‘Married at First Sight’: What It’s Like to Be on MAFS – The Raw Truth

Married at First Sight looks like lots of quick action drama from the outside, so, of course, fans wonder what it’s really like to be on the Lifetime show. People who have been on the program say it takes a lot of time to get one scene put together.

Married at First Sight: Making It on the Show

Starring on Lifetime’s MAFS seems a little out of this world for many people. But thousands of people want to get in on the action. And it isn’t easy to be selected for the matchmaking show — despite what it looks like when we see people that annoy fans – like Zach Justice – on the show.

Married at First Sight casting assures that they do psychiatric evaluations and a complete background check before choosing singles to get married on Lifetime. There are also countless hours of interviews with experts. But still, some things seem to slip through the cracks.

To apply to be on Married at First Sight, it’s a simple online form. You must be single and can’t be a serial reality TV chaser. But one other show won’t instantly disqualify. For instance, Jamie Otis was on The Bachelor. Then, she met and married Doug Hehner on MAFS after the ABC reality program failed her.

Also, producers scout for Married at First Sight. And it’s not uncommon for them to ask the participants if they have any friends. For instance, Woody Randall and Miles Williams from this season are best friends. And that can make filming MAFS more interesting.

Married at First Sight: AJ Vollmoeller - Stephanie Sersen

Committing to Go All-In with MAFS

Before you get started with Married at First Sight, you must agree to a year-long media and publicity ban after you tape. You also have to take time off work to accommodate filming. Plus, within an eight week time period, you have to figure out if you want to stay married or divorce.

If you decide to divorce, you don’t have to pay for the legal action – Married at First Sight foots the bill. But your divorce must happen within a certain time frame. Plus, during filming, MAFS couples are supposed to have an 8 pm curfew. However, we’ve seen on post seasons that didn’t stick in some cases.

That curfew is to help the camera crews keep track of the pairs. Plus, personal diary cams are another tool required. Married at First Sight producers wants couples to film even during downtime. Keep in mind — the filming commitment is 12-16 hours per day.

Plus, you might have to say your vows multiple times. Why? The cameras on Married at First Sight need to get just the right angle. So, a wedding might take several hours. That can cause even more stress on their big day. Keep in mind once you’re cast, social media is off-limits. But it looks like Karen from season 11 didn’t get the memo since she found Miles Williams before the wedding.

Married at First Sight: Danielle Bergman Dodd - Bobby Dodd

Married at First Sight: What Happens After the Show?

After Decision Day, what participants do with their lives is up to them – but not until after the show airs. After Married at First Sight shows on Lifetime, you can break your radio silence, and reveal your status, whether it’s married – or single once again.

As far as marriage, they’re on their own after Married at First Sight. Once the show ends, so does the experts’ help. So, it’s up to the couple to find counseling and any other help they need. And if they decide to split after the agreed-upon timeframe, they have to foot the legal bill.

They also agree to come back to the reunion episode of MAFS. And until the non-disclosure agreement is up, they have to keep their lip zipped.

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