Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t watched Season 6 of “Virgin River” on Netflix yet, be advised that the following text contains spoilers. In the popular show, the long-awaited wedding of main characters Mel and Jack was portrayed as a grand and dreamy event, attended by the entire town. Following the recent release of the season, Netflix provided insight into the making of this special occasion, including details such as incorporating props from past seasons and symbolic elements like river rocks representing the couple’s bond.
Actress Alexandra Breckenridge, who plays Mel Monroe, expressed her surprise at the scale of the wedding, stating that she had anticipated a smaller and more intimate ceremony by the riverside. The romantic drama series, focusing on the relationship between nurse practitioner Mel and bar owner Jack in the charming town of Virgin River, premiered its sixth season on December 19th, picking up after the holiday-themed episodes of Season 5.
While the wedding in Robyn Carr’s “Virgin River” books was portrayed as modest, showrunner Patrick Sean Smith decided to take a different approach for the TV adaptation. Smith explained that after six seasons of building up to this significant moment for the couple, he felt it was fitting to make the wedding a grand affair to satisfy fans.
The wedding scene was captured over 16 days of filming, with the cast facing challenges like unpredictable weather and filming at a new location outside Vancouver. Annette O’Toole, who portrays Mayor Hope McRae, shared that the logistical aspects of the filming process, such as ensuring everyone was in full wedding attire and dealing with the elements, were demanding.
Despite the difficulties, the wedding episodes came together beautifully, featuring rustic farm settings, elaborate décor, and a heartfelt song composed by Wesley Schultz of the Lumineers for the couple’s first dance. The cast members, including Breckenridge and O’Toole, had to cope with the cold temperatures during filming, with Breckenridge even wearing fleece-lined leggings under her wedding dress.
Overall, the production team and cast of “Virgin River” worked tirelessly to bring this pivotal wedding celebration to life on screen, delivering a memorable and visually stunning event for fans to enjoy.
Characters in Season 6 of “Virgin River” include Alexandra Breckenridge as Mel Monroe, Martin Henderson as Jack Sheridan, Tim Matheson as Dr. Vernon Mullins, Annette O’Toole as Hope McCrea, Colin Lawrence as John “Preacher” Middleton, John Allen Nelson as Everett Reid, Benjamin Hollingsworth as Dan Brady, Zibby Allen as Brie Sheridan, Marco Grazzini as Mike Valenzuela, Lauren Hammersley as Charmaine Roberts, Teryl Rothery as Muriel St. Claire, Kandyse McClure as Kaia, Kai Bradbury as Denny Cutler, Sarah Dugdale as Lizzie, Jenny Cooper as Joey Barnes, Elise Gatien as Lark, and Mark Ghanimé as Dr. Cameron Hayek.
The filming of “Virgin River” takes place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and its surrounding mountainous areas, although the fictional town is portrayed to be situated in Northern California between Sacramento and the Oregon border. The cast and crew have dedicated efforts to creating a setting that feels authentic to viewers.
All 10 episodes of Season 6 of “Virgin River” were released on Netflix on Thursday, Dec. 19, allowing fans to stream the latest installment of the series, along with previous seasons.
