Discussion Questions for "Three Weddings and a Bar Mitzvah"

1. Would you have counseled Lelani or Kendall to elope? How would that decision have affected their friendships? Their family dynamics? Their romances?

2. Lelani and Kendall had to deal with the “interference” of Mrs. Mendez and Mrs. Weis in their celebrations and plans. What did you admire about how they handled these challenges? What would you criticize?

3. How did you feel when Gil suggested Lelani move their wedding to Maui for her mother’s sake? In what ways did the idea help or hurt Lelani? Do you think Alana’s apology was connected to this gesture?

4. What gave Kendall the strength to overcome her sisters’ condescension and exclusion?

5. If you were Lelani, would you have agreed to a face-to-face meeting with Ben? How would you have handled that encounter?

6. Megan observed that Kendall and Nana had a lot in common. What were their best common qualities? Do you have a friend or loved one who is both very different from you and a lot like you? What does this relationship mean to you?

7. What do you think was the root cause of Anna’s and Megan’s “man trouble”? Could it have been prevented? Why or why not?

8. Was Anna’s makeover of Chelsea selfish or altruistic?

9. Compare the ways in which each character’s mother influenced her choices and self-confidence. Identify examples of how a negative action on the mother’s part nevertheless led to a positive result in the daughter’s life.

10. Over the course of the series, which character’s journey most closely mimicked your own? What lessons learned by this character connected most personally with you?