Have been asked if ITV can film our wedding.......

I think I'd try to clarify what the freebies will be (e.g. are you going to get a free wedding breakfast or are you going to get some baseball caps!).

I'd also want to know what exactly they want to film - e.g. are they going to be around when you're getting ready, are you going to need to "retake" some bits like the vows or cutting the cake.

I dunno really - my first thought was wowee that would be amazing, but there's quite a lot to weigh up. Can you do a google and find out how people have felt previously having things filmed - e.g. four weddings/don't tell the bride?

I'd personally be wary and I don't think that's nearly enough information - can you say provisionally yes but we want full details of what they're planning? E.g. do they want interviews with ILs, guests rest of wedding party, how intrusive will the film crew be on the day, how much of your planning are they going to want to use e.g. would they expect an invite to your dress fittings etc. Personally my biggest worry would be that I really wouldn't want a Bridezilla moment (not that there were many) or a disagreement with H2B broadcast for all the world to see.

That said, it's horses for courses and if the freebies are likely to be good (and with no significant strings attached) it might be good fun!

That's not long to make such a big decision!

I think brideseekingblush speaks a lot of sense. You need to know exactly what would be expected of you and exactly what you'd get before you could make such a decision.

Not entirely convinced I'd agree either.

What Mrs P said really. I'd be worried I would lose control over my day to be honest. TV crews can be nightmares - they have so much equipment and (quite rightly) are just focused on getting great footage for their show not on your priorities as a bride. If you can cope with that though then go for it!

Personally I wouldn't go for this at all, regardless of the freebies as I don't actually like the thought of my wedding being on TV. I want it to be a day about me and OH and celebrating our love for each other with close family and friends, and I think if you throw a TV crew into the mix it would bring a completely different dynamic to the day. Obviously each to their own and some would obviously love the idea, but I know I would probably be constantly thinking of how I'm coming across on TV and it would make me pretty paranoid! For me that's not what I want my wedding day to be about.

That said, for the right couple it could be a great experience (especially if you get freebies!) - it just wouldn't be our cup of tea at all. Everyone's different!

If you are considering it I would also agree with Brideseekingblush's advice, obviously you need all the precise details.

Either way good luck and let us know what you decide!

They have told us some more info but I'm going to discuss with my h2b when he gets in and then if we feel we would even slightly consider it, will be phoning the venue tomorrow for all the info.

We are not a couple who like being the centre of attention and although it sounds too good to be true, I don't quite fancy having a film crew tailing us everywhere we go.

Lots to think about.

As some of the others have said, I'd want to establish exactly what would be involved and just how much they'd be part of your day. You said that neither of you like being centre of attention and for that reason, if it was me, it'd be a no. Let us know how you get on.

Personally there wouldn't be a hope in hell I'd do it. I very much doubt (although would love to be proved wrong) that any TV crew will be doing it without wanting something in return and I wouldn't have been prepared to negotiate on my day at all. I also wouldn't want my day broadcast to the world for them to potentially criticise. Most wedding shows are there for people to *** over from the ones I've watched.

I don't think it's fair to tell you the answer is needed tomorrow as it's such a big day and you should be given enough time to think and consult the wedding party as they might not be comfortable about being on TV.

That said if you are happy to do it, the wedding party don't feel comfortable and get enough reassurance that your day won't change much then you might save some money.

If you were planning on having your own videographer there you will need to check whether that would be allowed as ITV might want exclusive filming rights.

I don't think I would be too keen as I haven't seen a wedding show yet where they haven't made the bride look like a bridezilla with clever editing. A nice straight forward lovely wedding doesn't make good tv ratings sadly.

I was asked and turned it down. I wanted to enjoy the day for what it is not worry that it wasnt what others thought it should be. Think serously about it

Em xx

If my OH was reading this he would be jumping at the chance he wanted us to sign up to Four weddings and dont tell the bride!!! Not on my nelly would I have agreed to this tho I hate the idea of being filmed, tv reality star is not my ambition unlike his HA HA! I am already worrying about everyone watching me walk down the aisle and the first dance all eyes on me is not my idea of fun and thats an understatement!

I would think about all the reality tv programmes you have seen...... has there ever been one where a drama hasnt come about?! I think you need to find out the purpose of the filming and whether you have any say in the editing, which is very unlikely.

If it was me I would think about whether you would like to be followed throughout all the preparation and the actual day with interference from the crew.

I cant imagine your day would be completely in your control as ITV are going to want to capture every little moment especially the bits that dont go so smoothly.

I'm sure the idea of freebies sounds fabulous but remember this is your special day and you want it to go the way you want afterall.

my post dont half sound negative LOL

I would be very wary about this. I was in a lengthy PM exchange with an old hitcher who had something like this done. The piece was edited in a way that was factually incorrect. They (although to be honest it wasn't ITV) did insist that they were the only people at the wedding with a video camera and then all they gave her were VHS copies with burnt in timecode.

I would ask what the purpose of the film is about(and get the programmes name to ascertain the genre of the programme), what parts precisely that they want to film of you and exactly how much you will be left to get on with the day.

Peter

Have they given you any info at all?

Why not?? i defo would xx

Its exciting just to be asked!!!!! i'm not even having a videographer at mine coz i hate seeing myself on old holiday videos never mind national TV. if everyones ok with it and its worth it then why not!!!

Have you decided to go through with it?

As I mentioned earlier in this thread.....

"The piece was edited in a way that was factually incorrect.".......

The bride was very upset as the broadcast programme depicted her actions in a very different way to what actually happened and portraid her very negatively....they edited different days shooting and made it appear that it was from the same day to create a drama that never really happened. That is totally wrong IMO and if I were to ever marry again (don't tell the wife), I would not personally be up for this as most tv companies want drama for better viewing figures, not happy straightforward weddings.

The purpose of the programme needs to be ascertained before agreeing to any deal.

If you want any more detail as to why I feel so strongly about this, please PM me as I wont post in open form.

Peter

Are you doing it then?

Good god, no i would defo not do this. if you are a private person, why on earth would you want to be filmed on the most amazing and important day of your life so far? even if you did get a hefty discount and lots of freebies.

you cannot control the content so you have no control over how you/the venue are depicted.

Hi all,

We both agreed it was not for us, therefore didn't even phone the venue for further details.

Like many of you said, we would not want anyone else to have control of our day and also do not know how the programme would portray it.

Nice to be asked tho. i'll be a film star yet! ;-)

Sure you have made the right decision, Be interesting to see if they actually get someone and to see it on tv at some point.

I guess it would have been an extra pressure on top of all the normal wedding pressures too.

I have covered a wedding, which was in turn covered by one of the UK's large TV channels Don't ask me which one!

The camera men weren't obnoxious or anything, but they did get in the way, so our ability to get the shots for the bride and Groom was compromised.

The worst bit though, is that in the program that aired, they totally focused on the issues that the Bride and Groom had with the Grooms parents and in my opinion, totally blew it out of proportion.

The point is, they are there looking for a story, something to sell the program they are making. They don't care on the whole if they get in the way, and if there's something there to make a better program, they'll exploit it.

Personally, I wouldn't, if you knew the problems this couple had afterwards (As you can imagine), neither would you!

Pete x