Originally published 11 January 2011;
Who hasn't watched the ongoing series of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding? Fantastic, isn't it!
In the style of last year's Cutting Edge film, which revealed the extravagant nuptials between young traveller couples, the new series follows the trials of several more teenage brides. However this time, it delves into the lives of travellers and tries to uncover more about the Gypsy traditions and lifestyles, including the way a young girl is supposed to behave before marriage.
One thing that stood out to us in the Closer HQ though is the bizarre courtship rituals that the young traveller girls have to go through. Although, the girls are all dressed in scantily clad outfits, leaving not much to the imagination, their morals are very high. The girls are not allowed to be alone with a boy before marriage, they are not allowed to drink alcohol, and they is certainly no sex before marriage - but that doesn't stop the men from being able to 'grab' the girls when they please. `
‘Grabbing’ is a process which sees boys angling for a kiss from the girls.
With strict rules applying to the girls meaning they aren't allowed to approach boys, it's up to the males, aka the 'grabbers', to tempt the girl away from her group of friends and try to get a kiss off her, even sometimes going as far as twisting her arm.
And it appears Josie and her friends are content to live in what they repeatedly describe as 'a man's world', adding, 'We wouldn't have it any other way'.
The other main focus (in our eyes anyway!) was the extravagant dresses that the girls wear for their wedding days.
Describing her dress ahead of her big day, Josie enthused: 'Every girl wants their dress to be the best because you're only going to wear it that one day.
Josie wore a five-stone dress with a split to the thigh. It is obvious from the programme that these girls all aspire to marry young, as tradition. During the hour-long programme, we also saw eight-year-old Margarita preparing for her first Holy Communion. In a baby pink gown covered in 5,000 crystals along with matching tiara and veil – the dress weighs twice her own body weight, but complaints are never heard. The occasion is seen as a dress rehearsal for a girl's wedding day.
All in all, a very interesting look into the travellers lives. We can’t wait for next week!