The Definitive Answer: 5 Shocking Twists In Carrie Bradshaw And Mr. Big's Marriage Timeline

Yes, Carrie Bradshaw and Mr. Big did marry, but their journey from "will they/won't they" to "I do" was perhaps the most dramatic, fashion-forward, and ultimately tragic love story in modern television history. The question of "does Carrie marry Big" haunted fans throughout six seasons of *Sex and the City*, two feature films, and the recent sequel series, *And Just Like That...* As of today, December 12, 2025, the relationship has evolved far beyond the simple wedding question, culminating in a surprising and emotional twist that redefined Carrie's life.

The relationship between the iconic sex columnist and the elusive financier, whose real name is John James Preston, was never simple. Their decades-long romance was characterized by breakups, cross-country moves, other partners, and profound emotional misunderstandings. Their eventual marriage was not the perfect fairy-tale ending many expected, but a hard-won commitment that set the stage for a new, and much shorter, chapter of their life together.

Mr. Big (John James Preston): A Brief Biography

Mr. Big, known to fans as the ultimate commitment-phobe and Carrie's primary love interest, was a character shrouded in mystery for much of the original series. His full name, John James Preston, was only revealed late in the franchise, symbolizing his final commitment to Carrie.

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• Full Name: John James Preston (also referred to simply as "Big").
• Occupation: Highly successful, wealthy financier/businessman.
• Portrayed By: Chris Noth.
• First Appearance: Season 1, Episode 1 of *Sex and the City* (1998).
• Marriages:
  • Natasha Naginsky (Second Wife, divorced).
  • Carrie Bradshaw (Third Wife).
• Key Relationship Moments: Numerous breakups and makeups, moving to Napa, almost marrying Carrie in the first film, and his eventual death in *And Just Like That...*.

The Dramatic "I Do": How Carrie and Big Finally Married

The first attempt at marriage between Carrie and Big was a spectacular, high-profile disaster that became one of the most memorable (and heartbreaking) scenes in the franchise. The second attempt was a quiet, intimate affair that perfectly captured the true nature of their love.

The Failed Wedding at The New York Public Library

In *Sex and the City: The Movie* (2008), Carrie and Big plan an extravagant wedding at The New York Public Library. The event spirals into a massive, star-studded affair, complete with a legendary, voluminous Vivienne Westwood wedding gown. However, Big, overwhelmed by the grand scale and his past commitment issues, gets cold feet and leaves Carrie at the altar. Carrie's humiliation and heartbreak are palpable, leading to a confrontation where she famously attacks him with her floral bouquet.

The Real Wedding: Commitment Over Spectacle

After a period of separation and emotional healing, Big realizes his profound mistake. He finds Carrie back in their first apartment and proposes with one of her Manolo Blahnik shoes, a nod to their shared history and her love of footwear. The couple decides against another large spectacle. Their actual wedding is a simple, civil ceremony held at City Hall. Carrie wears a simpler, yet chic, vintage suit, and the only guests are their closest friends: Miranda Hobbes, Charlotte York Goldenblatt, and Samantha Jones. This quiet, non-traditional wedding finally sealed their decades-long romance, proving their commitment was to each other, not the party.

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Life After the Vows: Marriage and Sudden Tragedy in *And Just Like That...*

The two feature films showed Carrie and Big navigating married life, including a brief moment of infidelity by Big in *Sex and the City 2*, which they ultimately overcame. Their marriage appeared to be stable and happy by the time the sequel series, *And Just Like That...* (AJLT), premiered in 2021.

The Shocking Death of Mr. Big

The premise of *And Just Like That...* immediately shattered the image of their perfect marriage. In the very first episode of the series, Mr. Big suffers a fatal heart attack after a strenuous workout on his Peloton bike. Carrie finds him on the floor of their luxurious apartment and holds him as he dies. This sudden, tragic event immediately transforms Carrie from a newlywed into a widow, setting the stage for the entire narrative of the new series.

This twist was highly controversial among fans and critics. Some felt it was a necessary, dramatic device to move Carrie's story forward, while others felt it was an undeserved end for the couple after their long, tumultuous journey. The creators used Big's death to explore themes of grief, loss, and the challenges of starting over in your 50s.

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The Aftermath: Carrie's Journey as a Widow

The seasons of *And Just Like That...* focus on Carrie dealing with the profound loss of her husband, her return to the dating scene, and her evolving friendships with Miranda and Charlotte. Key entities in her new life include:

• Podcast Career: Carrie starts a new chapter as a podcast host, discussing sex and relationships from a more mature perspective.
• Moving On: Her first dates post-Big are often disastrous, highlighting the difficulty of re-entering the modern dating world after decades with one person.
• Aidan Shaw's Return: The second season of *AJLT* saw the return of Carrie’s other major love interest, Aidan Shaw. Their rekindled romance provided a full-circle moment for fans, though their relationship once again faces new, complex hurdles related to family and life stage, proving that even a second chance at love is rarely simple.

Final Verdict: Was the Marriage Worth the Drama?

The question of "does Carrie marry Big" is definitively answered with a "Yes," but the true story is in the complexity of that marriage. Their union in the first film was the culmination of a decade of longing and emotional warfare, a hard-fought victory for commitment. However, the subsequent death of Mr. Big in *And Just Like That...* re-contextualized their entire relationship.

For many, the marriage was essential because it proved that Big could finally commit and that Carrie could have the love she always desired. The writers then used the marriage as a foundation for Carrie's next evolution: a story of resilience, self-discovery, and finding love again after devastating loss. The marriage was not an "ending," but a crucial, albeit brief, middle chapter that allowed Carrie Bradshaw to become a more mature, complex, and ultimately, more relatable character for a new generation of viewers.