Love Is Blind Behind The Scenes Facts

1. The Weddings Are Real (And Legally Binding)

 Image Source: Entertainment WeeklyIt would be understandable to think that the official wedding portion of the show might be staged for viewers, with a legal ceremony taking place later off camera. But actually, the weddings shown and enacted on the show are legally binding, and not just for show.Previous cast members have explained that, as well as the show being real and not just for drama, the weddings are real (and legally binding) too. Which means a very much legal divorce would also be on the cards, too, if things didn't turn out so rosy.

2. And They're Planned By The Couples

 Image Source: People

If you're a fan of Love is Blind, then you're no doubt a fan of the hit show Married At First Sight. And with the latter, the castmates were very much instructed to have the wedding how the showrunners wanted it, including down to the bride's dream dress.But for Love is Blind, it's actually the cast mates that plan their own wedding. The production crew took a back seat as the cast mates would speak to each openly about how they wanted their wedding to be, their vows and who they would invite to it.

3. As Well As Taking A Backseat From Wedding Planning, The Production Crew Would Even Bump Up The Wedding Fund

 Image Source: Entertainment Tonight

Most people need a helping hand financially when it comes to their wedding, and the cast mates of Love is Blind are no different. And, luckily, the production crew does actually invest in the big day and future life together of the couples by giving some money towards the ceremony.The production crew wouldn't demand how their own money was to be spent, and instead left it up to the couples to decide how they wanted to enhance their own weddings and what the money would be used for - as long as they could accommodate it for the show.

4. The Pod Interactions Are Like Speed Dating At First

 Image Source: Netflix

The very first interaction between two of the cast mates in the pods is going to be the most important - can make or break an opinion - so how long does this very first interaction last? Well, the first round of dates - which are, arguably, the most entertaining......Last several minutes each, so more akin to a speed dating vibe. As time moves on, the pod interactions would naturally get longer to give them more a chance to get to know each other. The cast mates even get to choose how long they want to chat to a particular person for, later in the show.

5. The Pods Are Soundproof

 Image Source: Netflix

You'd be forgiven for thinking that the cast mates are actually talking to each other through the wall when they're inside the pods, because of course that's what it looks like, but the pods are actually soundproof with speakers in the room directed for the cast mates in question.These speakers ensure that only the two cast mates in the pod can hear each other, and to avoid cast mates hearing other dates from other pods through the wall. It'd be interesting to know whether there was ever a speaker malfunction which could make a date a little awkward...

6. The Couples Spend About 10 Days In The Pods

 Image Source: Us Weekly

Not in one sitting, obviously... But the pod segment of the show lasts around 10 days, which might be surprising seeing as the pod section when shown on the series seems to go by quite fast, with connections being made at a fast pace. The pod segment begins with a cast of around 30 people looking for love......and during the 10 day period, some are let go - which means they don't all have a go at dating during this section. The people who were really connecting apparently got more pod-time, too, to allow for more time for them to get to know each other if it was all going well.

7. People Actually Fell Asleep In The Pods

 Image Source: Netflix

I mean, to be fair, those pods do look damn comfortable - soundproof and tucked away from the world? Who wouldn't want to curl up and nap? But many people were adamant in spending as much time as possible in the pods if they were truly connecting with someone......which obviously led to lots of tired eyes and people actually falling asleep...The longest date was between 3 to 4 hours, which sounds like nothing if it was a normal date, but that's quite a long time when you're looking at an empty wall in one tiny room. No wonder people fell asleep!

8. The Show Doesn't Actually Broadcast Every Single Proposal

 Image Source: The Washington Post

You'd think while watching that you're party to every single love-story success when watching the cast mates' official proposal scenes. But, actually, some of the proposals don't make the final cut, which means there are plenty more behind the scenes of successful love stories that we don't get to see.Show runners have explained that it's naturally because of having a limited broadcast time, so they have to pick and choose which proposal scenes and stories they need to tell, whilst trying to be as diverse as possible when selecting the proposals to show.

9. The Cast Mates Are Cut Off From Technology

 Image Source: Us Weekly

A lot of people might agree that technology can both help and hinder a budding relationship. Phones out on dates, or scrolling social media instead of talking to your partner, can all be a problem, but tech can also help you connect. For the cast mates of the show, however, tech was a no go.Everyone had their phones taken off them during the filming of the show, as well as having their TV and WiFi privileges taken away from them, so that they could focus all their attention, heart and soul into finding love and making those connections.

10. They Do Get Paid To Be On The Show

 Image Source: Netflix

Most shows like this won't pay their cast members - as the opportunity to appear on TV/find true love once and for all/all of the above is payment enough in most cases - but the cast of Love is Blind actually did get paid. But it was a rather small amount...A lot of viewers might be wondering how they got to leave their everyday jobs and income to find time to sit in a small pod room for so long, but yep, they did get a small financial backing, but it wasn't much, as a source claimed it was "little if anything".

11. The Male Cast Mates Can Choose An Engagement Ring From The Selection

 Image Source: Distractify

Every good proposal needs the perfect ring, right? But what do you do when you're locked into a TV series, cut off from the world and unable to venture to the nearest jewelry store? Well, the male cast mates are provided a selection of rings by the production team.They can then choose their favorite ring from this offering. They also have the option to put some money towards a ring of choice from their own pocket, should they wish to, in order to find the best ring possible and make the proposal even more perfect.

12. But Some Of The May Choose To Bring Their Own Ring Along With Them

 Image Source: Screen Rant

One season of the show saw one of the cast mates bring along his own engagement ring - his mother's ring, to be exact - in order to offer this during any proposal if he should find true love. The cast mates are given the option to do that, or choose from the selection provided by the production team.It's common for some people to already have rings passed down through generations that they might have one day dreamed of giving to their bride-to-be, so it makes sense why some of the male cast mates might have chosen to bring along their own jewelry.

13. Sadly, That Means That Sometimes The Ladies All Have The Same Rings...

 Image Source: Distractify

Some eagle-eyed viewers may have noticed, however, that the men picking rings out from the selection provided by the production team may unfortunately mean that some - if not all - the ladies receive the EXACT SAME ring. It's inevitable when you can't openly discuss your ring design...... and when all the men are given the same options from the same pile, but it is a little sad to see all the ladies having a ring that most of the others might have, too. If there's one thing some people might want it's at least a unique engagement ring!

14. Cast Mates Described The Living Situation As "Like A Sorority"

Image Source: Refinery29

One of the most awkward things from the show has to be if two women, or two of the men, are highly interested in the same person - or even falling deeply in love with them, having to hear one of their roommates declare the same thing. You would think this would create a highly tense living situation......but actually (according to a cast member) the living situation "felt like a sorority" and a sisterhood where they supported each other. The living situation gave them an opportunity to bond as housemates and friends, with general chores and household hobbies. 

15. But It Wasn't All The Height Of Luxury

 Image Source: The Tab

For a popular TV show and the appearance of those glam kitchens and living quarters, you'd think that the cast mates would be in for a little luxury while cut off from the rest of the world - especially when enjoying hobbies together in the large communal area.But, actually, their living quarters - and more specifically, their sleeping quarters - weren't what you'd quite expect. The cast mates would sleep in their own trailers (not some snazzy hotel-type bedroom that you'd expect based on that communal area) and that their beds were even akin to "correctional facility beds", according to one previous cast mate.

16. And A Good Night's Sleep Took A Back Seat

Image Source: Decider

You'd think that when love is on the line and you need to be thinking clearly for witty exchanges and keeping up conversations that the show would prioritise the need for a good night's sleep. But apparently, sleep was put on the backburner, due to filming taking place for between 18 to 20 hours a day...... according to a previous cast mate. So not only did the cast mates have to sleep on - what sounds like - less than comfortable beds, they also didn't have to suffer them for too long either with that kind of painful sleep-deprived schedule. Ouch. 

17. The Cast Could Request Food For The Pods

Image Source: Netflix Junkie

All that conversation and facing up to your feelings definitely works up an appetite, but luckily it turns out that the cast members can request any kind of food or snacks they'd like to enjoy whilst in the pod - which explains why viewers will often see random bits of food (or the remains of) in the pod with them during the dates.If a special snack was requested and wasn't on-site, one of the team would go out and get it. It seems a fair trade when you can't actually go out for a dinner date, let alone find your favourite snack from the nearby store when you're hidden away for a TV show. 

18. ... And Alcohol Was Never In Short Supply

 Image Source: Entertainment Weekly

Most people would agree that a little 'dutch courage' would be needed when on a date, meeting with a potential love match for the first time, or even just trying to find the courage to make a proposal. Luckily, alcohol was most definitely provided for the cast mates, but that wasn't all...Whether it's an expensive bottle of champagne or a quick vodka shot, there were apparently no limits on what the cast mates could ask for - as well as there being no limits on the quantity of alcohol they could drink, either... Which could easily have been a recipe for disaster!

19. The Cast Mates Are Actually Given A Helping Hand For Their Dates

 Image Source: Glamour

If you're a seasoned dater, you'll know how awkward it can be when you can't think of ANYTHING to say. And when you're stuck in a pod facing a blank wall, it's going to be even more awkward to run into flat silence. So, cast members are actually provided with suggestions from the production team...... consisting of things to talk about during those famous pod date scenes. The suggestions would include questions they could ask, or conversation starters - but the cast mates had the choice whether they wanted to use the suggestions or not, leaving them with enough freedom to still steer the conversation how they saw fit.

20. They Are Actually Allowed To Describe How They Look

 Image Source: Entertainment Weekly

This one may be surprising for a show based on the whole idea that 'love is blind' and they should fall in love based on personality before looks. But the contestants were given the green light to describe their appearances, should they wish to do so.Previous cast members explained that they'd described their celebrity lookalikes to give their potential love match a better idea of what the person they were speaking to through the wall looked like... One cast mate would also be allowed to ask the other what they looked like.

21. Pod Dates Would Take Place During The Day And Night

 Image Source: Deadline

With the cozy atmosphere of the pods, the ambient lighting and the lack of windows, you can be excused for thinking that the pod dates are always late at night, or intimate evening dates. But, overall, the pod dates take place during the day as well as in the evening - due to the fact that so much time is needed!Cast mates have explained that they're extremely long days, and that whenever the number of women or men to date decreased as time went on, the duration of the pod dates themselves would then increase. Day dates could be three hours, while night dates could be at least two. Thirsty work.

22. It's Definitely Not Scripted

 Image Source: Digital Spy

As mentioned in a previous point, the cast mates are given helpful prompts of what to talk about or bring up during the pod dates, which could beg the question whether it's ACTUALLY scripted behind all that. But no, the dates and conversations aren't scripted at all......and the cast mates are also given the option to choose whether or not to use the conversation prompts given to them by the production team. A previous cast mate even admitted that he'd have to ask if he's doing it right based on what he was saying in the pod (all his own words and not scripted!).

23. The Application Process Is

Very

Extensive

 Image Source: Radio X

Like most shows of this calibre, you'd expect a lengthy application process so that the show could pick the right cast mates. But the lengthy questionnaire was more focused on the types of things each individual would want from a partner, and from a relationship. These detailed questions - as well as long interview processes - included...... discussions about non-negotiable traits, what kind of person their looking for, what kind of relationship their looking for, what some red flags might be and what some of their pet peeves are. When you're talking about marriage, the more questions asked, the better!

24. The Cast Actually Got Close To The Production Team

 Image Source: Radio Times

For a show like this, as with a lot of reality shows, you might expect the production crew to be a little distant, focusing more on ratings and scripts rather than emotions and personalities. But it turns out with Love is Blind, the producers were always there for the cast mates...... and always ready to lend an ear. One cast mate said that she referred to her producer as an "active therapist" and that she ended up being very close to her throughout the entire experience. Obviously the producers cared as much about a love match as the cast mates did!

25. Those Pods Are Actually In California

 Image Source: Factinate

You might have been wondering where those pods were actually located - in some dingy TV studio somewhere, down a back alley or in a tropical paradise (that unfortunately wouldn't be seen out of the windowless room). But, in fact, the pods are in sunny California.Kind of a shame that the cast mates have to stay in a small dark room for their dates instead of the many activities California would offer for first dates, but oh well - such is the nature of the show! Not only that, but Season 2 of Love is Blind in these very pods was actually filmed over a year ago!

26. The Contestants Definitely Can't See Each Other Behind The Wall

 Image Source: Los Angeles Times

You have to wonder whether the cast mates ever get a sneaky peek of their love match through the wall before the big reveal - maybe a secret of the show where they actually do double check whether someone physically takes their fancy before they propose. But nope...... they definitely don't see each other through that wall. There's no spyhole, too-obvious-a-silhouette or anything other than the sound of their voice. A former contestant said that you have no idea what's going on at the other side of the wall. Definitely no sneak peeks!

27. Some Of The Doubt And 'Being-Torn-Between-Two-People' Is Cut From The Show

 Image Source: Digital Spy

You naturally can't expect everything to be aired on a show like this, and especially not the tiny doubts of every single person during the pod dating stage. But apparently there was some doubt and issues with one contestant being torn between two people that was never aired on the show.Contestant from series 2, Deepti, explained that Shake wasn't the only person she was into during the pod dating stage, and that she wished the show had aired more of the back-and-forth doubt she had experienced during her time there in regard to trying to choose between two people.

28. Couples Aren't Supposed To Go Out Together In Public While The Show Is Airing

 Image Source: Decider

Nobody wants a spoiler in the form of seeing a Love is Blind couple walking in the street hand in hand before they've finished binging the show on Netflix. This is where the 'this was filmed a year ago' begins to cause problems, which is why couples aren't really supposed to go out in public and be seen together as an 'official couple' before the show has finished airing.Obviously this is quite difficult to achieve when you just want to live your normal life, but it is the perfect excuse for a newly married couple to stay inside together, put some sweats on and binge-watch their latest program. But it's still a bit of a disappointment when you've been stuck in those pods for so long.

29. And Friends And Family Aren't Supposed To Make Social Media Posts Either

 Image Source: Radio Times

It's one thing to try and keep your relationship on the down-low when you're the couple in question, but trying to keep tabs on all friends and family and their social media pages, too, is a LOT of work. But apparently it's a requirement of the show before the show has finished airing...... just in case a family member or two posts a cheeky snap of post-wedded bliss. Which is easier said than done when you're a proud parent, best mate or sibling wanting to shout from the social media rooftops about the result of the show... Sometimes you might even post something by accident, like a shot of the couple kissing at the family BBQ in the background of your own selfie!

30. Some Of The Married Cast Mates Have Been To Couple's Counseling After The Show Wrapped Up

 Image Source: People

It's clear that some of the show's marriages wouldn't work out once outside of the TV show and back to reality when you're arguing over who's going to do the dishes. But the main thing is that a lot of couples, despite any potential problems, are choosing to work on them rather than walk away.Nick and Danielle from Season 2 had admitted to finding their marriage a challenge when the show wrapped up, but spoke out about couple's counseling being one thing that helped them with their communication problems, and that the couple's sessions have really helped them to grow.