Why ‘Married At First Sight’ Bride Jessica Says Watching Is ‘Awkward And Frustrating’

“Married at First Sight” is quite a process. The Lifetime reality show introduces couples at the altar, and the couples often learn a lot about themselves as they get to know each other. Jessica Studer told International Business Times about her “stressful” experience and how she learned to be vulnerable while creating the foundation for her marriage with husband Austin Hurd. The following Q&A was conducted via email.

IBT: If you could go back in time and give yourself advice at the beginning of filming “Married at First Sight” Season 10, what would you say?

Jessica: If I could go back and give myself advice at the beginning of filming, I would tell myself to try to relax. The whole process is very stressful, especially for someone like myself who is a planner and very organized. It was hard to go with the flow and not know any of the details or plan for the day.

And after you meet your significant other, your life is thrown upside down. You are getting to know your new partner, all while continuing to work your full-time job and being surrounded by cameras all the time. This can cause a lot of stress. I think if I had told myself to try to remember the cameras are only there for eight weeks and to take more moments to relax with just Austin, I think I would have looked a little better on television!

IBT: What was the most important thing you learned about yourself throughout the season?

Jessica: I think the lesson I learned the most was it is okay to be vulnerable. I’m not the person who likes to put themselves out there, especially in front of new people and especially in front of millions of people! From the start, I promised I would give 100% my best effort in making the relationship work. In a relationship, it is so important to be vulnerable and let someone see the true you. I'm glad Dr. V [Viviana Coles, “Married at First Sight” relationship expert] called me out on that and helped me realize I wasn’t being as vulnerable as I thought.

IBT: Tell us about watching your relationship back on the show. Is it awkward? Enlightening? Frustrating?

Jessica: As I watch myself on television, it is a little awkward and frustrating. Over the course of the eight weeks, we did A LOT of filming. Just like any relationship, there are a lot of awkward, boring parts, but those don't make for good television, especially when you have such a short time period to tell a full story.

I felt like we had a lot of really good moments together though, like a double date with Mindy and Zach and a visit to Austins’ parents. I wish more of those moments would of been seen. With five couples though there is only a limited amount of screen time; and the other couples definitely had more conflict than we did. Overall, I think they did a good job portraying our relationship over the eight weeks and I have found it enjoyable and fun to watch.

IBT: What do you wish viewers got to see more of?

Jessica: The little moments. The cameras are on you all the time. There were a lot of cute, romantic moments that never made the show. I also think that it would have been nice for viewers to see a little more of the daily life. I think viewers would be interested in seeing how we figured out things being strangers to a married couple. For example figuring out finances, schedules and routines. Obviously it isn’t as entertaining as the fights and drama which this season definitely had a lot of!

IBT: Who did you form the closest friendship with among the other brides/grooms?

Jessica: Definitely Mindy!! We hit it off from the first day at the workshops. We have a lot in common and we're very serious about the whole process. I actually talk to all the girls on a daily/weekly basis but Mindy and I have become the closest and her friends are becoming my friends!

IBT: Do you have any regrets?

Jessica: I think sometimes I did play into the questions being asked over and over. Specifically about the job travel and Love issues. But otherwise I really don't have any regrets and I am really glad I did the whole process [smile emoticon].

IBT: What is the most important thing for future “Married at First Sight” cast members to know?

Jessica: Go into this with good intentions and be flexible! If you are not looking or ready for a real true committed marriage that will entail work, don't bother doing the process! You also have to be open and flexible, no one will check EVERY box so really evaluate what is most important for you. Be flexible that you may have to bend some of your wants if you really want a lasting marriage!

“Married at First Sight” Season 10 airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EDT on Lifetime. Return to IBT for more interviews with the cast leading up to the finale.