It finally happened. Sorta.
After decades of "Our princess is in another castle," the gaming world collectively lost its mind when Nintendo finally put wedding Mario and Peach front and center. But it wasn't the ceremony anyone expected. If you were looking for a Hallmark moment where they ride off into the Mushroom Kingdom sunset, Super Mario Odyssey probably felt like a slap in the face. It was messy. It was awkward.
And honestly? It was exactly what the series needed.
The sight of Mario in a white tuxedo and Peach in a full bridal gown wasn't just a costume choice for a fan-service render. It was the climax of a game that fundamentally changed how we look at their relationship. For years, we've just assumed they’d end up together. You save the girl, you get the cake, maybe a kiss on the nose. Then Bowser shows up with a literal wedding ring—the Binding Band from the Moon Kingdom—and forces the issue.
Suddenly, the "wedding" wasn't a reward. It was a crisis.
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Why Odyssey Changed Everything for Wedding Mario and Peach
Before 2017, the idea of a wedding was mostly relegated to side games or non-canon stuff. Think back to Super Paper Mario on the Wii. Count Bleck actually forced a wedding between Peach and Bowser to unleash the Chaos Heart. It was played for laughs and cosmic stakes, but it wasn't "real."
Then came the Odyssey.
This wasn't some abstract threat. Bowser went full wedding planner. He stole the Lochlady Dress from Lake Lamode. He swiped the Soirée Bouquet from Tostarena. He even got a giant, tiered cake from Mount Volbono. He was literally trekking across the globe to curate a "perfect" ceremony. When you finally reach the moon for the showdown, the imagery of wedding Mario and Peach is everywhere.
The interesting part? Mario isn't just there to stop Bowser. He’s there to propose too.
That final cutscene on the moon is a masterclass in silent storytelling. Mario sees Bowser offering a Piranha Plant bouquet to Peach. Panicked, Mario shoves Bowser aside and offers his own Moon-flower. They’re both shoved in her face. It’s aggressive. It’s overwhelming. And Peach? She says no. To both of them.
She walks to the Odyssey, boards the ship, and tells them both to come on if they want a ride home. She chooses her own agency over being a trophy for either suitor. It was a massive pivot for her character. She wasn't just a damsel anymore; she was a woman who didn't want to be pressured into a life-altering commitment while standing on a crater.
The Amiibo Factor and the In-Game Perks
Nintendo knew the hype was real, so they released a specific set of wedding-themed Amiibo. These aren't just plastic for your shelf. They actually break the game in some pretty fun ways.
If you tap the wedding Mario Amiibo, you get temporary invincibility. It’s basically a Starman on demand. The Peach Amiibo gives you a Life-Up Heart, boosting your health to six segments. While some purists think this cheapens the difficulty of the Broodals boss fights, it’s a lifesaver for younger players or anyone trying to survive the Darker Side of the Moon.
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Plus, the costumes are unlockable without the figures. You can buy the tuxedo and the gown in the Crazy Cap shops using regional coins. Seeing Mario run through the sand of Tostarena in a pristine white suit is hilarious. Seeing him do it in a wedding dress? Even better. Nintendo didn't gender-lock the outfits, which was a surprisingly progressive move for a company that usually plays it very safe.
The "Official" Relationship Status
Are they married? No.
Despite the endless merch—the plushies, the Hallmark ornaments, the LEGO sets—the official stance remains that they are close friends with a high level of romantic tension. Shigeru Miyamoto has often compared the Mario cast to a troupe of actors. In one "play," they are bitter enemies; in another, they are racing karts or playing tennis.
But Odyssey felt like it had more weight.
There's a specific nuance to the way Peach treats Mario in the post-game. If you find her traveling across the different kingdoms (now wearing a much more practical travel outfit), she’s happy to see him. She’s exploring the world on her own terms. The wedding didn't happen, but the relationship evolved.
It’s worth noting that the 2023 Super Mario Bros. Movie doubled down on this dynamic. Peach is a warrior-queen who doesn't need saving, and Mario is the guy who's just happy to be by her side. The "wedding" in the movie was once again a forced plot by Bowser, emphasizing that Peach isn't interested in being forced into a role.
The Merch Empire of the Non-Wedding
If you look at the sales data for Nintendo’s licensed products, the wedding Mario and Peach line is a juggernaut. It’s a staple of the "Nintendo Tokyo" store. Why? Because it represents the peak aesthetic of the franchise.
- The Plush Sets: Often sold as a pair, these are massive hits for actual real-life weddings. People use them as cake toppers.
- The LEGO Icons: While not a dedicated "wedding" set yet, the "Mighty Bowser" set includes a hidden compartment that references the wedding plans from Odyssey.
- The Jewelry: Yes, there is official Mario-themed wedding jewelry. Companies like K-Uno in Japan have released actual engagement rings inspired by the games.
It’s a weird paradox. The characters rejected the wedding in the game, but the fans have embraced it as the definitive look for the couple. It’s the "happily ever after" we want, even if the characters aren't ready for it.
Common Misconceptions About the Ending
Some people genuinely think Peach left Mario on the moon. She didn't. She called him onto the ship. They flew home together.
Others think Mario was being a jerk by proposing right after Bowser. In reality, the scene is meant to show that Mario was caught up in the competitive heat of the moment. He saw Bowser doing it and felt he had to "win." Peach's rejection was a "stop it, both of you" moment. It wasn't a rejection of Mario as a person, but a rejection of the chaotic situation.
How to Celebrate the Wedding Mario Aesthetic Today
If you’re a fan and want to lean into this specific era of Mario history, you've got options.
First, go back and play the Odyssey post-game. Many people stop after the credits. Don't. Finding Peach in every kingdom is where the real "story" of her and Mario’s relationship actually pays off. It's much more wholesome than the botched ceremony on the moon.
Second, look at the 2024/2025 updates to the Nintendo Switch Online library. There are often icons and avatars featuring the wedding gear. It’s a cheap way to customize your profile without spending $40 on an out-of-print Amiibo.
Third, if you’re actually planning a wedding and want to include Mario, keep it subtle. The "Binding Band" ring design is genuinely elegant. It’s a gold band with a heavy gemstone that looks like a standard piece of jewelry to the untrained eye but screams "Super Mario Odyssey" to those in the know.
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The Reality of the Mushroom Kingdom Romance
At the end of the day, wedding Mario and Peach represents the tension between tradition and modern gaming. We want the classic ending, but we also want characters with depth. By subverting the wedding, Nintendo gave Peach a voice she hadn't had in thirty years.
Mario is still her hero. She’s still his princess. But they aren't rushing to the altar just because a giant turtle tried to make them.
That’s a much better story than a simple "I do."
Actionable Steps for Fans
- Unlock the Outfits: In Super Mario Odyssey, collect enough Power Moons (around 260 for the suit, 480 for the dress) to buy the wedding attire from the Crazy Cap shop without needing the Amiibo.
- Check the Movie Details: Re-watch the wedding scene in the Super Mario Bros. Movie and look at the background—the "Ice Flower" bouquet is a direct nod to the power-ups they use throughout the film.
- Explore the Japan-exclusive Merch: If you’re a collector, use a proxy service to look at the "Sanei Boeki" wedding plush sets. They are significantly higher quality than the standard North American releases and include details like Peach’s earrings and Mario’s lapel flower.
The "wedding" might have been a disaster in the game, but for the fans, it’s the most iconic the duo has ever looked. Just don't expect a marriage certificate in the next game.
Source Credits & References:
- Super Mario Odyssey (2017), Nintendo EPD.
- The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), Illumination/Nintendo.
- "Miyamoto on Mario's Relationship Status," Game Informer Interview Archive.
- Super Paper Mario (2007), Intelligent Systems.