Watch My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding

My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding is a popular reality television show on TLC that follows the lives of travelers and gypsies as they plan and execute elaborate and extravagant weddings. Hosted by Paddy Doherty, a renowned Irish traveler and TV personality, the show takes viewers on a unique cultural journey to explore the traditions, customs, and way of life of gypsy and traveler communities.

The series captures the preparations and celebrations of weddings, which are considered a pivotal event in the lives of gypsy and traveler families. These weddings are nothing like regular weddings we see in mainstream culture. They are full of vibrant colors, over-the-top decorations, and extreme extravagance. Each bride and groom-to-be spend outrageous sums of money and endless hours planning the perfect wedding, complete with crystal-covered dresses, elaborate carriages drawn by horses, and seriously stunning floral arrangements.

The show also offers a glimpse into the intricate relationships between the members of these communities. It offers viewers an opportunity to see the strict hierarchy that exists within the tribes, with the role of women often limited to ensuring the household is looked after, while men handle business and family affairs. Old-fashioned gender roles and strict sets of conduct are often the norm for these families, and viewers can observe these traditions being upheld at the weddings and throughout the series.

While the weddings are undoubtedly the highlight of each episode, the show offers viewers a chance to see the unique and fascinating subculture of gypsies and travelers. The series follows families as they go about their everyday lives, such as when they go shopping for a caravan, visit their relatives or go horse racing. We also see how many travelers live down and out; others are filthy rich and live the high life. Whatever their situation in life, the series portrays how they all share a deep connection to their community, and many cling to traditional values.

Aside from the weddings, the show’s key moments highlight how travelers deal with everyday struggles, including the often-misunderstood circumstances they face. While some of them have chosen to embrace modernity and mainstream education, many travelers are still experiencing discrimination and intolerance from the rest of society. The show does this by showcasing several examples of judgment and prejudice against them in different contexts.

My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding offers a fascinating and eye-opening look into the traditions and behind-the-scenes preparations for the over-the-top weddings in the gypsy and traveler communities. It showcases the lives of often-misunderstood people who are still battling prejudices as they continue to find their place in contemporary society. The series leaves viewers examining and questioning their perception of arranged marriages, gypsy-traveler culture, and the challenges of living in a world that doesn’t accept differences and rather would have everyone conform to the same norms. It's a show that has a good dose of entertainment, yet also invites a broader audience to understand the gypsy traveler lifestyle and the challenges that come with it.

My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding is a series that ran for 3 seasons (19 episodes) between May 29, 2011 and on TLC