The F-Factor: Weddings of the year
Tiaras, tears and tantrums... and then throw in a wedding! EastEnders' nuptials are everything you'd expect from a marriage ceremony and more.
If you're lucky enough to be invited to one of Walford's finest days of the year, follow this advice:
- Keep the receipt from the present, as you may be taking it back.
- Don't arrive early - you could be kept waiting.
- Take plenty of tissues (for the bride and/groom).
- Expect a brawl... or two.
In 2009, we weren't disappointed! Here is the lowdown on which wedding had the biggest F-Factor (X-Factor? Nah. It's all about the F, innit.)
Dawn and Garry - sailing off into the sunset
Of course, you all knew about Dawn's saucy legover with Phil (who saw that one coming?!). But hapless mechanic, Garry Hobbs, was only let into her dirty little secret by Minty the night before their nuptials in August. The poor lamb cried himself to sleep. On the wedding day, he lamped one on hardnut Phil *jumps for joy*, and escaped on his rickety boat. Dawn tottered off to find him in her tutu dress and begged forgiveness. Of course, loved-up Gaz accepted, and they sailed off with Summer... (with no loo, sink, refreshments... and probably got as far as Greenwich).
Fashion: 6 Food: 0 (what food?) Fun: 4 Fisticuffs: 8 Finance: 4 Fatality: 5 (for forgiving the minx!)
Peggy and Archie - Get outta my pub!

As matriarchs go, Peggy is one (small) soft-hearted lady! A day after April Fool's and she gets hitched to manipulative Archie ('pity the fool'). But the day didn't go without a hitch (can you call a death a hitch?) It was D-Day for our fave landlady as she had to decide whether she should trust her niggling fears, or her cunning groom. The dress he chose for her made her itch just looking at it, but at least she had the guts to wear her own choice, even if she did tentatively walk up the aisle.
After their nuptials Danielle broke her seven-month silence to announce her revelation at the reception... 'Ronnie's my MUTHA!' It wasn't until she'd walked into a moving car that Peggy finally came round to see Archie for what he really was. Decision Day? More like Disaster Day.
Fashion: 6 Food: 6 (Beale catered, no one ate!?) Fun: 4 Fisticuffs: 6 Finance: 7 Fatality: 10 (death alert!)
Denise and Lucas - Bow tieing the knot

As Denise believes she's marrying into faith, love and trust (and a bed with her beloved), little does she know that the only faith Lucas has left is that he'll get away with MURDER. WAKE UP, Denise! Her nerves kicked in on the big day, which resulted in a good 'ol slap around the chops from Chelsea. It soon shut the bridezilla up. Meanwhile, Denise's preacher is strangling her ex with his bow tie and wrapping him up in carpet. What a waste of shagpile.
Unbeknown to Ricky (who'd have thought it!?), he lent his tie to the flustered fella and *cue organ* the bride and doom were hitched! As Denise's purple wedding dress lay on the floor... little did she know he was getting dirty and sweaty elswhere - burying her pesky ex under Trina's tree! Karma will surely come back to bite him on the bum.
Fashion: 7 Food: 7 Fun: 6 (Denise gets jiggy in the end) Fisticuffs: 5 Finance: 5 Fatality: 10 (death alert!)
Syed and Amira - Bhangra, beauty and biceps
The colourful and spectacular wedding of Syed and Amira was a whopper (mmmm... burger) of a wedding which climaxed on New Year's day. There were even fireworks in the form of Zainab and Christian's one-to-one. 11.6m of us were glued to our seats to see whether a.) Syed would admit all and run off with Christian, b.) Mr Biceps himself would announce his undying love at the ceremony, or c.) Zainab would shout, cry, hit out and stop the wedding... And we weren't far wrong!
Who knew that Syed could perform backflips? Who thought that he would trot around the Square like The Lone Ranger? Who enjoyed Lady in Red as it played for the couple's first dance? Who saw Tamwar get his first snogerooney? Who enjoyed the outcome? Is this the end of Chryed?! *Takes a breath*
Fashion: 10 (sparkletastic) Food: 10 Fun: 7 (drums and dancing... fab) Fisticuffs: 6 Finance: 10 Fatality: 6 (Zainab lamped big C, but my points go to a not so 'happily ever after'. Fatal).
Syed and Amira's ceremony topped my F-Factor scale and set it alight! A wedding that lasts for so long needs stamina, but it had the drama, dancing, fabulous grub and no one died (except a few hearts) *sob sob*.

Comment number 1.
At 18:01 5th Jan 2010, Imogen wrote:Chryed's wedding- I mean.. Amira and Syed's wedding *groan* was amazing. Not happy amazing, just amazing! The drama was quite spectacular. Plus the Christian and Syed goodbye at the end had me in floods for about an hour. (not joking!) The most beautiful scene ever.
If only all wedding's were as exciting as EastEnders'! :D
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 18:52 5th Jan 2010, stayci wrote:Amira and Syeds wedding was visually stunning and emotion was running wild lol, im also gutted that Syed didnt leave to be with Christian but hey heres hoping lol. x
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 19:20 5th Jan 2010, ronniefan wrote:As much as i enjoyed Syed and Amiras wedding my vote has to go for archie and peggys wedding! It had me gripped to the TV all the way through!! And yes. Kleenex tissues were at the ready when danielle died!!!!!
But weldone EE. You know how to through a wedding :P!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 20:34 5th Jan 2010, Loli wrote:I think that amira and syeds wedding was great!!! But syed is really getting on my nerves...........one day he is in love with christian the next he hates him. Make your mind up!! Im also really curious about todd and whitney. is she gonna fall pregnant? and the e20 thing is going to be really kl most of the charecters from the new e20 were on eastenders 2night...............i love eastenders and i just want everythig to work out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 23:21 5th Jan 2010, Maria wrote:Of all the weddings it had to be Peggy and Archie's that was the most dramatic. It happened and died on the same day. Kinda like Britney Spears' twenty four hour wedding. LOL! Anywho, even my macho brother shed a tear for poor Danielle. My whole family were shouting at the screen. So yeah that was a wedding to remember.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)
Comment number 6.
At 03:13 6th Jan 2010, MrsBean wrote:Syed & Amira's wedding was the one that had me shouting at the screen. "don't do it!" "do it!" "say it!" "don't say it!" A real roller coaster ride with water works thrown in.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 6)
Comment number 7.
At 09:56 6th Jan 2010, insider_lou wrote:MrsBean - I totally agree. I confused myself with what I wanted! Poor Amira, though. However, ronniefan and Maria, oooooh wasn't Peggy and Archie's Wedding Day one to remember! RIP Danielle.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 7)
Comment number 8.
At 10:51 6th Jan 2010, annette cole wrote:all the weddings were good in 2009
Complain about this comment (Comment number 8)
Comment number 9.
At 11:27 6th Jan 2010, LovinEaastenderrs wrote:I can't believe that Danielle died at Peggy and Archie's wedding! I saw Lauren Crace (Danielle) in London, but couldn't get an autograph as she was on the phone. I'll never forget that wedding. Amira and Syed's wedding was amazing! But Amira deserves better than Syed who can't make his mind up. Although I felt sorry for Syed when Zainab pushed him away, it was like she was disowning him. I can't believe that Lucas killed Owen! When will someone find Owen?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 9)
Comment number 10.
At 12:15 6th Jan 2010, SHANZA wrote:I think archie and Peggys was the best... i cryed when danielle died... maybe they could somehow bring her back and it was her hu kjilled archie... lolz...
Complain about this comment (Comment number 10)
Comment number 11.
At 13:50 6th Jan 2010, EastEnders_NO1Fan wrote:PEGGY AND ARCHIE'S WEDDING DAY WINS!!! That was the best episode of EastEnders history. Ronnie and Danielle's plot was amazing to watch, and the big climax at the end when Danielle died was tragic but incredibly well done.
Weddings are never boring with EastEnders!! Loved them all really...
Complain about this comment (Comment number 11)
Comment number 12.
At 14:51 6th Jan 2010, ronniefan wrote:totally agree with you etasham :P!!! I still dont think the plot from the wedding has died down and its almost been a year!!! And as for amira and syeds wedding i was too confused! I was like aww syed and christian and then as soon as amira comes onto the screen i was like woo! Syed and amira haha :D
Complain about this comment (Comment number 12)
Comment number 13.
At 16:09 6th Jan 2010, Hannah wrote:Syed and Amira soooo amazin and sad as well poor christian i was in floods of tears and had me on the edge of my seat.And this storyline has much more to go yet so yay!!! i love chryed best couple in Eastenders.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 13)
Comment number 14.
At 18:26 6th Jan 2010, Alida Schaap wrote:An Eastenders-wedding is never boaring! There is almost always a 'surprise'! How compelling it was to watch the episode of Syed and Amira's wedding. Would Christian be able to change syed's mind? But I was not surprised that syed chose 'the most easy and therefore safest way' by choosing for his family and Amira. And maybe this is also a blessing in disguise for Christian. Would the two men be happy together in the long run? If Syed would have chosen for Christian it would mean a Massood-family break-up for him and maybe he would blame Chistian for that when a crisis occurs in their relationship.
I am always hoping to see a real wedding for Heather! Heather deserves a nice and good husband. And I am convinced that Minty is Mister right for her!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 14)
Comment number 15.
At 21:43 6th Jan 2010, insider_lou wrote:Hey ho Alida Schaap... Hev with Minty? They married once, but it wasn't meant to be *wipes a tear*. Unfortunately, Minty wasn't 'in love' with our beloved cheese lover *grabs a tissue*.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 15)
Comment number 16.
At 08:33 7th Jan 2010, EastEndersfanever wrote:The muslim wedding was gr8 x
Complain about this comment (Comment number 16)
Comment number 17.
At 10:16 7th Jan 2010, Alida Schaap wrote:Hey Lou..Have you ever heard of better luck next time? The first time wasn't meant to be.. But what about the second time? Minty could always fall in love with Hev. Maybe because he discovers one day that he likes the same cheese as Heather does....
And I bet that Heather still loves Minty!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 17)
Comment number 18.
At 12:47 7th Jan 2010, maya_x wrote:Syed and Amira wedding is my favorite, but but imho they are not a very good couple because a) Syed is gay and b) he's in love with Christian. I doubt that this will be an happy marriage because I'm sure that sooner or later Syed will regret giving up his own happiness in favor of fullfilling his family expectations and in the end he will go back to Christian who he belongs.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 18)
Comment number 19.
At 13:26 7th Jan 2010, PickledPanda wrote:Is this the end of Chryed? Of course not!! it's simply the end of Act 1. Act 2 is just around the corner, we just need to be a little more patient and wait until Syed realises that he cannot live a lie for the rest of his life just to keep Zainab happy.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 19)
Comment number 20.
At 16:14 7th Jan 2010, maya_x wrote:I would like to add just another thing, I don't think that Syed would have regretted to choose Christian because they really love each other and I think it will happen just the opposite: down the road he'll start to regret the choice he made and he'll resent his mother and even Amira for only the fact that she's not Christian. It will be hard to watch but I hope that in the end Cryed will find their way back to each other
Complain about this comment (Comment number 20)
Comment number 21.
At 18:31 7th Jan 2010, Bilz wrote:That thing will probelrly happen! I think archie and peggys wedding was good but the best HAS TO BE SYED AND AMIRAS! The tense was so much and i think your right and they (christion and syed) will get together!
Complain about this comment (Comment number 21)
Comment number 22.
At 19:51 7th Jan 2010, jon wrote:Dear readers WHAT is going on, is this the only good thing that is going on in your lives, my girlfriend watches this programme religously, so when it's on im forced to either leave the house, retreat to our bedroom or endure it in the same room while on the computer, it's actually on right now and im so sick to the back teeth of the pitufull acting i cant believe this is what people are are paying there tv licence's to watch and one more point just before i head out of the room to rearrange my girlfriends underwear draw is no wonder the country has a drink binge problem when they are subjected to the what i can only describe as riverting storyline's, oh my god the house party scene that has just been on AMAZING...
Complain about this comment (Comment number 22)
Comment number 23.
At 18:31 8th Jan 2010, robert kocaba wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 23)
Comment number 24.
At 18:32 8th Jan 2010, robert kocaba wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 24)
Comment number 25.
At 20:55 8th Jan 2010, amy wrote:i loved syed and amiras wedding
its just so glamourous.
but amira should find out about syed being gay sooner or later
she'll be in shock when she does
Complain about this comment (Comment number 25)
Comment number 26.
At 21:12 8th Jan 2010, Katie-Janye Taylor wrote:i did love Syed && Amiras wedding but poor Christian. i really thought that Syed was going to choose him over Amira! In a way i wish he did for Christain because i love him but i think that Syed did make the right decision marrying Amira :) && i do hope that Syed comes out with the truth!! Him && Amira are such a cute couple && i am sure if Syed does not then Christian will "/
Complain about this comment (Comment number 26)
Comment number 27.
At 10:37 9th Jan 2010, steph wrote:Well to say there's been four weddings on eastenders last year, not one has had a persistence of happiness throughout the hole thing!!! Two had deaths, and two had cheaters so for me there all as good as each other. If i had to choose one that has stuck with me, it would be the Archie & Peggy wedding and thats only because of Danielle's death. Seven months of waiting for Ronnie to find out and then when she does, it was game over!(I'm still not pleased either, you should bring her back). I will give credit though where it's due, it was an amazing story plot but, just not for Danielle. As a viewer i felt like i got to know her character too much and that there was too much of a build up to the revelation.
Many thanks for mostly great episodes
Complain about this comment (Comment number 27)
Comment number 28.
At 11:55 9th Jan 2010, EastEndersfanever wrote:I loved the muslim wedding da most xx
Complain about this comment (Comment number 28)
Comment number 29.
At 18:09 10th Jan 2010, karen wrote:Peggy and Archies wedding incorporating the reveal of Danielle as Ronnie's daughter and her ultimate demise was for me the best wedding ep. of 2009. Both Lauren Crace and Sam Womack churned out first rate performances on the night and I still have not forgiven the powers for only giving us 2 minutes of R & D united as Mother and daughter - they could have at least given us one episode !!! Ces't la vie I guess :-) But well done in spite of that to the cast, crew and Simon Ashdown for that memorable episode.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 29)