The Great Big Live Wedding Sign-Up: Your Guide To Tying The Knot

My Great Big Live Wedding is an eight-part reality TV series that follows eight couples as they work with renowned wedding planner David Tutera to plan their dream weddings. Each week, one couple shares their emotional and heart-warming story live from a different city or town across the country. The series culminates in the live broadcast of the weddings, brought to life by Tutera.

The live element

The live broadcast of the wedding will be the anchor of each episode, but it is essential that viewers are invested in the couples from the outset. This means being surgical about piecing together each couple's love story and finding the most compelling approach to capturing their history, engagement, and the massive physical and emotional challenges they've overcome.

Casting the couples

Source Couple Recommendations:

Ask for referrals and reach out to people with incredible stories. In some cases, different people pointed the casting team in the same direction, helping them identify the most deserving couples with remarkable journeys to the altar.

Define the Criteria:

Clearly define the criteria for selecting couples. For "My Great Big Live Wedding," the focus was on couples who had overcome significant life challenges, such as a war hero amputee, a victim of a racial hate crime, or an ambassador for cystic fibrosis awareness.

Interview Candidates:

Meet with numerous prospective brides and grooms to understand their stories and the challenges they've faced. Look for couples with emotional and heartwarming narratives that viewers can invest in and root for.

Assess Compatibility:

Consider how well the couples work together and support each other through difficult times. The show aims to celebrate love that endures despite the odds, so ensure the couples demonstrate a strong bond and unwavering commitment to each other.

Diversity of Stories:

Aim for a diverse range of couples and narratives. "My Great Big Live Wedding" featured couples impacted by national disasters, health crises, and personal tragedies. Each couple should bring a unique perspective and represent a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

Authenticity and Relatability:

Look for authenticity and relatability in the couples' stories. Viewers should be able to connect with the couples and feel invested in their journeys. The challenges the couples have faced should be relatable to a wider audience, evoking emotion and inspiration.

Visual Appeal:

While the primary focus is on the couples' stories, the visual aspect of the show is also important. Consider the couples' personalities, styles, and how they will come across on screen. Think about how their stories and aesthetics will translate to television and capture the audience's attention.

By following these guidelines, you can cast couples who will not only meet the criteria of the show but also captivate and inspire the audience, creating a successful and engaging reality TV experience.

Casting the host

• Look for a well-known personality: When casting a host for a TV show, it is essential to look for a well-known personality who has a strong presence in the industry. This could be a celebrity, a well-respected expert in their field, or someone who has hosted similar shows before. For example, David Tutera, the host of "My Great Big Live Wedding," is an award-winning celebrity wedding planner, fashion designer, and television star. Having a recognisable face as the host can help attract viewers and add credibility to the show.
• Consider expertise and experience: The host of "My Great Big Live Wedding" should ideally be an expert in wedding planning and have extensive knowledge of the industry. They should be able to offer valuable insights, answer questions from the couples, and provide creative solutions to any challenges that may arise during the planning process. Experience in hosting similar shows can also be beneficial, as it ensures the host is comfortable in front of the camera and can handle live broadcasts with ease.
• Charisma and on-screen presence: The host should have a charismatic personality and excellent on-screen presence. They need to be engaging, personable, and able to connect with the couples and the audience. Look for someone who can bring energy and enthusiasm to the show, as well as a certain level of comfort and confidence in front of the camera.
• Authenticity and empathy: It is essential that the host of "My Great Big Live Wedding" is authentic and empathetic. They should be able to connect with the couples on an emotional level, understand their stories, and celebrate their love. The host should also be able to handle sensitive topics with grace and compassion, especially when dealing with couples who have faced challenging circumstances.
• Ability to handle live broadcasts: Since "My Great Big Live Wedding" involves live broadcasts, it is crucial that the host is comfortable with unscripted moments and can think on their feet. They should be able to adapt to any unexpected situations, handle last-minute changes, and ensure that the show runs smoothly, even when things don't go according to plan.
• Collaboration with the production team: The host should be able to collaborate effectively with the production team, including the executive producers, directors, and other crew members. They should be open to feedback, willing to incorporate suggestions, and able to work within the format and structure of the show. A good working relationship between the host and the production team is essential for a successful TV show.

Capturing the love story

To capture the essence of each couple's love story effectively, it's essential to piece together their history, engagement, and the physical and emotional obstacles they've surmounted. The narrative should be compelling and evoke emotions, ensuring that the audience is invested in the couple's story within the first five minutes.

The series highlights couples with diverse and remarkable backstories, such as a war hero amputee, a victim of a racial hate crime, and a cystic fibrosis survivor who underwent a successful lung transplant. These individuals' experiences showcase courage and survival against all odds, reflecting the theme of the show – that love conquers all.

The live element of the show adds a layer of excitement and unpredictability, with the potential for surprises and unexpected twists. The renowned wedding planner, David Tutera, plays a pivotal role in bringing each couple's dream wedding to life, incorporating their ideas, spirit, and unique touches.

The show's success lies not only in the live broadcast of the weddings but also in the ability to engage viewers with the couples' love stories, creating an emotional connection that makes the audience root for them.

Staying light on your feet

Being light on your feet is about being agile and quick in your movements. It's not just about the physical aspect of being lightweight but also about having control over your weight transfers, so you can move effortlessly and powerfully.

Tips to stay light on your feet for your wedding:

• Practice footwork: Use different parts of your foot, like your toes, heels, and even the edges of your feet, to transition smoothly between steps.
• Avoid staying flat-footed: Plopping down flat-footed can make it harder to move with speed and control. Instead, focus on pushing into the floor with your foot to power your next move.
• Strengthen your legs: Build strength in your calves, upper legs, and glutes. This will give you more power and stability during quick movements.
• Improve balance: Work on your balance by doing exercises like calf raises, which can be done anywhere, anytime.
• Practice skipping: Skipping rope is a great way to improve your agility and quickness.
• Use agility ladders: Agility ladders can help improve your footwork and overall coordination.
• Try dancing: Take up a dance style like salsa or lindy-hop to improve your footwork and learn to move with grace and speed.
• Focus on small steps: Shrinking the distance of your steps will force your feet to be faster and lighter to cover the same distance.
• Go barefoot: Modern feet tend to be weak due to the support provided by shoes. Going barefoot can help strengthen your feet and allow your toes to spread out naturally.
• Practice consciously: During your training, focus on being light and quick in your movements. Practice bouncing or pivoting when you have a free moment.

By incorporating these tips into your routine, you'll be light on your feet and ready to move gracefully through your wedding celebrations.

Frequently asked questions