Big Fat Gypsy Weddings! | UKbride

Tuesday night’s episode of Channel 4’s Big Fat Gypsy Weddings documented 16-year-old Josie and her intended — Swanley — in the run up to their big day. Within an hour viewers had gained an insight into the secretive, extravagant, and surprising world of gypsies and travellers in Britain.

After its initial success last February, (the show drew in 4.5 million viewers,) discussions in the UKbride Forum on Tuesday night confirmed the Channel 4 show’s unfaltering popularity!

After traipsing round for an hour searching for the church, an unflustered Swanley arrived at the ceremony on time (much to everyone’s surprise!) With the words ‘Help Me’ emblazoned on the sole of his shoes, the happy couple tied the knot. The show went on to witness the groom later cutting the cake in a casual white tank top, whilst Josie struggled to take her seat at the reception as her five stone dress weighed her down.

The show is a fascinating insight into the customs and traditions encompassed by travelling communities. Brides are expected to be virgins when they marry, and the consumption of alcohol is strictly forbidden amongst gypsy families — proving that you can’t judge a book by its cover. A point on which Thelma Medine — the travellers’ dressmaker who appeared in Tuesday’s episode — expanded upon; “When I first seen them, it was like ‘my god…’ They did look like prostitutes – that’s how you would describe them… you wouldn’t let your daughter walk around like that.”

However, she went on to say; “But when you get to know them, their morals are so high, you would say they are definitely stuck in a time warp.”

At the height of the travelling community's wedding culture is the rivalry between gypsy brides for the biggest and best dress — many of which weigh as much as half a woman’s body weight.

“Usually a girl gets scars in the dress because it’s so heavy” one girl revealed.

“The more it bleeds, the better the dress,” said another.

Subsequent episodes are set to reveal the stark contrast between day-to-day life and the gypsy brides' fairytale weddings.

Will married life match the extravagance of their big days?

We’ll have to wait and see...