Season synopsis
Contains spoilers for this season and earlier seasons.
The season opens with Ted and Robin together while Marshall is still reeling from Lily leaving for an art fellowship in San Francisco. When Lily returns, Marshall is too hurt to take her back immediately. She briefly stays with Barney, acting as his fake wife and helping him turn away dates, while Marshall starts seeing someone else. He and Lily reconcile in “Swarley.” Their Atlantic City trip is an attempted elopement, but they put the wedding on hold when they realize they want their families there. They later plan the ceremony with their friends.
Ted and Robin attempt to move in together, then decide they are not ready. Their plans for the future still do not line up. When an engagement ring meant for another diner appears in Robin’s champagne, each is relieved when the misunderstanding is cleared up. They talk about the lives they want: Ted hopes to marry and have children, while Robin wants to travel and does not want children. They decide their relationship cannot ignore those differences, and break up on amicable terms after a year together.
Marshall and Lily’s planned wedding day is battered by mishaps, from Lily’s damaged veil to an injured photographer and a harpist who is overdue. Ted and Barney help salvage the intimate ceremony the couple wanted, and the reception follows. Ted and Robin have kept their breakup quiet so it will not eclipse the wedding; Barney learns the truth when he overhears them discussing an announcement. After telling him, Ted accepts that he and Robin were heading in different directions and asks Barney to return to being his wingman.