Don't Tell the Bride
By Kari Croop,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
British wedding reality show tests limits of "true" love.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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What's the Story?
Misty-eyed brides and grooms get 12,000 pounds (about $18,000 U.S.) to pay for their weddings in DON'T TELL THE BRIDE. But, of course, there's a catch: It's the groom, not the bride, who's making all the decisions -- and the bride can't say anything about it. In each episode, a new couple puts their love to the test by signing a legally binding contract that prevents the bride and groom from talking to, texting, or phoning each other for four long weeks. On her wedding day, the bride shows up wearing a dress that she didn't pick out ... and not knowing what else to expect.
Is It Any Good?
It's always refreshing to watch the Brits' take on reality television, mostly because it eschews the catfights, staged dialogue, and "shocking twists" we've come to expect on this side of the pond. But it would be pretty naive to assume that Don't Tell the Bride doesn't have an ulterior motive in presenting brides and grooms with the chance to have their weddings completely paid for. After all, a good reality show needs at least some drama -- and, let's face it, most viewers need it, too.
There's more than a little schadenfreude involved when an overly controlling bride who expects two different dresses -- one for the ceremony and one for the reception -- gets only one, and she hates it to boot. And it only gets better when she screams into her hands and seethes, "He'd better love me forever, and he better never leave me." Blimey. There's a good lesson to be learned here about love, but not everyone will be interested in learning it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether there are real differences between British and American brides and grooms when it comes to the scale of the "average" wedding. Do Americans seem to spend more money, time, and effort on their wedding days, or are Brits equally obsessive? Do you think that agreeing to the show's terms of turning all decision-making over to the groom is a good way for cash-strapped couples to pay for their weddings? What's the true cost of accepting the show's "free" money?
TV Details
- Premiere date: May 15, 2009
- Cast: Rebekah Staton, Ruth Jones
- Network: BBC America
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: February 24, 2022
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