Are wedding bells a reality?
By Nicole Rodriguez
Ever since my roommate introduced me to "The Bachelorette," I have been an avid fan of the reality dating shows. So it's pretty needless to say that I found it exciting that, just weeks after Andrew Firestone chose his bride on the third installment of "The Bachelor," former Bachelorette Trista Rehn and Fiancà Ryan Sutter announced on May 13 that they would be the first reality show couple to go through with tying the knot - and that ABC would have permission to televise the fall event in two prime time segments consisting of a two-hour pre-nuptial special as well as a two-hour wedding special.
Although US magazine published quotes from former reality TV contestant Amanda Marsh ("The Bachelor") and Sarah Kozer ("Joe Millionaire") criticizing the happy couple for their decision, one cannot help but consider the advantages to the decision.
First, there is the fact that ABC has offered to cover all wedding expenses, from the dress to the invitation. This gives the couple the ability to truly have the wedding of their dreams without having to be concerned with costs - a factor which in reality, does keep many people from being able to enjoy a fantasy wedding.
Secondly, the couple is currently enduring a great deal of criticism due to the fact that this decision will allow the viewing public in on every aspect of the event. Many people believe that marriage is supposed to be a sacred, private event and that televising it cheapens the experience by turning it into a media spectacle.
However, the reality of the situation at hand is that this series has turned Rehn and Sutter into celebrities for the moment, and it is rare to have celebrities marry without the presence of the media, whether they're invited or not. The press has been hounding the pair for dates and details concerning their wedding vows since Sutter first proposed in the conclusion to last season's series. At least by allowing the event to be covered the couple will be able to determine media outlets attending and will have the coverage be on their terms instead leaving themselves at the mercy of random paparazzi.
And let's be honest, after a series of short-lived relationships from all of the former contestants, who doesn't want to see at least one of these reality couples go all the way?