Here Comes the Bride, Forty Inches Wide… On the Television Screen

It was announced recently that RTÉ are currently looking for participants for their new reality wedding television show.

While the name of the show hasn’t been released as yet, some details have. According to reports the wedding will be planned by the mothers from both the bride and groom’s sides.

Also the lucky couple will get a free luxury honeymoon for appearing on the show and allowing their big day to be televised.

This is just one of the many reality wedding shows that have come out in recent years.  You also have Four Weddings, whereby couples compete for the prize of a honeymoon, and Don’t Tell the Bride in which the groom plans the entire wedding.

To be honest we’re not sure whether to be in awe or afraid of these shows. On one hand you get your wedding or honeymoon paid for which we’re sure is very tempting indeed.

On the other hand, in the case of Don’t Tell the Bride and RTÉ’s new show, you have to let someone else plan your wedding day. That includes everything from your invitations to your dress.

And yes it is by someone who should know you well, but as most of us know your idea of nice can be a lot different to that of your partner or mother’s.

That aside, doesn’t the whole trivialisation of the day take away from the personal and traditional nature of your wedding? After all the entire nation, or those that decide to tune in anyway, are going to see it.

Also the marriage ceremony is meant to be sacred. Surely the presence of television cameras and the crew, which might we add are strangers, take away from this.

So tempting as a free wedding or honeymoon sounds, we reckon we'll give these shows a miss for our special day. After all it ought to be just that.