Plot Synopsis

MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT is a reality series that follows couples who meet for the first time when they get married and then settle into their new lives as newlyweds. After several weeks together, each couple must make a decision to stay together or separate. Based on scientific matchmaking, specialists create what they believe are three perfect couples, who have all agreed to get married the moment they first meet at the altar. This series then chronicles each couple's journey -- from their honeymoon to early nesting and other events typical of early married life -- concluding with the newlywed's big decision: do they remain together or decide to separate?

The couples in Season 1 are: Cortney, 26-year-old makeup artist living in Manhattan, who identifies her lack of love due to the focus she places on herself, as well as the consistent infidelities of previous boyfriends, and Jason, a 27-year-old EMT and firefighter trainee from Brooklyn, whose ideal match is a nice Christian girl who is trustworthy, outgoing, and adventurous; Monet, a 33-year-old product development manager in the fashion industry, who believes she's been unsuccessful in love due to her trust issues, both with herself and with others, and Vaughn, a 30-year-old field service technician from Long Island, NY, whose ideal spouse is attractive, expressive and outgoing to complement his introverted self; and Jamie, a 27-year-old labor and delivery nurse as well as a part-time host who resides in Harlem, NY, who was on THE BACHELOR and BACHELOR PAD, and Doug, a 31-year-old currently residing in Howell, NJ with his parents, who has worn many professional hats, including a baseball player invited to try out for several major league teams, as well as an ordained minister, though his current job is a commercial sales rep and lifeguard. Immediately before the series premiere, FYI broadcast a one-hour casting special from 8-9pm ET/PT on Tuesday, July 8, 2014.

MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT returned for its second season on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at 9pm ET/PT on a new network (A&E) in addition to the show's original network (FYI). In the two-hour season opener, "Wedding Preparations," the experts have narrowed down the pool of participants to just six singles, who they will research and investigate further and match with their ideal partner. Once the matches are made, the couples will have just ten days to prepare for their weddings without knowing anything about their future spouse, not even their names. Season 2 participants include: 34-year-old Davina Kullar, a successful biopharmaceutical sales rep living in New York City, who was born in England and moved to the US with her mother and sister when she was 10 years old; 30-year-old Jaclyn Methuen, a sales representative for a vodka brand, who often tried to play the role of therapist at age 18 when her parents separated; 30-year-old Jessica Castro, a receptionist at a law firm in Manhattan, who is finally at a place in her life where she feels she is ready to settle down and get married; 28-year-old Ryan Ranellone, a real estate agent from Long Island, who feels that he has put more into relationships than his partners had, so he is ready to find someone equally invested and ready to commit; 35-year-old Sean Varricchio, a trauma nurse living in Jackson, New Jersey, who is now ready to find the woman of his dreams and settle down after being a player in his 20s; and 29-year-old Ryan De Nino, a business owner from Staten Island, who feels he's ready for the next chapter of his life as he approaches 30. Immediately before the season premiere, A&E and FYI premiered the one-hour casting special for Season 2 at 8pm ET/PT. Both cable channels, A&E and FYI, will continue to broadcast new episodes of MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT on Tuesdays at 9pm ET/PT.

Season 3 of MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT premiered on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 from 9-11:15pm ET/PT on FYI, with a simulcast on A&E, immediately following a new one-hour special (8-9pm), "Matchmaking Special." All four experts return to create what they believe are three ideally matched couples, based on scientific matchmaking. The couples will not meet until they walk down the aisle and see each other face-to-face, for the first time, at the altar. Over the course of the 13-episode third season, MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT captures each couple's journey as they go from wedding, to honeymoon, to early nesting, to the daily struggle of working on their marriage. After several weeks together, each couple must make a decision: do they remain together or decide to divorce? Plus, the season opens with the "Matchmaking Special," an in-depth exploration of the matchmaking process, which introduces the experts, experiment and the candidates brave enough to marry a stranger. Over 20,000 candidates applied to be matched by a team of relationship experts. Season 3 participants include: 31-year-old Neil Bowlus, a compliance specialist in Atlanta with a master's degree in biology, who believes in the effectiveness of arranged marriages as his grandparents were arranged and just wants a good quality of life with his partner; 30-year-old Ashley Doherty, a former social worker who is now a nanny and nursing student living in Atlanta, GA, and has decided she was ready to take a new approach to finding love after being frustrated by the dating scene; 30-year-old Sam Role, bank manager living in Atlanta, GA, who was born into a military family and never had a chance to really feel settled and at home, because she moved around a lot when she was growing up; 27-year-old Tres Russell, a luxury car brand specialist from Atlanta, GA, who was raaised by his paternal grandmother and aunt -- Tres does not have a relationship with his mother; 26-year-old Vanessa Nelson, corporate events manager living in Atlanta, GA, who was born into a military family, moving around a lot while growing up, and has not spoken to her father since her parents divorced when she was in high school; and 29-year-old David Norton, an account executive living in Atlanta, GA, who has been a serial monogamist with a few committed relationships -- with the longest one lasting two years.

The 14-episode fourth season of MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT premiered on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 from 8:45-10pm ET/PT on FYI, immediately following a new special (8pm). Over 30,000 candidates nationwide have applied to have a team of relationship experts arrange their marriage. Dr. Pepper Schwartz is joined by two new relationship experts -- Pastor Calvin Roberson and Rachel DeAlto. "Matchmaking Special" (8pm) is a 45-minute special that provides an extensive overview of the matchmaking process and introduces the candidates brave enough to marry a stranger. The experts select three compatible couples who will marry at first sight. The six to-be-married singles in Season 4 are: Heather, a 32-year-old flight attendant living in Miami, FL, who looks up to her parents' marriage, hoping to have the same loving relationship with her future husband; Derek, a 35-year-old account executive living in Miami, FL, who is the younger of two children raised by a single mother and was in the Navy prior to settling into his current career; Lillian, a 24-year-old realtor living in Miami, FL, whose last serious relationship ended badly, prompting her to switch up her priorities and focus on her career; Nick, a 32-year-old vacation rental manager living in Miami, FL, whose parents divorced when he was a young child -- but who now realizes that they are much happier and better off apart; Sonia, a 33-year-old social worker, born and raised in Miami, FL, who is passionate about her career finding home placements for refugee children; and Tom, a 28-year-old yacht interior specialist living in Miami, FL, who went to college in Texas, moved to Hawaii after graduating and traveled often before settling down into a remodeled RV-turned-luxury-tour-bus that he now calls home. In the 75-minute season opener, "Wedding Preparations," six new singles are preparing to marry a complete stranger in this controversial social experiment. The participants find out who they've been matched with and have just two weeks to prepare for their weddings. The preparations are filled with high emotions as they come to terms with being engaged to a complete stranger.

Season 5 of MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT premiered on Thursday, April 20, 2017 from 9-11:30pm ET/PT on a new network: Lifetime. In the 17-episode fifth season, Chicago-based singles yearning for a life-long partnership agree to a provocative proposal: getting legally married to a stranger the moment they first meet. A team of experts that includes sociologist Dr. Pepper Schwartz; communication and relationship expert, Rachel DeAlto; and marriage counselor, Pastor Calvin Roberson, create what they believe are three compatible couples based on scientific matchmaking. The couples will not meet until they walk down the aisle and see each other face-to-face, for the first time, at the altar. The series will capture each couple's journey as they go from wedding, to honeymoon, to early nesting, to the daily struggle of working on their marriage. After several weeks together, each couple must make a decision: do they remain together or decide to divorce? The Season 5 premiere is immediately preceded by a one-hour "Matchmaking Special" at 8pm, which explores the matchmaking process while also introducing the experts, experiment and candidates brave enough to marry a stranger. Then, in the back-to-back episodes to open the new season: "Wedding Prep" (9pm): The experts have matched three couples, and it's time to let them know that they're about to marry a complete stranger. The participants have just two weeks to prepare for their marriages--they must buy each other rings, go dress shopping, get fitted for a tux, and throw a bachelor or bachelorette party. Without knowing anything about their future husband or wife--not even their name, the preparations are fraught with excitement and panic. "Weddings" (10:17pm): Six courageous singles who've been unlucky in love have entrusted three relationship experts with the biggest decision of their lives; today they will meet their new spouse at their wedding as they vow to legally marry as strangers. Will it be love at first sight or extreme fright?

The sixth season of MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT premiered on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT on Lifetime, immediately following a new one-hour special. Boston area singles yearning for a life-long partnership agree to a provocative proposal: getting legally married to a stranger the moment they first meet. The couples will not meet until they walk down the aisle and see each other face-to-face, for the first time, at the altar. This season, Boston-based psychologist and Professor Dr. Jessica Griffin, joins sociologist Dr. Pepper Schwartz and marriage counselor, Pastor Calvin Roberson on the series' panel of experts. Together they will create what they believe are three compatible couples based on scientific matchmaking and continue to counsel and mentor the couples throughout the season. The night opens (8pm) with a new special, "Season 6 Matchmaking Special," which follows the panel of experts as they create what they believe are three compatible couples. This in-depth exploration of the matchmaking process culminates with the final six candidates learning that they'll be marrying a complete stranger in just a few weeks. Then, in the season opener, "Wedding Prep," the six participants reveal to friends and family that they'll be marrying a complete stranger -- at first sight. They have just two weeks to prepare for their weddings -- they must buy rings, go dress and tux shopping, and throw a bachelor or bachelorette party. Without knowing anything about their future husband or wife -- not even their name, the preparations are fraught with excitement and panic. This season's three couples include: Jaclyn Schwartzberg, a 29-year-old teacher turned sales representative, living in the suburbs of Boston, MA and Ryan Buckley, a 29-year-old firefighter in the Boston, MA area; 25-five-year-old Molly Duff, a commercial insurance adjuster, living in the suburbs of Boston, MA and Jonathan Francetic, a 28-year-old army vet and financial associate living in the suburbs of Boston, MA; and Shawniece Jackson, a 29-year-old entrepreneur and cosmetologist living in Providence, RI and Jephte Pierre, a 26-year-old second grade teacher, living in Boston, MA.

Season 7 of MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT premiered on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT on Lifetime, immediately following a new one-hour special. In the special (8pm), "Love Match," three experts -- Dr. Pepper Schwartz, Pastor Calvin Roberson and Dr. Jessica Griffin -- are tasked with finding three compatible couples that will not meet until their wedding. This in-depth exploration of the matchmaking process culminates with six candidates learning that in a few short weeks they'll be marrying a complete stranger. The seventh season heads to Dallas, TX, where six Dallas area singles yearning for a life-long partnership agree to a provocative proposal: getting legally married to a stranger the moment they first meet, at the altar. In the season opener, "Here Comes a Stranger," the participants reveal to friends and family that they'll be marrying a complete stranger--at first sight. They have just two weeks to prepare for their weddings. Without knowing anything about their future husband or wife--not even their name, the preparations are fraught with excitement and panic. They will meet their new spouse at the altar as they vow to legally marry as strangers. Will it be love at first sight or extreme fright?

Season 8 of MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT premiered from 9-11pm ET/PT on Lifetime on New Year's Day 2019 (Tuesday, January 1), immediately following a one-hour special (8-9pm). In the eighth season, Philadelphia area singles have agreed to a provocative proposal: getting legally married to a stranger the moment they first meet, at the altar. A panel of experts -- psychologist Dr. Jessica Griffin, sociologist Dr. Pepper Schwartz and marriage counselor, Pastor Calvin Roberson -- create what they believe are compatible couples based on scientific matchmaking and continue to counsel and mentor each set of newlyweds throughout the experiment. The series captures each couple's journey as they go from wedding, to honeymoon, to early nesting, to the daily struggles of working on their marriage. After several weeks together, each couple must make a decision: do they remain together or decide to divorce?

The ninth season of MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT premiered on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at 9pm ET/PT on Lifetime. For Season 9, the series heads to Charlotte area singles who have agreed to a provocative proposal: getting legally married to a stranger the moment they first meet, at the altar. A panel of experts - psychotherapist Dr. Viviana Coles, sociologist Dr. Pepper Schwartz and marriage counselor, Pastor Calvin Roberson, will create what they believe are four compatible couples based on scientific matchmaking and continue to counsel and mentor each set of newlyweds throughout the experiment. The couples include: Matthew Gwynne & Amber Bowles; Gregory Okotie & Deonna McNeill; Elizabeth Bice & Jamie Thompson; and Keith Manley & Iris Caldwell.

MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT returned for its tenth season on Wednesday, January 1, 2020 from 8-10pm ET/PT on Lifetime, immediately following a one-hour special (7pm). For the first time in MAFS history, five new couples take a leap of faith when they walk down the aisle to marry a stranger. All episodes are megasized to 2 hours to capture each couple's journey as they go from wedding, to honeymoon, to early nesting, to the daily struggles of working on their marriage. After several weeks together, each couple must make a decision: do they remain together or decide to divorce? Starting at 7pm on New Year's night, fans are treated to the Season 10 Matchmaking Special, where the three experts come together to match up the five couples. Then at 8pm, the journey begins with the first episode of Season 10. In the season opener, "First Comes Marriage, Then Comes Love," five couples have only two weeks to plan their weddings, celebrate their final days of being single, and reveal to their family and friends that they are getting married to a stranger! And when the time finally comes to tie the knot, will one groom be left at the alter when his bride-to-be gets a call from her ex-boyfriend asking her not to go through with it? The five Washington DC-area couples are: Katie & Derek; Jessica & Austin; Taylor & Brandon; and Mindy & Zach; Meka & Michael.

Season 11 of MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT premiered Wednesday, July 15, 2020 from 8-10pm ET/PT on Lifetime. Five new couples take a leap of faith when they walk down the aisle to marry a complete stranger. All 17 episodes are megasized to 2 hours to capture each couple's emotional journey as they go from wedding to honeymoon to early nesting to the daily struggles of working on their marriage. After several weeks together, each couple must make a decision: do they remain together or decide to divorce? The Season 11 couples are: Amelia (27) & Bennett (28); Amani (29) & Woody (30); Olivia (30) & Brett (35); Christina (30) & Henry (35); and Karen (30) & Miles (26).

The twelfth season of MAFS debuted on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 from 8-11pm on Lifetime with a three-hour season opener. Couples for the twelfth season include: Briana (28) & Vincent (27); Clara (27) & Ryan (29); Haley (28) & Jacob (38); Paige (25) & Chris (27); and Virginia (26) & Erik (34).

On Wednesday, July 21, 2021 from 8-11pm ET/PT, Season 13 of MAFS premiered on Lifetime. The new season features MAFS' first Asian-American couple who celebrate their marriage with a traditional Vietnamese tea ceremony and because everything is bigger and better in Texas, the season wouldn't be complete without horseback riding, skeet shooting, home cooking and BBQ! As the experiment goes on, some marriages will survive and one husband gets caught in a situation that no one saw coming. The Houston couples include: Myrla (34) & Gil (35); Brett (33) & Ryan (35); Bao (35) & Johnny (35); Michaela (30) & Zack (27); and Rachel (33) & Jose (35).

MAFS' fourteenth season debuted on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 from 8-11pm ET/PT on Lifetime. Season 14 once again takes on love in Boston, where Season 6 fan favorites, Shawniece and Jephte, met and married! The new season is destined to be romantic, surprising and wickedly entertaining as ten brave singles meet their stranger spouses at the altar and enter into a marriage without ever meeting before. With experts Pastor Cal, Dr. Pepper and Dr. Viviana Coles at the helm of this dynamic social experiment, the couples will have access to professional guidance, as well as the support of one another along the way -- even if the support they are given, comes in the form of some tough love. The five couples include: Alyssa (30) & Chris (35), Jasmina (29) & Michael (28), Katina (29) & Olajuwon (29), Lindsey (34) & Mark (37), and Noi (33) & Steve (38).

Season 15 of MAFS debuted on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 from 8-11pm ET/PT on Lifetime. The show heads to the sunny West Coast for the first time ever. Singles from San Diego, California will meet their matches for a brand-new season, destined to be entertaining, surprising and full of romance. With experts Pastor Cal and Dr. Pepper at the helm of this social experiment, the couples have access to professional guidance and support along the way. New to this season, DeVon Franklin, Hollywood producer, NY Times Bestselling Author and Relationship Advisor and Dr. Pia Holec, a renowned psychotherapist who specializes in sex and couples' therapy, bring additional support and advice to the couples throughout the process. Every new two-hour episode will capture each couple's emotional journey as they go from wedding to honeymoon, to early nesting and navigating the daily struggles that come with a new marriage. The newly matched couples also get the opportunity to get together and share the good, the bad and the ugly about their unique unions. After the eight-week experiment comes to an end, each couple will make the biggest decision of their lives: to stay married or get a divorce. The love, stakes and suspense are at an all time high on this incredible season of Married at First Sight. The five couples for the new season are: Lindy (29) - Doctor of Physical Therapy & Miguel (35) - Associate Medical Director; Krysten (32) - Sales Rep & Mitch (41) - Environmental Policy Advocate; Alexis (29) - Logistics Specialist & Justin (33) - Digital Marketing Specialist; Stacia (37) - Accountant & Nate (34) - Day Trader, and Morgan (27) - Registered Nurse & Binh (29) - Engineer.

MAFS Season 16 premiered on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 from 8-10pm ET/PT on Lifetime. Ten Nashville, Tennessee based singles will embark on a journey to meet the love of their lives during this 23-episode season, where they'll marry a complete stranger, travel to their honeymoons and then move in together as husband and wife. After the 8-week social experiment concludes, each newlywed will have to come to terms with the hard truth of their marriage status and make a life-changing decision -- continue to stay married and start a future together, or get a divorce and go their separate ways. This season, there will be even more romance and intense stakes, including a shocking twist where one bride's husband decides to make an indecent proposal to another man's wife. The new season reunites experts Pastor Cal and Dr. Pepper with DeVon Franklin, New York Times Bestselling Author and Relationship Advisor and Dr. Pia Holec, a renowned psychotherapist who specializes in sex and couples therapy. The Nashville couples are: Airris (39; Software Engineer Instructor) & Jasmine (32; Competitive Cheerleading Coach); Christopher (36; Business Coach) & Nicole (32; Senior Marketing Advisor); Clint (40; Account Executive) & Gina (35; Salon Owner); Mack (34; Director of Operations) & Domynique (25; Associate Sales Broker); and Shaquille (31; Executive Director) & Kirsten (32; Real Estate Agent).

On Wednesday, October 18, 2023 from 8-11pm ET/PT, MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT kicked off its 17th season with a three-hour episode. In Denver, 10 singles take the plunge to marry strangers, sight unseen in two weeks; among them, an inexperienced bride questions her decision, while a groom's girthy secret shocks everyone; the countdown to the weddings is on. The Denver couples include: Emily (29) & Brennan (28); Lauren (30) & Orion (27); Becca (31) & Austin (31); Clare (27) & Cameron (32); and Michael (38) & a Mystery Match.
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Season 18 of MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT debuted on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 from 8=10:30pm ET/PT on Lifetime, heading back to Chicago for the new season. Ten singles looking for love embark on a journey to meet the love of their lives, where they will marry a complete stranger at the altar, travel to their honeymoons and then move in together as husband and wife. After the 8-week social experiment concludes, each newlywed must decide if they want to continue to stay married and start a future together or get divorced and go their separate ways. This season features a mature cast with more twists and turns than ever before, including an explosive cheating scandal that leads to a couple swap, which is sure to leave viewers speechless. Season 18 reunites Pastor Cal, Dr. Pepper and Dr. Pia, all returning as experts to provide the couples with professional advice and support as they navigate through their marriage. The Season 18 couples are: Karla (33) & Juan (36), Camille (32) & Thomas (42), Madison (29) & Allen (35), David (35) & Michelle (38), and Emem (34) & Ikechi (41).