My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding

My UK friends are really excited about the Channel 4 train wreck known as My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. Basically, it is Jersey Shore for English people. Gypsies (not Romani people, but Irish Travellers) are not well-liked. They are known as thieves, and are considered trashy and obnoxious*. They make money by doing labor jobs and other odds and ends, and apparently from swindling people (hence the bad reputation). Weddings and other celebrations are a big deal, so the Travellers save for ages to put on the biggest, showiest, Traveller-iest weddings possible.

To get a taste of what the Brits are watching, here are a few YouTube clips (sadly, full episode viewing is blocked in the US) that I am not allowed to embed, because Channel 4 hates us.

Hen Party - also known as a bachelorette party.

Electric Wedding Dress - also known as a fascinating eyesore. It lights up and has moving butterflies!

I really do think that this can best be equated to the Jersey Shore, only they don't drink because they are from a sub-culture that lacks inhibitions. Having never watched the Jersey Shore, you'll have to tell me if I'm wrong.

Hopefully the Big Fat Gypsy Wedding series will be shown on BBC America or Netflix because I can't wait to watch the rest of the episodes.

*This is my understanding, not my opinion. I have never met a Gypsy - Romani or Irish - so I have no personal opinion.

Weird/cute proposal that stops time

This guy wanted to proposed to his girlfriend in a spectacular way - he wanted to stop time:



Skip ahead to 5:15 to just see the proposal, but if you do you'll miss the part where they take the groom-to-be shopping. He tries on clothes suggested by the fashion expert and says that they're uncomfortable, weird, and he doesn't like them, but "Nadia will like it". Sounds awful. And the result was jeans and a sport coat. Eye roll!

The proposal is also a little off - she looks embarrassed and annoyed. But hopefully they're happier than this video demonstrates.

My favorite part is the crowd. They all do such a good job of freezing - I especially like the guy who is halfway into eating something, and his mouth is wiiiiide open. Such commitment!

If there are any grooms out there who want to do this without the planning committee and camera crew, here's my idea. Talk to your favorite local ma and pa hangout. Fill said hangout with your friends and family (who will do this for free). Go for a casual dinner with friends, and then, after dinner, stand up and snap your fingers. It won't be perfect, but you'll be surrounded by all the people you love for an immediate celebration.

-KB

Thanks to absentee guest blogger Harriet for the link.