Wedding Day: TNT's First Reality Series Arrives

TNT has a dramatic night of premieres in store for viewers today (June 16), and kicking it all off at 8pm ET is the basic-cable network’s first-ever unscripted series Wedding Day. The newcomer has prestigious backers — Mark Burnett Productions and DreamWorks Television — and a prominent pair of hosts, upscale event planner Alan Dunn and high-end wedding designer Diann Valentine, both of whom do much of their work in the extravagant and demanding celebrity world.

Since I’m not a fan of most reality shows, especially those that deal with romantic relationships, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Wedding Day is exactly what TNT calls it: an unscripted drama. Each episode introduces an engaged non-celebrity couple who have endured some form of remarkable hardship to make it to their special day. As a result, the fact that they’re even getting married is a remarkable event in itself.

During tonight’s premiere “Holli and Steve,” we meet the title couple Holli Munro and Steve Holdwick from Saginaw, Michigan. Just days before their originally scheduled nuptials in 2007, Holli was involved in a disastrous car accident that left her severely injured and in a coma. Doctors told her fiancé and family she had only a 50 percent chance of survival, making a wedding the least of their concerns from that point on.

Holli eventually recovers, with the help of her loved ones, bringing us to her and Steve’s appearance on Wedding Day. The show is set up to give a brief overview of the couple’s relationship and the adversity they’ve faced, before introducing the family and community members who’ll pitch in to help plan and execute a very unique and much-deserved marriage ceremony.

My biggest question before watching advance episodes of Wedding Day concerned how couples were chosen. Apparently, a lot of work went into locating engaged people who have dedicated their lives to serving the needs of others. Says ace reality-TV producer Mark Burnett: “We conducted an extensive search from coast to coast for couples whose stories are undeniably inspirational and uplifting. The show also gives us the wonderful chance to give back to those who volunteer their time or put their lives on the line to help others.”

Wedding Day is all about feeling good, and I recommend it to any viewers who appreciate entertainment that makes you optimistic about people and the relationships that help individuals through the tough parts of life. Watch a sneak peek at the series premiere with the bride, groom, and family members below. Moving stuff, no?

Wedding Day airs Tuesdays on TNT at 8pm ET.