Arts writer
FOUR pushy brides are so convinced they’re having the perfect wedding – they’re prepared to stake their honeymoon on it. The sexist, stereotypical idea that every bride-to-be is convinced that their special day will be the wedding to end all weddings is still a popular mantra. They’ve been planning it for years, it’s cost them a small fortune, they’ve invited everyone they know. They want it to be the best wedding anyone has ever been to. For some it’s as if wedding day is some kind of competition – well now it really is. In Four Weddings South Africa, competing brides do just that – with apparently fascinating and sometimes hilarious results.
Launching on October 16, each episode follows four brides as they attend each other’s special wedding day. At the end of the day, they must vote on which ceremony takes the cake, with the winning bride and groom whisked off to a dream honeymoon destination. From naked brides to biker brides, from Zulu brides to Tswana brides, from bitchy brides to chocolate box brides, this series is bound to entertain, and possibly make you think twice as to whom you invite to your special day.
Narrating Four Weddings South Africa is comedian Alan Committie, one of the country’s leading stand-up comics who is also an award winning actor as well as a theatre director. Committie’s prior television work includes conceiving, co-writing and executive producing the sitcom Those Who Can’t, as well as being the star of the first three seasons of Laugh out Loud.
Now he’ll be adding his own magic to this reality wedding show.
In the series, the winning brides score the highest marks for dress, venue, food and overall experience. So be prepared to “taste” anything from braaivleis to morogo, “experience” the customs of various South Africa communities and “hear” the languages of the Rainbow Nation in all their splendour in this diverse show.
Says producer Kee-Len Irvine: “We are confident that, with its compelling mix of brides and budgets, cultures and tastes, Four Weddings South Africa will make for fascinating and jaw-dropping entertainment.”
In one segment dubbed Looks Can Be Deceiving viewers meet dainty Jacqueline. Her sunflower yellow and black colour scheme will have to pull out all the stops to impress the cut- throat group of judging brides. We meet Dinah the diva and self-proclaimed Kasi girl who invites the entire town of Villiers to her wedding. But does this impress the guests? Next up is romantic Sharon with her diamond bling and white, alcohol-free wedding.
Finally, hairstylist to the rich and famous is Pretty Ndlovu with her celebrity studded family fusion wedding.
In the Naked Ambition episode you get to meet Zulu maiden Nthabiseng, who is marrying her long-time Swati boyfriend amidst the lush greenery of Johannesburg’s botanical gardens. The second wedding is a naked affair for naturists Joanne and her husband-to-be who will tie the knot at a bushveld retreat on the outskirts of Pretoria. The third wedding is that of Sizakele who is organising her extravagant, fun-filled wedding at a popular family picnic spot. Will the clouds settle on this elegant, rustic country wedding with an unlimited budget?
In Saddle Up Kyly’s four legged guest of honour could steal the show. Will there be a pot of gold at the end of Zanele’s African rainbow wedding? Will Mpho’s elegant Xhosa-Swazi-Tswana-Sotho-fusion wedding take the cake, or will Hanri’s traditional Afrikaans cuisine and sakkie sakkie dancing win her honeymoon magic? In All Aboard flamboyant Keke celebrates marriage to her Orthodox Jewish boyfriend in Sotho sesheshwe style. Jacqueline aims to impress with a quirky Afrikaans wedding. While Danisha opts for a stylish country wedding to show off her exquisite taste and Tanya chooses a river frontage wedding to float her boat.
The It’s My Party… episode introduces Muslim bride Fagmieda, who will try to dazzle the other brides with a large and colourful Islamic wedding. Meanwhile, feisty Roxanne pulls out all the stops with her classic, country wedding. Next up is Robyn who celebrates in grand Portuguese style, and finally, fun-loving bride Tatum offers up a beach party themed wedding.
One For All and All For One sees art teacher Jolene hoping her steampunk fancy dress wedding will wow the girls back to the Victorian age. Classy Simoné is goes all out with her fun-filled Afrikaans wedding with lots of “boerekos”. This is second time around for Annatjie and her fiancé, but this time they believe they’ve found their soul mates. And yoga teacher Annika will say yes at her rustic outdoor wedding on a herb farm.
Then meet Latoya in Diesel, Dust & Diamonds. She’s a model whose mink coloured wedding-come-fashion show might just dazzle the other three brides. Farmer’s wife-to-be Leandri hopes her Afrikaans wedding with a French twist will sweep the judges off their feet. Sheroma may just impress with her Indian Christian wedding with all the flamboyant embellishments. Lastly, biker chick Lenay who has invited all her leather-clad, friends to celebrate her big day. Feathers fly in Chicken With Skin. This includes Lia’s traditional Afrikaans wedding with lots of “langarm” dancing.
It’s supposedly the stuff that fairytales are made of – you decide.
l On Lifetime, DStv Channel 131.