trope
Runaway Bride
A romance trope where the heroine flees her own wedding, often mid-ceremony or right before the vows, sparking a journey of self-discovery and usually a second chance at love with a new partner or a confrontation with the original one.
Why readers love it
Readers love the vicarious thrill of rejecting a wrong life and choosing themselves first, plus the instant tension of a public spectacle turning into a private second beginning.
Also called
Runaway Groom
Jilted at the Altar
Escape the Engagement
Wedding Crasher Romance
Second-Choice Love