So... what's it like to marry someone you've never met before in the full glare of TV cameras?
On Friday night (10 February) three couples tied the knot on the first South African season of Lifetime's Married at First Sight after being paired up by the show's "relationship professionals".
We caught up with one half of each of the couples who gave us the inside scoop on their experience for Valentine's Day. See if you can tell who'll stay with their new spouse after the show:
Tshepo and Pfarelo
26-year-old Pfarelo Nemavhada (a systems engineer from Soweto) married 27-year-old Tshepo Mabe (an engineering intern from Rustenburg).
What Pfarelo has to say...
TVSA: What was your instant, very first thought when you saw Tshepo?
Pfarelo: I was shocked and excited and scared, and surprised. How can a girl as good looking as her fail at finding love? I asked myself what was wrong with her and thought how lucky I was to have a girl like her in my life.
TVSA: What blows you back when it comes to romance?
Pfarelo: When a partner knows what you want and how to get you in a better mood if you are down.
TVSA: What do you find romantic and passionate?
Pfarelo: A night in, just the 2 of us with a good movie/series - that's it. No complications.
TVSA: What’s been the best thing about living with a wife that you’ve only just met?
Pfarelo: Talking to a stranger about yourself, the things you would never talk about under normal circumstances and actually open up, knowing no matter what happens they will be there, at least for 6 weeks.
TVSA: What’s been the most challenging thing about living with her?
Pfarelo: Having to adjust to sharing every aspect of your life.
TVSA: What can you tell us about your relationship that we won’t see on TV?
Pfarelo: Most of the things you'll see on TV is more of a continuation of the life off screen. The respect that you see on TV is there off camera.
Kay-Leigh and Wesley
30-year-old Kay-Leigh Els (a project co-ordinator from Fourways) married 30-year-old Wesley Collocott (a Financial Share Trading compliance officer from Centurion.)
What Kay-Leigh has to say...
TVSA: What was your instant, very first thought when you saw Wesley?
Kay-Leigh: 'Holy sh*t, that's him', and then 'don't faint' because the corset in my dress was really tight and I couldn't take a deep breath!
TVSA: What blows you back when it comes to romance?
Kay-Leigh: As most girls, I love romance (I'm a sucker for a happy ending). What blows me away is when a romantic gesture has a personal touch - it takes more than a bouquet of flowers to light my fire. ;)
TVSA: What do you find romantic and passionate?
Kay-Leigh: As mentioned above, I find personal gestures romantic. Remembering my favourite song, early morning messages, knowing what wine I like and buying me a bottle when I've had a bad day.
In my opinion, passion then grows from romanticism and learning more about each other - if a person shows kindness and consideration it adds to the passion in a relationship because you feel protected and that draws you together as ad couple.
TVSA: What’s been the best thing about living with a husband that you’ve only just met?
Kay-Leigh: Living with a new spouse means you can spend more time together and get to know each other on a deeper level in your own time and in your own space. It also helps having someone around to help with the dishes :)
TVSA: What’s been the most challenging thing about living with him?
Kay-Leigh: Living with someone you know can be difficult so living with someone you don't know is tough. I'm haven't had to share my personal space with a partner for a while so that was an adjustment.
Everyone also has their own routines and particular way of doing things so trying to find a balance that works can be tricky. Usually these are things that you pick up on during the dating period but that isn't possible when you marry a stranger.
TVSA: What can you tell us about your relationship that we won’t see on TV?
Kay-Leigh: When the cameras turn off and the crew are gone, there are just 2 people trying to find something in common. It's in these moments when you're alone that you discover the most about your partner - sometimes it's positive and sometimes it's not, but it plays a big part in the process and the eventual outcome of the experiment.
Lihle and Ferdinand
26-year-old Lihle Buthelezi (a personal assistant from Southgate) married 24-year-old Ferdinand Fester (a blader from Germiston)
What Lihle has to say...
TVSA: What was your instant, very first thought when you saw Ferdinand?
Lihle: My first very first initial thought when I saw my new husband was “He’s not my type but he is tall so that's a good start.”
TVSA: What blows you back when it comes to romance?
Lihle: Consistent effort to show love, affection and appreciation. Ferdinand is not the most romantic man around but seeing the effort he does put in by doing the little things that matter to me is what blows me back. He doesn't stop trying.
TVSA: What do you find romantic and passionate?
Lihle: The best way to show me romance and passion is to know what I need and want at that time. Which boils down to listening, being open and be willing to action.
TVSA: What’s been the best thing about living with a husband that you’ve only just met?
Lihle: Is there a best thing besides that I'm actually living with My Husband?!
TVSA: What’s been the most challenging thing about living with him?
Lihle: My biggest challenge has been allowing my husband into my space and having to let go of the idea of it being "mines" and adjusting to "ours". Compromise has been a good practice so far.
TVSA: What can you tell us about your relationship that we won’t see on TV?
Lihle: I would be lying if I said there was anything to tell that you won't see. You will see every milestone and mishap as they unfold.