In pictures: Channel 4's My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding

Bridget Rooney, 16, and husband Patrick, 18, with their parents. They got engaged on her 16th birthday and married in Lincoln last March. In many ways they were very grown up for their age, but when asked if they were planning to have children, Bridget almost collapsed with embarrassment. Although they were very young, I got the feeling they would have a long and happy marriage
Photograph: Channel 4

Bridget and Patrick with family and friends at their traditional Traveller wedding. Her dress got stuck in the carriage
Photograph: Channel 4

Joan Furey was obsessed with having a wedding just like Jordan's, but felt her dress turned out better. She was different from the other brides in the programme: she had a part-time job and had completed school. You could sense her being tugged between the strict traditions of her family and mainstream society
Photograph: UNP

Joan and Patrick married at St Thomas of Canterbury Presbytery, Salford. Her family live in a house but have a strong Traveller identity. She was considered 'on the shelf' at 22. She planned to give up work after getting married and become a housewife
Photograph: Victor De Jesus/Channel 4

Joan and 'Pa' release doves after their wedding vows – a gift from Joan's sister
Photograph: Victor De Jesus/UNP

Joan and Pa leaving church in a pumpkin coach. Her quarter-of-a-mile journey from home to the church took Joan through some of the most rundown parts of Manchester. The carriage helped bring to life her dream of a fairy-tale wedding
Photograph: Victor De Jesus/UNP

Jolene and Michael Doran with family at their wedding in Ellesmere Port in November. After the church service, bride and groom travelled to the reception by helicopter. Jolene was terrified
Photograph: Channel 4

Jolene with her bridesmaids. The competition between the girls was fierce: on the day, Jolene noticed that her bridesmaid's dresses were bigger than hers, so instructed them to take off some of the underskirts so they did not outdo her. As a result some of the dresses collapsed
Photograph: Mike Poloway/UNP

Two of Jolene's 11 bridesmaids. They arrived in a 25ft stretch Humvee
Photograph: Mike Poloway/UNP