"Iron Brides" sounds like a television show about female body builders tying the knot.
Instead, it's a new reality TV show where a bride's strength is measured by some pretty basic rules of marriage, like figuring out who will do the cooking and how to be a better partner.
An Andover bride-to-be is among the eight real-life brides vying for the show's top prize of $9,000 in wedding package gifts.
She's Kristy Marsh, 31, who grew up in Andover, and graduated from Andover High School in 1996. She went on to Merrimack College and earned her master's degree from Lesley College. Now a third-grade teacher in Chelmsford, she plans to marry Colby Streeter in July 2010 at the Harding Allen Estate in Barre.
This real life bride already knows a thing or two about budgets as the couple is remodeling a home in Rutland. She's living with her parents, Robert and Claudia Marsh of Andover, to save money before her wedding.
"So to win would be a huge help to my budget," she said.
Marsh was spontaneously approached to audition for the TV reality show at a bridal expo. She was asked to submit a videotape to the producer, thinking she was a long shot for selection as she described herself as someone who would never be on a reality show. Much to her surprise, she made it.
She said the show offers brides a chance to gain confidence. That's why she decided to send the video.
"What I like about the show is that it seems more positive and not dramatic like most reality shows," she said. "It will be a good experience for me."
This is the second season for the show, which airs on MY TV on Comcast (channel 18). Taping starts June 6 for this second season and contines through September. The show airs in October.
Bridezilla, it's not, as the hard work needed for a successful marriage gets all the attention - not any weight gains by wedding attendants or other drama.
"It's not mean," George C. Jobel, executive producer of Iron Brides Productions of Nashua, N.H., said of the show. "It's a life-lessons focus where we talk about being a better companion and better partner.
"Marriage is not a simple question. It's a complicated decision and we want the girls to learn all about it," he said.
Contestants must meet regularly with a life coach, take part in group discussions about marriage, blog each week and keep a journal every day. In addition, contestants meet with a lawyer, a financial planner and personal trainer as making time for fitness should be part of everyone's daily routine, he said.
Last season, one Iron Bride called it quits before the wedding. Jobel said the couple both agreed with "their heads and hearts" it was the right thing to do. So, he believes the show is helpful to marrying couples.
Marsh hopes the show will teach her more about herself. She would like to learn more about cooking, picking vendors for her wedding and ballroom dancing, and wants to hear and share wedding tips with other contestants as each plans her big day.
"It will be quite an adventure," she said. "I'm excited."
