Are the marriages of ‘Married At First Sight’ real? The truth about the ceremonies featured on the show

'Married at First Sight' has contestants matched up with complete strangers, so are the marriages on the show real? Here are the details
'MAFS' Season 15 couples Stacia and Nate, and Krysten and Mitch during their wedding ceremonies on the show (@mafslifetime/Instagram)
'MAFS' Season 15 couples Stacia and Nate, and Krysten and Mitch during their wedding ceremonies on the show (@mafslifetime/Instagram)

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA: ‘Married at First Sight’ is a show that surely raises the stakes to soaring heights! Because as the title itself states, contestants who want to star in the show must agree to marry at first sight. The show has garnered massive amounts of fame with a loyal fanbase and racked upto 15 seasons. But the premise of the show makes many fans wonder: are the marriages on the show actually legitimate?

Saying “I do” to a stranger definitely sounds absurd, but let’s be honest, reality TV shows thrive on absurdity. ‘Married at First Sight’ stars brave contestants willing to let a team of relationship experts choose a partner for them. It means these people don’t have the slightest clue who their partner is, as they will only lay their eyes on them directly at the altar. The show’s wedding day reveals are agreeably the most dramatic aspect of ‘Married at First Sight’. So it is only natural for many viewers to ponder the legitimacy of these ceremonies because how far are people willing to go for a reality TV show, huh? Well, here’s the whole truth behind these “arranged” marriages.

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Are the marriages of ‘Married at First Sight’ real?

Now it may surprise a few, but yes, these marriages are very much real. In fact, if you want to star in the show, you need to be a single pringle, meaning there should not be a ring on that finger. Many couples who have previously appeared on the show have confirmed the rule. Although they have also revealed that even if the marriage is authentic, the ceremonies, on the other hand, are sometimes subject to multiple takes. As in, the first kiss you may see on the show might not really be the first kiss of the couple, as the showrunners prefer to shoot multiple takes for a perfect shot for viewers to enjoy.

Sometimes, marrying a complete stranger does work out well. After all, some of the couples from the show’s previous seasons are still going strong. But often, the marriages also end in disaster.



 

So what happens when it doesn’t work out?

Couples on ‘Married at First Sight’ require to stick it out for at least eight weeks of the show. The episode ‘Decision Day’ reveals whether they will stay together or file for divorce. Producers ensure to take steps to protect participants in case the matchmakers get it wrong, and the couple decides not to stay together. They make sure the couples sign prenups to ensure that participants don’t get into legal trouble. But the show does not cover the divorce costs, so it is totally upto the couple to finance their divorce bills.

‘Married at First Sight’ is currently airing Season 15. Catch the new episodes every Wednesday at 8/7c on Lifetime.

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