One of the new series set to premiere on TNT this week is Wedding Day. In each episode, one deserving couple is surprised with the wedding of their dreams. After viewing a few of the episodes, I was unsurprised to learn that along with Mark Burnett (Survivor), DreamWorks’ Darryl Frank and Into the West’s Justin Falvey, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’s Janelle Fiorito is among the executive producers of this series. I say this because based on what I’ve seen from the first few episodes, Wedding Day could easily be titled Extreme Makeover: Wedding Edition.
If you’re familiar with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, then you know the popular ABC series introduces viewers to a family that is exceptionally generous and giving, suffered some kind of loss or tragedy and/or is living with one or more family member with an illness or handicap. These are truly deserving people and that is part of what makes EMHE such a mushy, sappy joy to watch. EMHE builds the family a new house (or rebuilds/renovates their old house) in an effort to make life easier for them, customizing the home to fit their specific wants and needs. Wedding Day is just like that, except with weddings.
Take Holli and Steve for example. They’re featured in an early episode of the series and before we get to the wedding business, we’re told a little bit about their story. They were set to get married but a few days prior to their wedding Holli got into a nearly fatal car accident and the wedding had to be put on hold. Since then she’s been recovering from the accident with her supportive fiancé at her side. Enter Celebrity event planner and food expert Alan Dunn and celebrity wedding producer and designer Diann Valentine. The two swoop in to get to know the couple and surprise them with the perfect wedding. Getting to know the couple and their family and friends is key to creating a wedding that is customized to suit the bride and groom and this show definitely goes above and beyond to achieve this.
Another episode follows Army Capt. Shawn Fitzgerald & Capt. Christina Fanitzi whose wedding plans were postponed while they were both serving in Iraq. The episode includes their reunion as they return from overseas and the surprise wedding that’s waiting for them. This often includes special surprises like famous musical guests brought in to serenade the happy couple for their first dance as man and wife. From the dress to the ceremony and reception, we get to see how Wedding Day brings it all together and what their loved ones do to participate in this mega-gift caught on tape.
What works about Wedding Day is the same thing that works so well for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. It’s not just the satisfaction at getting to see two nice people get their perfect day. It’s how the show introduces the couple, revealing that they haven’t had it easy and that maybe they do deserve the time, attention (and money) that’s being put in to give them the moment they’ve worked hard to have.
With shows like Bridezillas and movies like Bride Wars emphasizing just how insane the whole wedding-planning thing is, when the brides (and sometimes grooms) get so caught up in making everything perfect or topping their friends’ weddings, that its easy to forget that a wedding is about more than just having a good time. Wedding Day isn’t just another show that showcases wedding-madness. This is a series that embraces what a wedding truly is. The coming together of friends and family to celebrate the beginning of a union between two people. And given what these couples have been through, it’s easy to enjoy watching as their beginning comes together with the help and support of the people who love them.
Wedding Day - Series Premiere
Starring: Diann Valentine, Alan Dunn
Premieres: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. ET on TNT
