NARRATOR: Last night...
I don't know if I've brought my wedding dress.
(SCREAMS)
So, we're running about two hours late at the moment.
..Mel almost missed her own wedding.
Sorry if I'm late.
But there was no missing Dino.
I have arrived!
No frickin' way.
While farmer Mick couldn't believe his luck...
Hi. Heaven to Betsy.
..when he was matched with bombshell bride Jess.
I think he is the bloody bee's knees.
(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
Tonight... HEIDI: I can't hide it.
I'm just gonna be freaking out.
I think I'm gonna vomit.
..one match is sizzling...
Oh, my god.
MIKE: This is the biggest thing... (SIGHS) ..I've ever done.
..but the other looks like fizzling...
I'm just here for the food and the drinks.
..unless Mark can win over...
It's difficult to tell whether she even likes me.
..his bristling bride.
No, that's even worse!
Any excuse to touch me, jeez.
(BELL TOLLS)
(GENTLE MUSIC)
In northern NSW,
Jessika and Mick are waking up
after spending their first night together as husband and wife.
Oh. Who are you? (LAUGHS)
Mick and I sort of opened up quite a bit last night after the wedding.
He's really great,
and I've got everything that I've asked for
and a match with somebody that's so much like myself.
We just have a good connection, which is great.
(LAUGHS)
I'm hoping there's a chemistry there.
Might have got a sneaky little kiss, but, yeah, that's about it.
I look gross.
Unbelievable.
You're unbelievable.
(BOTH LAUGH)
She is a gorgeous woman, but I've just got to play it slow,
and, you know, hopefully we're in for the long haul.
I just don't know what to do.
You know what? I'm just gonna go nuts.
For 38-year-old Melissa, marriage to her husband Dino
marks the end of an eight-year-long man drought.
Babe, baby steps. (LAUGHS) Baby steps! (LAUGHS)
She's got that energy that can brighten up anyone.
Pretty loud, pretty joyful, and that's all I want.
I obviously have not had sexual relations for quite a time.
Oh, no, I don't think we got intimate, like,
it was just us two.
He, like, kissed me and stuff,
like a husband-and-wife sort of kiss a few times,
but then, yeah, but nothing... No.
Come on, what's another day, what's another week
when you've got years racked up?
Oh, my gosh.
Are we ready for some more exciting matchmaking?
(CHUCKLES) Of the thousands of people who applied,
one guy who really stood out for me
is 44-year-old Mike.
(UPBEAT MUSIC)
I'm Mike. I'm 44 years old, and I'm from Queensland.
I've been an electrician for 25 years.
You know, it's given me a lot of freedom.
I've been able to travel and be self-employed as well.
I can get loose, right? Yeah.
I never really sit around wasting time.
You know, I am a social guy.
Hey, cheers, gents. MAN: Cheers, guys.
I've always had attention from girls.
(SENSUAL MUSIC)
You know, that's not a bad thing.
I've been travelling around the world
and staying in hostels and meeting women half my age,
and I've just left a trail of hearts in my wake.
But I'm exhausted by it.
I cannot break another heart.
What is interesting about Mike is that he knows who he is,
he knows what he wants in a relationship.
Yes, he is highly confident,
but also, there seems to be a little bit of arrogance,
a little bit of showing off.
Which is why I think it's been a challenge for him
to have a long-term relationship.
(SUBDUED PIANO MUSIC)
At middle age,
it's different to being single in your 20s and your 30s.
It's lonely.
I don't want to be a 50-year-old single man.
I never thought once about being this age
and not having a family.
I don't want life to pass me by.
So, now's the time.
I want a family.
I still think I'm young enough and I've got plenty of energy.
And I would love to think that I would be a good father.
I want to be a dad and I want to be a husband.
Really feel like I'm ready to meet someone special
and be sincerely looking to build a future with someone.
For the right girl,
if she captures my heart and my imagination,
it's a done deal.
TRISHA: What I like about Mike
is that he's clearly done a lot of self-reflection.
He's come back from overseas
and he's found that all his friends have settled down,
and now he's finally serious about finding the one for himself.
And while he's finally ready to commit to a relationship,
I can't see Mike wanting to give up his adventurous nature,
which is why I think he'd be a great match for Heidi,
who wants to get into a serious relationship
but also enjoy the adventure in life.
Hey, it's Heidi here this morning, it's 24 degrees,
and we are looking for your dating disasters.
I'm Heidi, I'm 38 years old, and I'm from the Sunshine Coast.
I am a radio announcer, and I love it so much.
(LAUGHS) Yeah! Really?
Because you just get to talk to people about their lives.
Oh, my goodness. I know exactly how you feel.
Excuse me, I have lots of taste!
People think that I am crazy, because I'm enthusiastic about life.
(LAUGHS)
But why not get excited about things? Why not? You know?
I love travelling, I love doing different things, exploring.
I've had a few boyfriends, yep. Quite a few.
OK, I've had lots of boyfriends. (CHUCKLES)
But in the past, when they don't work,
I just put things in a suitcase and went on other adventures.
I've moved round lots of different places
and kind of been searching, I feel like, for that stability.
Heidi, you seem very independent to me.
Yeah, very independent. Why is that?
I grew up in a family with lots of turmoil.
And then I had to move out of home,
so, I was 16, and I went to foster care.
There was nowhere for me to live in the world.
It made me untrusting of people.
It made me think, well, the only person I've got is myself.
Tell me about the love life of Heidi.
What do we need to know about it?
I don't know how to meet anyone these days.
I've swiped a left, swiped right. That doesn't suit me.
I want to smell someone. I want to listen to their voice.
So I feel like I'm a little bit old-fashioned in that way.
And I feel like if I just keep going,
I'm just gonna be single for the rest of my life,
and that's why I've come to you.
I'm ready to be settled
and I'm ready to begin building a future.
I do want to create a stable family of my own.
I would love more than anything to find someone
that can bring me home at the end of the night
and we can go, "Yeah, this is our home together."
If it's the right place, the right person, I'm gonna stay.
I've got lots of love to give, and I am ready.
I am ready to go get that love, and, yeah. (LAUGHS)
So, we've got fun, free-spirited Heidi,
and then we've got Mike, who is just as adventurous,
but understands that time is running out for him to settle down.
I like the fact that Mike is confident,
but also very calm.
And that balances out well with Heidi's sort of, you know,
warm, lively personality.
Heidi and Mike, then. Let's lock them in.
MEL: Heidi and Mike.
Now I want to talk about a feisty hairdresser by the name of Ning.
She's an incredibly complicated individual,
but she has a huge heart and a lot to offer to the right partner.
I'm Ning, I'm 32, and I'm from Queensland.
I'm a hairdresser.
So, Christa... I don't like this.
Sometimes I'm a bit blunt.
Look at all those greys.
You're all 50 shades of grey.
My approach to life is to be yourself, to be authentic.
Are you gonna do a leafy? BOY: Yeah.
I have three children, aged 15, 7 and 3.
You did it! I did it!
Whoa! Did it!
I love being a mum, I love to make my kids happy,
to feel that love from them that I get.
Five. Well done.
As a single mum, it's quite hard and lonely.
I think I have a lot of love to give.
I give every piece of my heart to all my friends.
I've always got love.
Sorry.
There's no point living if you don't have love to share with people.
And I just want someone to share that love with me.
"On the big bus." Good job.
Where do you think you've been going wrong in relationships?
I think with trust.
I think I have a lot of trust issues.
Can you give me an insight
into some of the things that might have hurt your trust?
OK, so, I think, um, obviously I wasn't born in this country,
and my mother actually left me in Thailand with my grandmother,
so, yeah, so I just felt a bit abandoned,
and, yeah, so, and I don't want to feel like that.
That's a heavy burden.
Yep, it's one of those things I just sort of can't let go...
You know, all these years, I've just been burying my past,
and sometimes the past comes and bites you. Yeah.
That's been quite hard for me, to deal with my own issues as a child,
and bringing up children of my own.
So, for Ning, the theme of abandonment
has occurred multiple times throughout her life.
First, her mum, and then the father of her children.
She is now so afraid of being left again
that she's developed strong defence mechanisms.
She can sometimes push men away.
Ning really needs someone who is stable and rock-solid,
who's also gonna make her feel safe and secure in her relationship.
Because she has three children of her own,
she's also gonna need someone who is very family oriented.
When I go through this list,
the person I keep coming back to is Mark.
Jab across.
My name is Mark. I am 41 and I work in the fitness industry.
OK, good, good.
Good, one more.
You're killing me. (LAUGHS)
Everything in my life is pretty much spot-on and perfect.
I've got a job, own my own car,
got my hair - little bit grey, but I've got my own hair -
decent set of teeth, I've been told.
The only thing that's missing is a partner.
I've never been in love,
and I've never said that word in a relationship capacity.
And I've never had the word 'love' said to me, either.
As a young man, I joined the military,
spent a number of years in the Australian Army.
Travelled around a lot, I was always unsettled,
which made it hard to meet someone.
All my mates had moved on and getting married themselves,
so, I decided that I wanted a career change,
and that's when I moved down to Melbourne.
There are some nights that I get lonely.
I've lived on my own for a long period of time, so...
I don't have a kettle, I don't have an iron.
Like, I've got one plastic cup in my house. I've got one plate.
And there's plenty of room in the dishwasher for two.
I am at really the right time of my life to commit to somebody.
I know that I have a lot of love to give.
And I am dying to give it to the right person.
Ning and Mark are both at the stage
where they want stability and security,
plus they value family very highly.
I just hope that Ning can let her guard down.
Her abandonment issues means that she has a tendency to put up walls.
And her brash sense of humour can be a front to hide her insecurities.
But Mark is a rock,
and I think he'd be able to ground her
and give her the reassurance she needs.
So let's lock in this pair. Ning and Mark.
NARRATOR: The experts have now chosen our next two couples
to enter the experiment,
and these strangers will soon meet for the first time
on their wedding day.
In Melbourne,
Mark is going suit shopping with his best man, Michael.
MICHAEL: Oh, hello. My name's Mark,
and I'm here to sell you an apartment. I'm not into it.
Real estate agent? Nah, I don't know, man.
Do I hear 450? (LAUGHS)
Man in the front. 460? Do I hear 460?
No. (LAUGHS)
The kind of guy that Mark's wife is going to get is someone who is solid,
who is honest, is someone who will always be there.
What you see is what you get with Mark.
It's pretty hard to believe that your wife is going through
this exact process. Yeah.
TRACEY: It's got a lot of detail.
I'm sparkly. Shine bright like a diamond.
I'm looking for something a little bit sexy, but not too sexy.
I just want to find a style that suits my personality.
Ooh, look at this one. It'd be half price.
It'd be a little bit sexy.
This one's easy access!
(LAUGHS)
Ning has a very vibrant personality.
She wants to be able to show that.
It's about who she is.
I'm just really worried that I just can't dance with him.
Are you worried you'll trip on it?
Like, I like to bust a move, and I just can't bust anything in this.
(LAUGHS)
She's funny, talkative and really joking.
His mind's gonna be blown.
Maybe the breasts is just too much... Too much.
..for one person to handle. Yep.
Especially his grandpa. Yeah. Or his dad.
His teeth might fall out. Like, his falsies might fall out.
(LAUGHS) A bit too much. Oh!
Three children, and me, is quite a handful.
I just don't want to give his grandfather a heart attack.
I hope he's ready.
NARRATOR: In Sydney, Mike is about to break the news to his family
that he's ready to give up his party boy ways and settle down.
MIKE: There's something that I want to share with you.
The reason I've got you all here today is because...
I'm getting married.
What? Mike!
I'm getting married.
What?
I don't know anything about her.
I don't know where she's from, I don't know how old she is.
I'm not sure if she... Does she have children?
I don't know that either.
Oh.
So, that's what's happening.
Trying to get my head around this.
You sort of didn't give us any indication
that you were ready to settle down, and...
this is a real change of direction for you.
(CLEARS THROAT) OK.
Lot of compromises in marriage.
To take on a partner, it involves compromise,
and he's never had to do it before.
You know, at 44, he's run his own race,
and I think he'll find it hard, to be honest.
Coming up...
What possessed me to do this ridiculous thing?
..wedding nerves shake Heidi and Mike.
Things are about to get very real.
Plus...
You know, I'm just not good enough.
(BELL TOLLS)
(TRANQUIL MUSIC)
NARRATOR: In a matter of hours,
our singles will walk down the aisle towards a complete stranger.
MARK: Today is a massive day.
I'm 41, and I've never been in love.
I'm putting myself out there,
I'm getting married to a woman that I've never met.
At the end of this experiment,
I would really like to be in love.
This is a massive thing to do.
But I've put a lot of faith in myself for 41 years,
and it hasn't gotten me anywhere,
so I'm really, really hoping that the experts have matched me
with the woman that I can spend the rest of my life with.
(EXHALES)
NING: Good morning! (LAUGHS) Come in.
I'm getting hitched, bitch.
That's what I'm doing today. What are you doing today?
I just love having an audience while I'm eating.
I think it's a sexy look when girls put things in their mouth.
(LAUGHTER)
Did you just say that out loud?
Yeah, I just said that out loud for some reason.
I think Ning's going to be herself.
She says what she's thinking. Sometimes she doesn't have a filter.
Yeah, maybe that could come out the wrong way.
What if he lives on a farm?
I could have my rice patties out there!
(LAUGHTER)
Sorry. I had to push the Asian thing.
I do that a lot.
She is who she is, and we all love her for it,
so hopefully he does too.
I may need tissues for, like, the pits,
'cause I will get nervous and sweaty.
(LAUGHTER)
MIKE: Today is the day.
I've been single for a long time,
so, I've had a good run.
I'm just gonna get in the zone, put on a brave face, and man up.
The dream outcome is that I meet a really special girl today.
WOMAN: Your toes. What happened to your toes?
HEIDI: I bandaged them all up in preparation for my wedding shoes.
Boxers strap their wrists up in preparation for boxing matches,
and I strap my toes up for high heels.
It's like literally going for a fight.
"Alright, I'm gonna take you on." (LAUGHS)
It's really weird to think that I'm gonna have a husband after today.
What I'm gonna try and do is just go with the flow.
Just... (LAUGHS)
We've got the rings here. Wanna check them out?
MAN: Oh, yeah, they are nice. Oh, Wow.
MAN: Yeah, that's beautiful. That is nice, huh?
Awesome. Yes. Oh, she's got little hands.
This is a big thing, actually.
Seeing the ring that she's gonna wear.
It is. It is, yeah. You take it in like that.
Seeing her ring for the first time,
I just had a moment, a bit of a rush of blood.
It gave me the first sense of what she might be like.
(INHALES DEEPLY) Oh, this is a big moment.
I'm getting more and more nervous thinking about it now.
It's, you know, coming to the point where it is...
(EXHALES) ..yeah, it's real.
Just that moment where I turn around,
seeing a woman that could be forever.
It's... It's a leap of faith.
Oh, god.
WOMAN: Oh, my gosh!
(ALL SQUEALING)
So weird! You look amazing!
I'm gonna lose it.
You look amazing!
I suddenly feel shocked at what I have decided to do.
Like, why have I done this?
(TENSE MUSIC)
I just feel really out of my comfort zone.
This is so weird. I just don't...
Heidi, you look so good. You look amazing.
You look beautiful!
I feel like my stomach's here in my neck.
I don't know how to put my hair.
My dress doesn't feel right. My feet are hurting.
I think my body's just like, "What are you doing?
"What are you doing to me?"
I need help.
Do you feel... Does that feel good?
That's better. Once it's tied up...
But then, also, how do I go to the toilet?
Just don't wait until you're busting, Heids.
Tell us before you really, really need to go.
What possessed me to do this ridiculous thing?
MAN: This is it now. This is it.
The big moment. (EXHALES)
Biggest moment ever, really.
I know how big this is.
You're not... Don't really know what you're letting yourself in for.
I'm talking a big game here, but I can tell you, I'm still shitting it.
The closer we're getting, the more nervous I'm getting,
and I just, I don't even know what to think right now.
I'm delusional with nerves.
What am I doing?
Doesn't that look pretty?
Nup, it's not gonna happen,
and then we're gonna bugger up the whole dress.
I'm busting to go to the toilet, but my dress is restrictive.
We tried to hitch it up as much as we could, and we couldn't.
I might have to step out of the whole thing to do it.
No, you're not gonna step out of it.
No, you are not getting out of this whole dress.
You're either using a cup or we're loosening it.
I think that you should use a cup.
Literally, I can hardly even split my legs.
I'd get a cup, if you... Or a bowl! Is a bowl safer?
No, a cup is safer, 'cause a bowl is too wide.
I can't be restricted like that all day.
So, what is the solution? There's got to be a solution.
I need everyone to help.
(CROSSTALK)
Luckily that we're very close.
I should wash my hands first.
Because I held a cup of urine. Yeah. Thank you.
I'm sorry, but this is real. This is real life.
I know this is not ladylike, but, do you know what?
Sometimes you just need a cup.
(TENSE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC)
Jeez, I could use a drink. (CHUCKLES)
MIKE: Out of 10, in the nerves scale...
(EXHALES) ..I'm a 12. I'm a solid 12.
I can't believe this is happening. This is a...
This is the biggest thing I've ever done.
I've been a single man for a long time, and that ends now.
Things are about to get very real.
What if he's, like, really attractive
and then I feel terrible and disgusting?
There's all this stuff that's coming up and all these worries
and all these fears that he won't like me,
and that I'll feel rejected.
I can deal with if I don't like him,
but I can't deal with if he doesn't like me.
Best case scenario is if I walk down the aisle and we're like,
"Yes! Attractiveness!"
I've got nerves like you wouldn't believe,
but I think I look the part.
I mean, at the very least, she's not gonna hate what she sees.
Here he comes!
(LAUGHS)
(TENSE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC)
He didn't do a runner after all. (LAUGHS)
I am just trying to keep a brave face.
Everyone I love and care for is right there,
along with all of her people.
It's up to the universe now.
How you feeling, Mike?
Bit nervous? (CLEARS THROAT)
I am just in pieces on the inside.
And I am moments from turning around
and seeing the girl that could possibly be my forever girl.
It's terrifying.
You're about to get married. This is it, babe.
(EXCITED CROSSTALK)
Shut up (INAUDIBLE)! Shut up! (LAUGHTER)
Let me do... I'm gonna cry.
Not of happiness... Scared.
..but of fear. Shit scared.
I feel like I'm a bit crazy. I can't hide it.
I'm just gonna be freaking out.
Are you right, Heids? I think I'm gonna vomit.
(BELL TOLLS)
(TENSE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC)
I can't. Oh, hang on.
You ready? I think I'm gonna vomit.
No, are you good?
I have so many fears and insecurities that he won't like me.
I can't believe this is about to happen.
Are you OK?
Oh, my god.
Holy shit, have you seen his face yet?
Oh, my god. No.
Ooh.
Oh, hi! (ALL CHUCKLING)
Hi.
(WHISPERS) He's got no hair!
He's got no hair!
Holy shit.
I hope the experts got this right.
Like, I am praying.
Oh, my god.
This is the weirdest thing in the whole world.
MAN: Alright, here we go.
It's on.
OK.
Oh, my god!
MIKE: There's an internal battle going on right now.
I don't know what to expect when I turn around.
This moment has been building for so long.
I just want to meet the right girl.
(EXHALES)
(GENTLE MUSIC)
(LAUGHS)
All my nerves went away the second I saw her.
Oh, my god! This is so great. Hello!
She made me feel completely at ease.
Seeing her struggle through that sand, and she was composed...
(SIGHS)
Just something very sincere about her that I like.
Hello!
She's just lovely.
I'm a big fan of her already.
Hello, husband.
(LAUGHTER)
Nice to meet you.
Nice to see you. Oh, you too.
Oh, she's lovely. Yeah.
Wow, this is so crazy! It is.
(SIGHS) How do you feel?
Better now. Oh, good!
You look beautiful. Oh, thank you!
Oh, you've got a nice voice!
(LAUGHTER) Thank god.
He's got an amazing voice.
Want me to help you with those? Oh, what's your name?
I'm Michael. Mike. (LAUGHS)
What's your name? Hi, Michael. I'm Heidi.
Hi, Heidi. That's a nice name. Nice to meet you.
Oh, thank you. Oh...
I'm feeling so relieved,
and I feel like there's something there straight away.
Oh, my god. OK.
So, you're gonna marry me.
Yes! Yeah?
Alright, let's do it. (LAUGHS)
But I don't want to get too excited.
I feel like, calm it down, sister.
But in my tummy, I'm like, whoo!
I would now like to ask Heidi and Mike to exchange their vows.
Hello, my husband.
So lovely to meet you.
I hope this is the start of a wonderful adventure together.
Just a little bit about me, in case you're thinking,
"Who have I married?"
I've got lots of energy, so you'll always have someone to talk to.
I love the beach and being outside,
so you'll always have sand in your hair, but you have no...
you don't really have sand in your hair.
(LAUGHTER)
I'm enthusiastic about life,
and I'm always looking to try something new.
And today, that new thing is you!
(LAUGHTER)
Thank you for taking a chance on us.
Let's do it. Yeah!
(APPLAUSE) That was really good.
Oh, thank you! Thank you. I liked that.
I'm taken aback.
She's got all the elements
that I would look for and hope for in a woman.
Mike, would you please declare your vow to Heidi?
I, Michael... (LAUGHS)
..take you, Heidi, to be my wife.
I know that we haven't met before now,
but I have imagined this moment for some time.
To this point, I've been hesitant and guarded in love.
But I am ready now to open up to this experience
and be committed with you.
Oh, that's nice.
I do hope we develop feelings for each other
and that those feelings grow into a beautiful marriage
filled with love, laughter and happiness.
Oh, that's lovely! (CHUCKLES)
Oh, that's so nice. Thank you. Yeah, I'm glad you liked it.
Yeah, that was so good!
He seems ready and he seems open
and he seems, like, up for the challenge.
I'm excited to get to know him more.
Yeah, I can't wait to get to know who he actually is as a person
and discover more about him.
Oh, my god! Look! I'm putting on your wedding ring.
It fits! It's a good fit!
Oh, wow. Oh, fancy! You're my husband.
(LAUGHTER)
I think there could be some real potential here,
and I can't see anything but good things in the near future.
Mike, you may now kiss your beautiful bride.
OK, what do you want to do, because let's talk about it.
No! (LAUGHTER)
Oh, that was good!
Tasteful. Oh, that was so good.
(APPLAUSE) That was good, Michael.
Oh, let's do it, hey?
(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
All I can think about is,
"Don't have sex with your husband on the first night.
"Don't have sex with your husband on the first night. Don't have sex..."
I'm like, "Don't do it. Heidi, stop it."
Yep, so that's what's going through my mind.
What did we just do with ourselves? You're really cool!
Oh, so are you! (LAUGHS)
NARRATOR: In Melbourne, reality is starting to set in for Ning.
Oh, my god. I'm so nervous.
WOMAN: You're nervous?
I've had my heart broken many times,
and that really did break me.
Throughout Ning's life,
she's been abandoned by important people,
and that's left her with recurring trust issues.
I really want a companion.
Someone that won't leave me
just because things aren't going the way they wanted.
(WOMAN GASPS) Here I am.
(ALL SQUEAL SOFTLY) Look at you!
I can't pinpoint what I'm actually feeling.
I'm just, like, all over the place,
probably worse than being on a roller-coaster right now.
Meanwhile, Mark's dad has arrived for the big day...
Hey!
..with a special surprise.
Not quite the same model as Mum and Dad had, but pretty close.
We've organised similar wedding cars
to the wedding cars my wife and I had for our wedding 46 years ago.
I think it will be a good omen. Let's hope so.
So, you and Mum have done alright.
46 years. Yeah.
Yeah, that's a fair stint.
A good marriage is based on trust,
understanding, and love, of course.
And Mum and I have had some really good times, actually.
And it's the good times you remember.
But it's the bad times that you struggle through,
but make you stronger and make the marriage stronger,
that's for sure,
if you can battle your way through and make it,
just like Mum and I have done.
Good advice.
I'm ready for this to happen.
And I'm 100% committed to making this work.
As I hope she is.
(TENSE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC)
Do you think he's been waiting for me for a long time?
Like, are we late? No, we're not late. You're nervous.
(EXHALES)
I've had a lot of men disappoint me in my life.
So I think I'm always gonna have that in the back of my mind,
but I'm just hoping that this man isn't going to be like that.
I'm genuinely hoping from this experience that we end up together.
And spend hopefully the rest of our lives together.
That's what I hope.
(TENSE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC)
One thing that, you know, I'm trying to protect myself from is...
abandonment, I guess.
I just have to really, like, look into myself,
'cause I've lost myself for so long.
So I'm just here to find me.
You deserve it, Ning.
You do deserve it, Ning. You do everything for everyone.
Sorry.
I've never been away from my children for more than two days.
But I feel...
It's OK.
I feel like I owe myself love.
And for me to love someone else, I do have to love myself.
And I feel like I... I...
you know, I'm just not good enough.
Well, I haven't found that one that loves me enough to keep me.
Or to have me.
It's your time.
You deserve it.
I love you.
(BELL TOLLS)
(SUBDUED MUSIC)
I feel like I owe myself love.
And I just need to heal
and I just need to feel that love again and what love really is,
and not what I'm comfortable with.
I need to get pushed out of my comfort zone
and open my heart to this.
MARK: I genuinely hope the woman today that I meet remains my wife,
and we make it work and we have a success story.
I'm feeling so nervous.
It's happening. Stop.
It feels so crazy that I'm allowing myself to do this,
and to open my heart, and I just don't want to get hurt again.
Unbelievable. I'm just blown away.
I thought, "Wow, she's really, really attractive."
Hello. Hello.
Mark. Ning. How are you?
Nice to meet you. Let's do this.
I'm just here for the food and the drinks.
(LAUGHS) Not to meet you.
Like, not to get married, none of this,
just for the food.
OK. I'm just here for the food.
Oh, dear.
He is a little bit older than, like, the men that I go for,
but I was attracted to his eyes, he's got a head of hair,
and he is tall.
Oh, my god. This is so crazy. (LAUGHTER)
I knew very, very quickly Ning was obviously very nervous.
She was fidgeting around, looking all over the place.
Yay! (LAUGHTER)
We made it!
I was a bit worried you weren't showing up there for a while.
Well, I was gonna turn around, but, like, the limo was, like, too big.
So it's like, he didn't know how to drive properly, so...
(LAUGHTER)
Ning definitely did try to make a number of jokes.
She was obviously a bit awkward.
It's been a long day, OK? Already?
Yeah, I'm pretty sure you didn't have to get up at 5:00.
Hmm...
You didn't have to do hair and make-up.
Oh, I still had to do my hair.
At least you've got hair, so that's good.
(LAUGHTER)
Shh! I don't think I was supposed to say that.
That's what I do when I get a bit nervous.
All this rubbish just comes out without actually thinking about it.
I knew she was gonna say it.
I'm sorry! I can't help it!
I feel like I just make jokes of situations
because I am uncomfortable.
It just happened.
That word vomit, it just comes out, like, I just can't control it.
Like, hair on top. Oh, lord.
I wanted to let her know that I was all about her,
and that I was looking at her,
trying to reassure her through my body language.
I'm just gonna pretend that it's nice and warm, like...
(SHIVERS)
No, that's even worse!
(LAUGHS)
Any excuse to touch me, jeez!
I could hear what's coming out of my mouth, and it's horrible.
But I just can't help myself.
He just wanted to touch me, I'm like, "Oh..."
Early stages suggest that Ning's not very good at comedy.
Her delivery's not great.
That was the most romantic thing I've ever done for anyone.
Oh, that's pretty nice. OK.
You've ruined my big moment. Sorry.
(LAUGHTER)
Sorry.
It's what I do. It feels safer
pushing someone away before they can hurt me.
It's like self-sabotage.
Sorry, can I just hold your hand, 'cause I'm, like, really cold.
Yeah, for sure. Yeah, yeah. (LAUGHS)
Ning was obviously very nervous.
But there was always gonna be some awkward banter to start with.
Hopefully once the nerves calm, the jokes will get better.
MAN: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
Our bride and groom have invited you here today
as they join hands in marriage and become husband and wife.
Now, our couple have carefully constructed their own vows
and wish to make their commitment in front of you all here today.
OK. I vow to take you as you are today, standing in front of me.
I give you my heart, my mind, and my crazy spirit.
Sometimes I speak before I think, and sometimes things come out wrong.
(LAUGHTER)
In my life so far, I have done everything backwards,
but I hope I can move forwards with you by my side.
Ta. (APPLAUSE)
The vows were quite well written,
so I could tell that they were from the heart.
Yeah, signs are pretty good so far.
Dear Ning, at 41, being single,
having never previously been married and having no children,
it's clear that I'm no relationship expert.
Even though I've given 100% to the women I've ever been involved with,
I've never used or said the L word
to anyone in my life outside of my family.
(TENSE MUSIC)
He's never used the L word?
I'm thinking, and that's scary.
It sort of put my guards up a little bit, put my walls up a bit.
This may somewhat concern you.
I believe that love is when you are completely yourself
around your partner and they accept that.
To me, love is being completely vulnerable.
To be honest and open about everything they hold inside,
and to want to share every opportunity with.
I'm genuinely invested in this process,
and I promise that one day, if the feeling is there,
I'll use the word 'love' for the first time with you.
(APPLAUSE)
Whatever the future holds, it will be together.
It gives me great pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife.
Mark, you may kiss your bride.
(APPLAUSE)
(ALL CHEERING)
I have three children, which he doesn't know about yet,
and his vows just make me think that he's not ready for that.
Why hasn't he been in love before?
He hasn't committed to anyone, like, even long-term,
and he doesn't even know what love is.
I don't want to waste any more time
with a man that has commitment issues.
This is a big red flag for me.
NARRATOR: Coming up...
It's just an awkward situation. WOMEN: Yeah.
And I'm stuck.
..Ning makes a meal of their marriage.
Oh, no, if I'm not keen on you, I'm just gonna block you.
I don't know at this stage whether she even likes me.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(BELL TOLLS)
(GENTLE MUSIC)
NARRATOR: In Byron Bay,
newlyweds Heidi and Mike are getting better acquainted.
Oh, nice. That's lovely, guys.
Just hold that, hold that, hold that.
TRISHA: Most couples will know within the first 90 seconds
if they are attracted to each other.
For both Heidi and Mike, a strong physical attraction is important.
But the challenge for both of them
will be to grow a deeper emotional connection.
OK, a little kiss from there, please, guys.
(MIKE CHUCKLES)
Honestly, I can't fault this lady.
I think we've just got a nice synergy,
and things are flowing well.
Gosh, you guys are so good at this! (HEIDI GIGGLES)
Lots of kissing, which is good.
She's got nice soft lips.
Good technique. (LAUGHS)
(UPBEAT MUSIC)
Beautiful. Beautiful.
This is so funny.
You know, it's weird, 'cause for me, it doesn't feel weird.
Which is weird. Don't you think? (CHUCKLES) I do.
It's good. Yeah, it's really good!
Thank god. Thank god.
I already feel like he's so easy to talk to.
Like, I'm really excited, but then I have to go,
"Just calm yourself down,"
but I am excited, yep.
Well...
This is so... (LAUGHS)
So modest! So modest. I know.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
NARRATOR: Meanwhile, in Melbourne,
straight-shooting Ning has some serious reservations
about her new husband, Mark.
And, looking up. Yep, that's fine.
It does bother me that he's never used the L word.
You know in your vows, how you said to me, like, you know,
you haven't said the L word. So you've never...
No. Never have.
Never? Never have.
It makes me worried that he has commitment issues.
I don't want to waste time on someone else that's,
you know, just going to leave me.
I've been in relationships for about 4, maybe 4.5 years.
After a year, and if there's no love, why did you continue?
There are some doubts there.
And give me a nice, gentle smile.
Because of my past, I need to protect myself.
So I do push men away before they can hurt me.
(ELECTRO-POP MUSIC)
Back in Byron Bay, Heidi and Mike's reception is getting underway.
MAN: Ladies and gentlemen,
could we have a big round of applause for the bride and groom,
Mike and Heidi.
(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
MIKE: I'm getting a good feeling from Heidi.
She has just a nice outlook that really suits me.
We're in alignment, I think, at this point.
Oh, sorry, this just gets everywhere.
How are you, mate? How are ya? Good to see you.
It's full-on having your first date
in front of all your family and friends.
And you're meant to kind of see if you like each other
and be into it, do you know what I mean?
I just want to know everything about him and just find out more.
Thanks. I can't even see yours.
I'm trying to get a look at yours, like, I'm trying to get a look at you
but I can't even see... It doesn't show much off, does it?
I can't. Suits are bullshit, 'cause you can't see.
Yeah, yeah. You're not gonna hate what you see.
(LAUGHS) There it is again.
Hilarious. Obviously he's got a mouth like mine, which you can't filter,
so it makes me think that we've got lots in common,
so we've got a good base to work from.
I feel like I've got 50 million questions to ask you,
but I don't even know where to start.
I move around a little bit, you know, I go travelling a lot.
Like, I'll go away for the weekend or a week just out of nowhere.
I'm exactly the same. I never want to stop exploring,
but I still want a base.
I need to always move. Let's just do that.
Yeah. OK, great! Let's go.
Aw, you guys are having too much fun.
(BOTH LAUGH)
OK, done. Done.
So, I love that he likes going travelling. That's great!
Because I just like going at, you know, the spur of the moment,
and sometimes I have changed in a relationship to fit in with them,
and I don't want to do that anymore. I just want to be me.
Are you glad you got me?
I really am. I really am. (CHUCKLES)
I'm glad I got you. Oh, I'm so glad.
Do you want to stay at my place tonight?
You're staying at my place tonight.
(LAUGHS) You're taking me home, are ya?
Yeah, you are. Really. You've pulled.
Bit early to predict intimacy tonight.
Don't want to get ahead of myself.
But there's definitely chemistry there.
But there's three bedrooms, just so you know.
In your... Oh! In your house? Yeah. In my house. Yep.
(LAUGHS) We're gonna have so much fun.
It's so funny. This is easy.
I know! I think this could be a good thing.
It's crazy.
(GENTLE MUSIC)
MAN: Mark and Ning.
(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
Hello!
I think he's supposed to pull out my chair.
We know that Ning often uses humour as a technique to help her cope
in tense or stressful situations.
OK, push it in. Push it in.
(LAUGHTER) Yep, that's nice.
But when this is coupled with a lack of trust,
innocent humour can come across as abrasive and unkind.
It was just... It's just an awkward situation.
WOMEN: Yeah, yeah.
And, um... And I can't block him.
Like, I can't block him and I can't delete him and I can't...
WOMAN: Yeah, you're stuck. I'm stuck.
I was sort of hoping there would be an initial spark,
but I don't know at this stage whether she even likes me.
And whether she is just nervous.
I was just saying, like, I can't, like, block you off any social media.
(WOMAN LAUGHS)
I think I'm making these jokes because I'm shit scared,
and, yeah, I am trying to protect myself.
That's what I do, like, I block people out of my life.
Like, oh, no, if I'm not keen on you, I'm just gonna block you.
I know I should be letting my walls down and giving him a chance,
but it's what I do.
I scare men off because I'm afraid of getting hurt.
So, who is your immediate family here?
I don't actually have family. Like... Oh, OK.
We are her family. Yeah, these are my family.
We are family. # We are... #
No, don't sing. Please don't sing at all, the whole, like...
Ever. Like, just don't, at all.
No, no, she was only making fun. (LAUGHS AWKWARDLY)
I think someone like Mark
is someone who's actually going to be good for her.
But I didn't think it was a joke, that was the...
I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little bit worried that she's gonna spoil this.
Ning. Ning. Ning.
Zip it. Sorry. OK.
She needs to settle herself.
Not how I would like to feel in my wedding, no.
(BELL TOLLS)
NARRATOR: In Byron Bay,
even the rain can't dampen Heidi and Mike's spirits.
This is so funny. Yeah.
Like, it's kind of like we're on a first date.
Little bit. Little bit.
Would you go on a second date with me if this was a date?
I totally would. Would you?
Yeah! Of course I would. I'd date you for sure. (LAUGHS)
Of course! And here we are married.
(LAUGHS) I know. How convenient.
I know!
It's a little bit electric. It's very electric.
The chemistry is definitely there. They're very into each other. Mmm.
Hi!
I think it's a brilliant match.
I think it's a great beginning for them.
How can you not fall in love with her?
I know, she's amazing.
Just go. No, I can't.
I need two people to help me. Oh, OK.
We've got a situation.
I don't even want to know what that is.
Have you got a funnel or something?
You don't want to know. Well, we...
No, Johsi! No, no. Don't go into detail.
I'm just saying, that would've... It's not a funnel.
I'm so embarrassed, but I can't do anything.
My skirt's too restrictive!
How about in here? (INAUDIBLE)
That's not big enough! Whoo!
I've got the best bridesmaids. (LAUGHS)
They're really going far and beyond their expectations.
You look happy, man. You look really happy.
Do I? Yeah, yeah.
I am. I'm really... She's amazing.
She seems really outgoing, and I love her positive energy.
She's just lovely.
(ALL SHRIEKING)
She's so gorgeous. Yeah, she's lovely, hey?
Yeah! Really, really lovely.
I was only just thinking about how it could have been really awkward
and uncomfortable and difficult if you didn't have that chemistry.
(HEIDI SHRIEKS)
Oh, my god! Done.
(LAUGHTER)
OK, good.
OK, let's go.
(LAUGHS)
Sorry.
NARRATOR: After a less than perfect start to their wedding day,
both Ning and Mark are seeking guidance from their friends.
MAN: How you feeling?
I feel that the first impressions...
aren't great.
I think she was pretty nervous.
100%. 100%. Yeah, yeah.
Very nervous.
So, first impressions?
Well, it has been awkward. Oh, OK.
And really, like, pushed through that a little bit.
Mmm. I don't know.
Maybe just be careful about the...
Word vomit. Sometimes the...
The word vomit. Yeah.
Just control when you're doing it.
Ning was being hard on Mark to begin with,
and probably said a few things she wasn't really meaning to say.
You're turning your back to him a fair bit.
So you just need to be cautious of that,
because otherwise he might think that you're cutting him off,
so, just be cautious of it.
Eye contact. Yep.
Today has been so overwhelming.
I feel like I don't let anyone come in because I've just,
you know, I just don't want to get hurt again.
So, what do you think about Mark?
He... I get the feeling he's gonna look after you.
And I actually think he comes across
like such a nice, genuine guy. Genuine. Yep.
That made my mind sort of stop thinking and over-analysing.
It is a big thing for me to trust men.
It's not fair for him that he's putting all this effort in
and I'm just pushing him away.
The hard part's done. Now you've just gotta get to know each other.
Yep. And just enjoy it.
I want to shove all my insecurities and my past and everything
right down into my soul
and give this guy a chance.
(SUBDUED PIANO MUSIC)
I'm gonna cry again. Um...
I have such beautiful friends
that always says how much I deserve someone so much better than my past,
and I've never thought that I did.
I just felt like I didn't deserve, like, any better than what I've had.
(SIGHS AND SNIFFS)
(BELL TOLLS)
NARRATOR: After spending her wedding day trying to sabotage her marriage,
Ning has finally had a change of heart.
NING: My bridesmaids,
they want me to be a little bit nicer towards Mark,
you know, to make sure that this works for both of us.
I don't want to feel like I've failed this relationship,
another relationship,
and I'm gonna try my hardest to not do that.
What a day.
Can you believe this happened today?
No. No, I can't.
It did happen. I'm gonna wake up soon or something, but...
No, it's been a really good day.
I can't wait to meet everyone. Where's your family?
So, Dad, front right.
That's where I get my grey from.
Mum right next to him.
For the first time, she seemed genuine
in her efforts to make an effort with me.
It was almost like all of the pressures
and all of the nerves had finished.
Finally feels like something has changed.
I think once those walls come down, Ning is a very, very caring person,
and I'm looking forward to getting to know her.
WOMAN: Cheers. Cheers.
We're gonna get straight down to the fun part of the night,
which are the speeches.
Please put your hands together for Mark.
(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
To my new wife, we are about to embark on
an exciting yet daunting journey together.
We are now a team,
and I am just as much a part of this experiment as you are,
and I promise you that I'll be there to support you
every step of the way.
I feel like he's putting all his energy into these words,
and I feel like they're real.
Lastly, to my family...
Are you... Are you gonna cry?
(LAUGHTER)
What can I say? Words aren't enough.
Aw.
This is not the way, I guess,
you anticipated your only son would be married.
However, as always, you stand by me and allow me to be myself.
Thank you for everything you've ever done for me.
(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
Mark's speech, it just blew me away,
like, it's beautiful to see a man have any emotion.
That's really attractive to me.
(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
I think I'm growing to like him.
Are you OK?
Oh. (CHUCKLES)
Family means a lot to me.
And the fact that Ning approached my mum was massive.
We can just cry together. We can.
We can just cry together.
It really meant a lot to me.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
MAN: I'd like to now call on Michael to conduct his speech.
(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
MIKE: My dad was concerned that I wasn't ready to be,
you know, a married man.
But I did not expect to meet a girl like Heidi.
There's every chance that I could fall in love with this girl.
Heidi, this is an unusual situation that we find ourselves in.
And it is my hope that we support each other
throughout this experience and beyond.
HEIDI: Yeah, I can totally see a future.
But it's day one.
This could be the beginning of...
I was gonna say "of a beautiful friendship",
but I'm not gonna kiss my friend like that, no. (LAUGHS)
To my dad.
We have shared much through our years,
and you've taught me lessons that you may not have even known you had.
Most importantly, you have shown me how to treat a lady.
Today I have met a beautiful girl.
And I want to show you how the example you have set
will allow me to be as gentle and kind to her
as you have always been to my mother for more than 50 years.
I think Michael, you know,
has got a wonderful opportunity there with her.
He is everything somebody would want for a husband,
he's just never found the right girl.
So, a toast, to Heidi.
(ALL CHEERING)
So, I am really hoping that he does make a success of this.
ALL: Kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss!
(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
At this moment, I have nothing but optimism,
and I'll do everything I can to make this work.
As soon as I saw him, I felt relieved.
And as soon as he started talking, and he has such good manners.
Like, a real gentleman, yeah.
And that's so lovely.
I think between the two of us,
we're gonna have a lot of fun, a lot of adventures.
(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
And the world is ours.
That was so good. Oh, that was great!
Whoo-hoo!
NARRATOR: With Ning and Mark finally in a positive place,
there's still one very important conversation they need to have.
Boo! Lot of energy.
Sorry to interrupt.
But do you think that you can come for a bit of a chat?
Yeah. Yep.
I think this is going to be a big shock for Mark.
He became a husband today,
and maybe he's gonna be a stepdad to three children.
Like, it's a big, big deal.
OK.
Oh, hello.
Are you sure you're not cold? Nah, no.
So, are you having a good night?
It's been a really good day. And then night. Yeah.
I think it's gone a lot better as the day goes on.
We've become a bit more comfortable with each other.
Or maybe we've had too many of these, I don't know.
Maybe we've had too many of these.
I do want someone just for me,
but I don't come as one.
So, obviously I didn't really get to talk to you much,
I think 'cause, I don't know, it just was a big night, big day.
Mark has to be accepting of my children.
(INHALES DEEPLY) OK.
(TENSE MUSIC)
I don't know how he's gonna take it.
(BELL TOLLS)
(TENSE MUSIC)
NARRATOR: In Melbourne,
the wedding day is drawing to a close.
But Ning still needs to break some important news to Mark.
(INHALES DEEPLY) OK.
(TENSE MUSIC)
So, um, you know, it is important to know more about me.
I am a mum.
I have three.
OK. Um...
For me, you having kids is not...
I don't want to downplay it...
but it isn't a big deal.
(GENTLE MUSIC)
I just feel like a big weight has been lifted.
Yeah. Um, it's probably something we'll have to think about
and talk about later, as we develop.
Develop.
I know people around my age bracket are gonna have some form of history,
whether that's marriage, children,
it's something that's part of her life, and I'll embrace it
as part of everything else that she has in her life.
I'm 100% committed to this experiment. I really am.
And I'm not gonna walk away... at all.
Well, that's good. Yeah.
I think I needed to hear that.
It was good. It was good to have that,
and I feel like there's a bit of...
I guess clarification about who he is now,
and he's genuine, and that's what I want.
I just can't wait to go on this journey with you.
Yeah. Same. Cheers. So, cheers. We're married.
I could definitely see, like, a potential with Mark.
I'm opening a little bit of myself to him,
and, you know, no matter how much I joke, you know, I do have a heart,
and I know that I'm in this for the right reason.
And I know he is too.
(GENTLE MUSIC)
(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
Thank you.
She is a lot of fun, a lot of energy.
Just lift me up now. Just lift me up.
Never, never a dull moment.
(ALL CHEERING) (LAUGHS)
I think once those walls come down, Ning is a very, very caring person.
I've really felt there's been a connection formed.
(LAUGHS)
And that's why I'm excited about it.
(SOFT MUSIC)
(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
WOMAN: Bye!
NARRATOR: After an eventful day...
MIKE: Well, this is good.
We're married. HEIDI: I know.
..our new couples head back
to spend their first night together as husband and wife.
I've been enjoying grabbing your leg...meat.
Yep, I've been enjoying you grabbing it too.
Your leg skin.
I know. Sorry I haven't got much to show you.
Sorry you can't show me much yet. I know.
(LAUGHS)
NING: Please don't hit my head on the door.
It's been a huge day, both physically and emotionally.
It's been a roller-coaster.
Where are you taking me?
I'm taking you to the bed. Are you taking me to bed?
I think this is gonna be a slow burn,
but there's enough there already
to know that it's something to look forward to for sure, yeah.
So, all the make-up's off... Mm-hm.
..and this is what I look like.
I don't think you look any different.
Actually, you look better. Well, wait till the...
How do you look better without make-up?
You look natural.
I'll take that. That's a point for you.
Mark's definitely a gentleman.
We're just going, you know, slowly,
and we'll see how it goes from here.
(SENSUAL JAZZ MUSIC)
HEIDI: Oh! MIKE: God, you've got smooth thighs.
Oh... I'm gonna get in there close.
Oh! Boy, oh, boy.
Oh... Yeah.
Oh... Well, I can see...
(SIGHS) There was a lot of...
It was holding a lot of tension in here.
There's lots of relief.
So excited to get this dress off, you have no idea.
Yeah, me too. Oh. (LAUGHS)
I had such a good day today.
I'm very pleased with what the experts have delivered.
Perfect. Oh, my god, you're amazing.
Thank you so much. Yay!
Well, anytime I can take your dress off, you just let me know, OK?
Oh, that's great, OK. (CHUCKLES)
Yeah, the attraction is definitely there.
But I've got really good self-control. (LAUGHS)
You're so nice.
Hence me touching your bare chest,
and I've just known you for 12 hours or something.
Yep, that's great.
You know that feeling when you just want to grab a girl and kiss her
and there's just no inhibitions.
I've waited a long time to have a girl that I really care about.
I've held back for a long time,
and I feel like I don't have to do it with Heidi.
(SOFT MUSIC)
NARRATOR: Tomorrow night... (BOTH SHRIEK)
..the first wave of honeymoons begins.
I'm so happy right now.
(SQUEALS)
In the quest for a happily ever after...
That feels nice.
Does it? Yeah.
..passions will boil over...
Are you in this for love, or are you on it for Instagram?
..as bonds are tested.
Just come to the point a little quicker, that's all.
But when you've only just met...
Look, I'm not your therapist.
This isn't therapy.
..honesty isn't always the smartest choice.
But this is how you get to be 44 and single.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Captioned by Ai-Media ai-media.tv