explicitly so, since the color palette isn't just reds and greens.

Nordstrom

9. Vinyl Icons Martini Embellished Off The Shoulder Graphic Fleece Sweatshirt

Espresso martinis are a hallmark of the holiday season, and you simply can't change our minds on that. Get playful with your holiday sweater selection with this design that evokes a happy hour at any time of day, especially on a holiday break away from school or work!

Free People

10. We The Free Flower Patch Sweater

You'll be able to get a lot of wear out of this sweet red sweater around the holidays! The slouchy fit is ideal for pairing with even more winter layers to stay warm.

American Eagle

11. American Eagle Whoa So Soft Oversized Grinch Holiday Sweater

With Christmas' favorite villain on it, this super-soft sweater will always be in style around the holidays.

Subscribe to our newsletter for more holiday outfit ideas!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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10 Romantic Wedding Florals You Can DIY — Yes, Really!

As a bride, planning your wedding florals, your dress, and your cake (to name a few) can be magical and hectic in equal measure. We bet your budget is stretched thin! But never fear: Your DIY floral skills are going to pay off for you big time. We’ve rounded up beautiful, doable (really!) arrangements using both real and faux flowers that you or your crafty friends and family can do before the big day. The payoff: beautiful, cost-effective flowers that come out exactly the way you want.

DIY Floral Centerpiece

Statement centerpieces for every table can be a sinkhole for your budget. Cut out the middleman and assemble this graceful arrangement in minutes using faux blooms that you don’t have to worry about drooping before the dancing starts. (via Afloral)

Naked Cake With Flower Topper

This Pinterest-perfect cake is easy to assemble yourself, and a budget-friendly alternative to the fondant masterpieces at the bakery. Make this smaller display cake for photos and the ceremonial cutting, and serve sheet cake to your guests — no one will be any the wiser. (via Brit + Co)

DIY Hanging Flower Installation

Is your dream venue a bit of a blank slate, decor-wise? Suspend this colorful element to create a magical canopy of color and texture. (via Sugar & Cloth)

Geometric Floral Mobiles

No obvious altar in your amazing loft space? Create one in situ with these hanging metallic mobiles adorned with pretty flowers. They’ll frame your ceremony space, then add color to your gift table or bar. (via Brit + Co)

Ultra Violet Bouquet

The best part about this vivid DIY is the instructions apply to making an eye-catching bouquet in any color of the rainbow. (via Ruffled Blog)

DIY Boutonnieres

Give your groomsmen a punchy pop of color with these cheery boutonnieres. The sunny yellow color couldn’t be more perfect for a spring event! (via Paper & Stitch)

Succulent Flower Crown

Ditching the veil for a flower crown? This lovely version puts a trendy twist on the form with succulents, but the basic technique is one you can use with your favorite blooms. (via Brit + Co)

DIY Floral Photo Backdrop

This tropical stunner will make your photobooth pics the best on the ‘Gram. And by using a pegboard, you’ll have no trouble getting it to and from the venue. (via Lovely Indeed)

Hanging Floral Chandelier

Set the head table apart with this magnificent chandelier and give your wedding the wild romantic garden feel you’ve been dreaming about. (And yes, this is DIY-able, we promise!). (via We Are Scout)

Floral Hair Comb

Want that boho look but not ready to commit to a full-on flower crown? These smaller, more delicate hairpieces are easy to incorporate into your updo. (via Brit + Co)

Follow us on Pinterest for more DIY wedding inspo, and tons o’ tutorials!

This post has been updated.

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20 Hilarious Christmas Party Games That Will Make Your Family Reunion EPIC

Christmas party games are a fun way to connect, relieve some holiday stress, and bring some holiday cheer, way better than zoning out in front of the TV or navigating tricky political conversations. Whether you're hosting a holiday party or hosting the big day (or eve), here are some ROFL Christmas games for adults and kids to experience real holiday joy, perhaps create some new traditions, and take the best IG shots of the season.

Here are 20 exciting Christmas party games you can play with the whole family!

Shutterstock

Christmas Charades

Play charades with a holiday twist! Write down Christmas-themed clues (e.g., decorating a tree, Rudolph, Mariah Carey, building a snowman...) and have teams act them out. Keep it simple for kids, especially ones learning to read, or add some pop culture references (Buddy the Elf, anyone?) for adults-only parties.

Shutterstock

Name That Carol!

Play short snippets of Christmas songs and have guests guess the title. To up the challenge, use instrumental versions or hum the tune. For kids, you can turn this into musical chairs with holiday music!

Shutterstock

Christmas Trivia

Create trivia questions about Christmas movies, traditions, and songs. Bonus points for the most obscure facts! Here's a few to start:

  • Which country started the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree? (Answer: Germany)
  • In the song Twelve Days of Christmas, what is given on the 7th day? (Answer: Swans a-swimming)
  • Which country celebrates “Feliz Navidad”? (Answer: Spain or Latin American countries)

Shutterstock

Guess the Holiday Scent

Use candles, essential oils, or holiday-themed spices like cinnamon, peppermint, or pine. Blindfold guests and have them guess the scent. Throw in some unexpected surprises like egg nog, maple syrup or Scotch tape.

Shutterstock

Snowball NBA

If you're lucky enough to have a White Christmas, set up buckets outside labeled with different point values. Guests toss real snowballs, or “snowballs” like white cotton balls or small foam balls if you're playing indoors, into the buckets for points.

Shutterstock

The Awkward Gift Wrap Race

Find awkwardly shaped items around the house, like a basketball or stuffed animal, and provide rolls of wrapping paper. The fastest (and neatest) gift wrapper wins!

Shutterstock

Ornament Relay

Hand out spoons or chopsticks and teams have to race to get ornaments from one side of the room to another.

Shutterstock

Candy Cane Hunt

Similar to an Easter egg hunt, hide candy canes around the house or yard and let guests hunt for them. Wrap a few with dollar bills to up the ante .;)

Shutterstock

Holiday "Who Am I?"

Stick Christmas-themed names or characters (e.g., the Grinch, Jude Law, Holiday Armadillo, Charlie Brown) on players' foreheads. Guests ask yes/no questions to guess who they are. It's a great ice breaker for new friends!

cottonbro studio

Gingerbread Decoration Contest

Anything with a ticking clock adds a certain element of hilarity to it. Give your teams gingerbread houses with icing and decorations. Let the creativity flow, and award prizes for categories like “most festive” or “funniest" or "worst construction."

RDNE Stock project

Here are more Christmas games to play this season:

Jingle Bell Toss: Set up your college-era Solo cups into a bowling pin formation at opposite ends of the table. Each players tries to get large jingle bellsinto the opposite side’s cups. The first player to get a bell in each cup wins.

Human Hungry Hungry Hippo: Pair up, stand in a circle, and hand out plastic candy canes. Toss shatterproof Christmas balls in the middle of the circle. One person stands, holding the feet of the other person on the floor. The person on the floor tries to collect more balls with the candy cane than the other teams for a human version of Hungry Hungry Hippo!

Christmas Pictionary: Like charades, but on paper. Use pop culture references like "Hallmark Holiday Movie" or holiday-themed phrases like "Silent Night" for teammates to guess.

Left-Right Christmas Story Game: Make up a holiday story that includes the words "left" and "right" often. Guests pass a wrapped gift or object left or right as the words are mentioned, and whoever holds it at the end keeps the gift!

Christmas Bingo: Downloadbingo cards with holiday symbols or themes. Mark them off as they’re called out. First to yell “Bingo!” wins.

Reindeer Ring Toss: Use inflatable reindeer antler hats (or make your own) and toss rings to see who can "decorate" the reindeer.

Christmas Cookie Taste Test: Bake or buy a variety of holiday cookies. Blindfold guests and see who can identify the most flavors correctly.

Christmas Movie Emoji Quiz: Create a string of emojis that represent Christmas movies and have guests guess the titles.

Snowman Building Contest: If there’s snow, go outdoors for a snowman-building competition! If indoors, use toilet paper to “wrap” someone as a snowman.

Holiday Scavenger Hunt: Make a list of Christmas-related items like a red ornament, mistletoe, or a stocking and have guests search for them in teams.

Christmas Karaoke: Set up a karaoke machine or app and sing along to holiday classics. Bonus points for best singer or most dramatic performance!

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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'Wicked' Sing-Alongs Are Coming To Theaters! Here's When You Can Finally Belt 'Defying Gravity.'

Following in the footsteps of movie musicals like Mean Girls, Wicked might just be the 2024 movie we're most excited for. The fantastical design, beautiful songs, and enemies-turned-besties relationship between Elphaba and Glinda come together like magic. The show first opened on Broadway in 2003 with Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda. Stephen Schwartz, lyricist and composer, has teased the film since 2017, and every little bit of new news gets us more excited to finally travel to Oz on the big screen. Keep reading for everything we know about the gravity-defying fall movie!

Here's the latest news on 2024's brand new Wicked movie.

  • Wicked is coming to theaters this November.
  • The movie's based on the musical of the same name, which premiered in 2003.
  • The Wicked cast includes Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, and Marissa Bode.

Is there a Wicked movie singalong?

Universal Pictures

Good news for singers and theatre kids alike: Wicked singalongs are coming to theaters! While the movie premieres on November 22, interactive screenings are coming to around 1,000 movie theaters in North America starting December 25. Stay tuned for location details! Until then, please do us all a favor and hum under your breath during "Defying Gravity."

What has the Wicked cast said about each other?

Universal Pictures

The Wicked cast truly became a family onset. Ethan Slater exclusively told Brit + Co that Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo welcomed everyone into the film "with open arms," while Michelle Yeoh added working together was "magical." Meanwhile, our leading ladies went viral for crying over how much they mean to each other.

And Jonathan Bailey just spilled some more behind the scenes secrets in his Vanity Fair cover story. In addition to calling Ari and Cynthia "the girls" (which is a nickname I love!! I feel like it emphasizes how close they are by highlighting the fact there's only two people he could be talking about), he opened up about the support he received making the transition from Fellow Travelers and Bridgerton to Wicked.

"I’d flown back from Canada and then I was filming Bridgerton," he says. "I met the girls then, and they were well and truly underway. I remember going to the dressing rooms, and theirs were pink and green and were just spilling into the hallway. And mine was just an interrogation room with nothing. But I did spend the whole day with [choreographer] Chris Scott and went from Chris Scott to see [musical writer] Stephen Schwartz, and it was just, for me, boot camp days. You just lean on the amazing choreographers and obviously [director] Jon M. Chu’s vision."

What is the Wicked movie release date?

Universal Pictures

Wicked: Part I hits theaters on November 22, 2024. It was originally scheduled for a Christmas release (and then Thanksgiving) but the sooner, the better IMO!

And good news for any Amazon Prime subscribers: you can see the movie early! Amazon's new “Oz on Amazon” campaign means members can screen Wicked in theaters November 18, four whole days before the rest of the world sees it. Get tickets here while they're still available!

Will there be a Wicked movie soundtrack?

Universal Pictures

Yes, we're getting a Wicked movie soundtrack! Full of beloved Broadway numbers like "Popular," "I'm Not That Girl," and "The Wizard and I," this is an album for a whole new generations of Ozians.

“The other week I was visiting my family in Boca and I was up late one night with my headphones on because the mixes had just come in for the soundtrack,” Ariana Grande told Allure in September. “I was sitting in my childhood bedroom with the poster across from my bed signed by the original Broadway cast and listening to our mixes of the soundtrack. It was really emotional. I just burst into tears.”

Watch The Wicked Trailer!

Universal Pictures

If you didn't already believe that Wicked was going to be the musical movie event of the century, this trailer will convince you. The dancing! The costumes! The literal magic! I am going to be weeping the entire time (and I need to start working on my Halloween costume STAT!)

Check Out The New Wicked Poster

Universal Pictures

The newest Wicked poster shows off Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as Glinda and Elphaba like we've never seen! As a Glinda girl myself, I love to see all the details on Ariana's costume, plus all the texture and intricacies on Cynthia's. The poster is totally giving "The Creation of Adam" painting with Glinda and Elphaba just out of reach of one another — and it also reminds of "Defying Gravity" since Elphaba is in the air!

Who else is in the Wicked movie cast?

Sophy Holland/Universal Pictures/Vanity Fair

We got a first (leaked) look at Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero the week of May 13. We already know that he can sing so we're extra excited to see him in action alongside Ariana and Cynthia!

In this Vanity Fair first look, we see the three actors are joined by a powerhouse cast including Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard and Everything Everywhere All At Once star (and Academy Award winner!!) Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible. The cast also features Broadway actor Ethan Slater as Boq, Marissa Bode as Nessarose, SNL star Bowen Yang as Pfannee, and The Greatest Showman actress Keala Settle as Miss Coddle.

We might have gotten a first glimpse at the movie during CinemaCon 2023, but this year's convention finally revealed the one cast member we've been waiting for: Dr. Dillamond, who will be played by Peter Dinklage.

"The wicked movie now has an academy award winner, grammy winner, tony winner and an oliver award winner," says @sheeshgwws on X. "i mean the talent is stacked."

Who auditioned for the Wicked movie?

Kevin Winter/Frazer Harrison/Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Before we got the official Wicked cast list, it turns out that a lot of our favorite stars went out for the film! When the movie was in its earliest stages of pre-production, back in 2014, Lea Michele and Harry Styles were reportedly the frontrunners for Elphaba and Fiyero (via The Guardian).

And once Jon M. Chu was attached to direct and the film really took off, a lot of stars we know and love made it into the audition room. Reneé Rapp told Watch What Happens Live that she auditioned for Glinda, while Dove Cameron confirmed she also auditioned for the role, via The Wrap. Amanda Seyfried was also in the running for the Good Witch, and revealed she auditioned (via Cosmopolitan) when she was playing Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout.

But the most surprising bit of news to me is that Joe Jonas and Nick Jonas went out for the same role! Nick confirmed to Variety that both brothers auditioned for Fiyero.

Considering in the mid-2010s One Direction was at the top of their game, Mamma Mia star Amanda Seyfried proved her singing chops again in Les Misérables, and we all had major crushes on the Jonas Brothers (still do, TBH), this cast would have overwhelmed every Tumblr musical theater girlie in the very best way.

Who is Jonathan Bailey playing in Wicked?

Sophy Holland/Universal Pictures/Vanity Fair

Jonathan Bailey from Bridgerton is starring as playboy-turned-lover boy Fiyero. When he first meets Glinda and Elphaba, he's taken with Glinda's charm and popularity, but he quickly realizes there's much more to Elphaba than meets the eye. In this Vanity Fair first look, we see that just like Anthony Bridgerton, Fiyero has an affinity for vests, billowy shirts, and horses. I'm not mad about it.

Why was Ariana Grande at the Oscars 2024?

Rodin Eckenroth/Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo presented the award for "Best Score" and "Best Original Song" at the Oscars 2024! The duo showed up ahead of the Wicked movie (which hits theaters this fall), wearing their best Oz-approved fashion. Ariana Grande wore a voluminous bubblegum pink gown from Giambattista Valli Haute Couture that was reminiscent of Glinda the Good Witch, while Cynthia Erivo channeled Elphaba in a leather green Louis Vuitton dress.

While the aesthetic and fabric of both dresses were very different (similar to their Wicked characters!) both Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo looked stunning and otherworldly thanks to the artistic silhouettes. I am simply in love with Ariana's off-the-shoulder bubble cape, and Cynthia's ruffled sleeves. I can't wait to see the rest of their press looks!

What is the Wicked movie about?

Universal Pictures

Wicked is an origin story for the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good from The Wizard of Oz. As young women, Elphaba and Glinda uncover the wizard's plot to suppress all of the animals in Oz and keep his power. When Elphaba tries to expose him, he frames her for the act. Wicked will be directed by Jon M. Chu, who also directed 2021's In The Heights. We loved his work on that blockbuster musical, so we can't wait to see what Chu brings to the big screen with Wicked this time!

Who will play Elphaba in the wicked movie?

Cynthia Erivo/Instagram

Elphaba will be played by Broadway star Cynthia Erivo. She starred in a revival of The Color Purplefrom 2015 to 2017, winning a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance. She also took to the screen in films like Harriet, Pinocchio, and Bad Times at the El Royale. Cynthia Erivo first teased her Wicked look in an Instagram post, and we can't wait to see more!

Who is playing Glinda?

Ariana Grande/Instagram

Popstar and actress Ariana Grande will play Glinda in the films. We're very excited about this, especially after she sang "The Wizard And I" at the 2018 Wicked 15th Anniversary Special. Ariana may be a global pop sensation, but she has strong roots in musical theatre, starring as Charlotte in 13 the Musical in 2008. She's also been asking the Wicked team about a movie for over ten years!

“Since I was 20, I was like, ‘Hey, I don't know when this is happening, but when it's happening, may I please at least just audition?’" Ariana Grande tells Amazon Music's Zach Sang. "That's all I wanted, was an audition. I've never wanted anything more.”

Ariana prepped for the audition with “voice lessons every day, acting lessons every day” for six whole months. “I trained every single day to prove to [Wicked producers] that I could handle taking on this other person," she says.

Why is the Wicked movie two parts?

Universal Pictures

Wicked will be split into two parts, just like the Broadway show. That way, the stakes will feel higher, and we'll have more time with the characters! The two-part release follows in the footsteps of blockbusters like The Hunger Games and Dune. Wicked: Part I will premiere in November 2024, and the second part will follow the next year.

Why is Wicked coming out in 2024?

Universal Pictures

The Wicked movie was originally supposed to premiere in 2021 but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the film got pushed. Thankfully, the strikes during the summer of 2023 didn't delay the movie at all!

Watch The Brand New Preview For "Wicked" Here!

Universal Pictures

Hopefully the wait for the 22 will only feel like One Short Day...until then, catch us watching this preview on repeat!

Keep checking back here for more Wicked movie updates and let us know what you're most excited about on Twitter! Until we get to see the movie in theaters, check out the top Spring Movies and Summer Movies to watch in the meantime!

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This post has been updated.

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