Mark Burnett sheds a tear for ‘Wedding Day’
By Michelle Lara | TV | May 22, 2009
Emmy award winning producer and TV show creator Mark Burnett is synonymous with bringing high intensity to television. Most notable is Survivor where contestants battle it out to see who is the ultimate survivor.
Some of his other popular shows include, ‘The Apprentice’, ‘The Contender’ and ‘Eco Mission’ - all of which have aired in every country in the world with stellar reviews and ratings.
It was much to my surprise when I found out Mark Burnett was behind a new TV show set to premier on June 16th on TNT – ‘Wedding Day’ gives deserving couples a wedding they themselves would not be able to afford.
Each week celebrity food expert Allan Dunn and celebrity wedding producer Diann Valentin create the ultimate dream wedding. Viewers learn the couples compelling and emotional story and why they were chosen and see the wedding created from start to finish.
I spoke to Mark Burnett earlier this week to discuss ‘Wedding Day” and find out what could be expected from TNT’s first reality series.
Where did the idea for a wedding show come along?
TNT brought this idea to me and it was an ongoing process. After seeing the tapes I was instantly drawn to the idea. I have this tough guy image, I’ve done a lot of tough adventure shows and I’m still a tough guy but I shed a tear watching. This show is about humanity and rewarding Americans. The American people are the biggest givers on Earth; they contribute more even in these tough economic times. This show rewards people who serve others and who can’t afford a big wedding, we fulfill that dream for them and I was touched.
How are the bride and groom chosen?
Many different ways it was harder this first season because the show was unknown. Family members would nominate them and we viewed the entry tapes.
Is it challenging creating these elaborate weddings in a short amount of time?
Yes, but it adds to the drama. Weather is an ongoing issue. The family works together to pull it off, also Janelle Fiorito from ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’ is used to this fast paced workflow and makes it happen each week.
What is your favorite part of a wedding?
The moment the bride and groom kiss, it symbolizes them starting a journey together. In the show I got into the idea of creating gates prior to the bride’s entrance she opens them and sees for the first time this incredible wedding that was planned for her and she can start her journey into her new life.
What marriage advice could you offer?
I’m married to a real life angel, Roma Downey who played an Angel on ‘Touched By An Angel’. Roma is less of a problem person more of a solution person. She has the ability to listen not just hear but actually listen. Communicating and completely listening is key if you want to make it work.
After speaking with Mark I got a sense of how important this project is to him and how much of himself he has put into it. It’s refreshing to see a television producer not only care about ratings but also the content of the show and the humanitarian side of it.
I should also add that Mark has received many coveted Philanthropy awards, so this show is right up his alley despite the tough guy persona most of us have of him. He’s dedicated his time to many charities and through this show seems to have found another way to give to those who are the most deserving.
Kudos to Mark and hooray for ‘Wedding Day’.
If you’re a hopeless romantic and can’t get enough of weddings then you’ll enjoy ‘Wedding Day’. I do suggest having a box of tissues by your side just in case.
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