Name: My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding
Genre: Documentary, Reality
Released: 2010-02-18
Rating: 2.4

Overview

Big Fat Gypsy Weddings is a British documentary series broadcast on Channel 4, that explores the lives and traditions of several Irish Traveller families as they prepare to unite one of their number in marriage. The series also featured Romanichal in several episodes, and has been criticised for not accurately representing England’s Romani and Travelling community. It was first broadcast in February 2010 as a one-off documentary called My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, filmed as part of the Cutting Edge series and voted Most Groundbreaking Show in the Cultural Diversity Awards 2010. A series of 5 episodes were later commissioned, and the series first aired in January 2011. A second series began airing in February 2012. A third series was not made, rather the show ended with six stand-alone specials.

Seasons

Season 1

7 Episodes

2011

E01

Born to Be Wed

1/18/2011

This episode looks at the milestones in a Gypsy girl's life leading to the biggest day of all - her wedding. From first Holy Communion (described as a 'dress rehearsal for her wedding day') to the strict rules of courtship, a hen night and, of course, the spectacular wedding itself, this episode examines the traditions and rules followed by Gypsy and traveller girls in Britain today.

E02

No Place Like Home

1/25/2011

Romany Gypsy Pat faces criticism for marrying a non-gypsy. But his bride Sam is determined to prove her Gypsy girl credentials with a 14-stone dress that lights up in the dark. With 21 underskirts and moving diamante butterflies, it weighs more than the bride's father. Six-year-old Mary Ann lives on Europe's biggest traveller site, Dale Farm in Essex, which is home to more than 1000 travellers. With a site eviction looming, Mary Ann's mother Margaret hastily arranges the celebration for her daughter's first communion.

E03

Desperate Housewives

2/1/2011

A look beyond the enormous wedding dresses, sequins and tiaras to unveil the lot of a Gypsy woman. It's not all just about having blingtastic nuptials. With literacy and education largely deemed unnecessary and domestic abuse startlingly common, the contrast between the daily life of a gypsy girl and the glitz and glamour of their wedding day is stark.

E04

Boys Will Be Boys

2/8/2011

While Gypsy and traveller women want to be a princess on their wedding day, the reality in the Gypsy community is that on every other day it is man who is king. This film looks at the testosterone-filled world of the traveller man, where disputes are settled with fists, and status is conveyed by the car you drive. Ex bare-knuckle boxer Paddy, the patriarch of a traveller site in Salford, explains the role of a traveller man and, crucially, how he earns enough to keep wife Roseanne happy.

E05

Bride & Prejudice

2/15/2011

This film visits the annual Appleby Horse Fair and examines the prejudice against the travelling community in Britain today. Discrimination is nothing new to the traveller community and their secretive seclusion from mainstream society seems to be their only defence.

E06

My Big Fat Gypsy Christmas

12/13/2011

Christmas is a time for family, a time for peace and harmony - but it is also a time to celebrate. This film follows the celebrations and traditions of members of the Irish traveller community at Christmas, as well as two of the most jaw dropping weddings ever shown. Filmed last year, the programme follows a mass-Yuletide First Communion ceremony. It also follows some of the unique traveller preparations that go on in the run up to Christmas, and spends Christmas Day itself with Paddy and Roseanne at their home on a traveller site in Salford.

E07

Episode 7

Season 2

7 Episodes

2012

E01

Diamantes Are Forever

2/14/2012

This episode explores the competitive streak that lies behind the now famous gypsy look and the extraordinary sacrifices that are taken to achieve it.

E02

I Fought the Law

2/21/2012

In this episode, Irish Traveller Danielle is determined to live her life in a traditional way and, at just 15, is planning a lavish black pink and bling hen party.

E03

School of Hard Knocks

2/28/2012

As the eldest granddaughter of a family with both Romany gypsy and Irish traveller heritage, 15 year old Santana is expected to follow strict rules for girls and set a good example for her younger family members.

E04

Love Conquers All

3/6/2012

This episode explores further the cultural divide between gypsies and non-gypsies and looks at what happens when the two worlds are thrust together in marriage.

E05

Reputation Is Everything

3/13/2012

For Gypsies and Travellers, a clean family name is crucial, and the consequences of losing it are devastating. After causing a scandal by spending time alone with her boyfriend, Rosanne is rushed up the aisle to save her reputation.

E06

Out of Site, Out of Mind

3/20/2012

In this episode we witness a community at a cross roads, as the battle to preserve the gypsy and traveller way of life intensifies. Will the future tear their culture apart, or do they have a place together in the modern world?

E07

We Are Family

3/27/2012·60m

For generations, traveller celebrations have been a family affair. In this episode we meet the Mcfadyens, a large Irish traveller family in the midst of a series of celebrations.