The reality behind reality TV's Married at First Sight | opinion

Heck, when someone walks down the aisle, it is assumed that they at least know the name of the person they’re marrying. 

That is, unless the bride and groom decide to go on a little show called Married at First Sight. And you’re a journalist who’s invited to see these strangers tie the knot. 

The Channel Nine show is one which is controversial – to say the least. 

The idea that a couple is matched and put under less than normal circumstances for a reality show certainly grinds people’s gears. 

But the fact remains, that people still watch and people still apply for the chance at true love. 

People like WA twins Sharon and Michelle Marsh. 

It was a warm day in October when the twins walked down the aisle towards their two smiling grooms at Perth’s Caversham House.  

There was no grand bridal march, no string quartet and no Polynesian men playing the ukulele while the girls walked to meet their matches. All there was, was the sound of the river flowing behind us and the occasional plane flying over head. 

Not exactly the grand statement one would expect from a fairy tale wedding. That’s where the magic of editing comes in to play. Fix it in post – as they say. 

While TV only shows enough to fill their time slot, the day itself was a good 10 hours long. And in reality, that didn’t get you very much for that. 

Two short weddings – one ‘real’ one and one for the long shots to give it the Hollywood touch – a reception and a whole lot of waiting around to be exact. 

And when there was actually some action – so to speak – what you saw on TV was basically what you get. Aside from a few long shots in wedding number two, the episode was filmed as it happened. 

From the extremely ocker vows from Sharon’s husband Nick to surprised look on Jesse’s face when he realised he wasn’t the groom, as far as we as the wedding guests knew, there was nothing scripted. 

To most of us this is reality TV, but to these couples it’s a real, fake wedding.

While nothing binds these couples legally, they still said their ‘I dos’ to strangers. 

So why go on a show like this? In a world of Tinder, online dating and of course, the old fashioned blind date, do we really need a TV show to set us up with Mr or Mrs Right? 

In short – no. In fact based on the show’s success rate (one couple out of four seasons) it’s not a very reliable dating solution.

But hey, at least you get a nice dress out of it right? And it’s a chance at love which is all some people need.