Phoebe’s entire family was missing from her wedding in Friends season 10, episode 12, “The One with Phoebe’s Wedding,” which is curious considering Mike’s family was able to attend the snowy ceremony. Phoebe Buffay’s family was an enigma throughout Friends’ 10 seasons, with a few key members making frequent appearances on the show. Despite the fact that her twin sister Ursula, brother Frank Jr., sister-in-law Alice, and birth mother Phoebe Abbott were recurring characters with big impacts on her story, none of them attended Phoebe’s wedding to Mike Hannigan (Paul Rudd). Phoebe mentioned that her mother couldn’t come to the wedding, yet the rest were mysteriously missing from the milestone occasion.
While Friends doesn’t explain the absence of Phoebe’s family, it’s implied that they weren’t able to make it due to the blizzard in the city. However, Mike’s parents were still there, suggesting at least one of Phoebe’s family members could have come to the dinner rehearsal. Another reason why Phoebe’s family wasn’t at her wedding is likely that they mainly had their big sendoffs earlier in the season. Frank Jr. and the triplets made their final appearances in Friends season 10, episode 2, with Phoebe and Ursula likely cutting off contact in season 8 after they both dated Eric (Sean Penn). Behind the scenes, it also may have been difficult for the actors to return for such small appearances.
Where Phoebe’s Family Was In Friends Season 10
Phoebe’s father Frank Sr. never reappeared after his introduction in Friends season 5, with the series implying that the two never spoke again after finally reuniting. Ursula Buffay’s last appearance was in Friends season 8, with Phoebe failing to reveal any new information about her sister in the sitcom’s final season. Ursula was presumably still living in New York City in Friends season 10, but her lack of compassion for her sister means she likely wasn’t invited to Phoebe’s wedding anyway.
Phoebe’s birth mother Phoebe Abbott (Teri Garr) also failed to appear in Friends season 10, but was likely still living at the beach in Montauk, which would make it difficult to drive to Phoebe’s wedding in a snowstorm. The only members of Phoebe’s family who appear in Friends season 10 are Frank Jr. and his children Frank Jr. Jr., Chandler, and Leslie. Frank brings the kids to the city in Friends season 10, episode 2, “The One Where Ross Is Fine,” revealing that he and Alice were finding it difficult to raise their kids. The family was implied to still live outside the city in Middletown, New York, which likely contributed to their absence from Phoebe’s wedding.
Why Phoebe Didn’t Need Her Family At Her Wedding
While Phoebe became close with her brother Frank Jr. and mother Phoebe Abbott, they weren’t who she depended on above all else. Phoebe lived the majority of her life without a loving family until she met Joey, Monica, Chandler, Ross, and Rachel. These five people became her family in all but name and blood, so if anyone should have stood by her as she said her wedding vows, it was them. It would have been nice for Phoebe to be walked down the aisle by Frank, have Ursula standing next to her, and see Frank Jr. and his kids watching, but Friends emphasized that her five best friends were the family she really needed at her wedding.