TV viewers know Guido Maria Kretschmer (56) as a designer, moderator and juror. In "Guidos Wedding Race" from October 10th on VOX (and online via TVNow) he will show off another talent: he will help couples to celebrate their dream wedding. In the program, six couples face special tasks in two episodes. The outfits of the winning couples are given the finishing touches by the designer in front of the altar before he personally marries the couple. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, the fashion designer revealed what a special experience it was for him and why a couple received his phone number.
They have commented on royal weddings and now have their own wedding-themed show. What fascinates you so much about marriage?
Guido Maria Kretschmer: The time has come for couples. Due to Corona, people are "undermarried" because many could not get married. I'm a wedding professional, so to speak, because I've been happily married for so long and I know how long-term happiness works. That also has to do with my job. I've been involved in weddings as a designer since I was young. I've made so many wedding dresses in my life I can't even count them. I know the longing that you want to make the most beautiful day so big that it becomes a dream wedding.
And so Kirsten Petersen, head of entertainment at VOX, approached me and asked if I would like to do this show. I always thought something like this would be perfect for me. I was a big fan of "Dream Wedding" with Linda de Mol and therefore I think it's all the nicer to now accompany people on their journey to the altar.
What makes "Guido's Wedding Race" so special?
Kretschmer: It's different from other wedding formats such as "Traumhochzeit" because I'm allowed to do it. The show bears my signature. I'm part of the show as a designer, but also as a person - as someone who is very close to it. I not only accompany the people, but also act as a wedding speaker at the end and marry the couples. Our show is "Dream Wedding 2.0" - arrived in the now.
But the show is also about the question: "Who am I? And who is my background?" Because you're not just marrying one person, you're marrying the whole family. That's why it was important to us to also involve the couple's mothers, mothers-in-law, fathers, brothers, sisters and work colleagues.
So it's not just love that's in the foreground, but also the people behind it?
Kretschmer: Yes, and yet the most important message of the show - and I always said that when I left: "Long live love". I always say that to Frank when I leave the house. Because I believe that love saves everything in life and that it needs to be reminded regularly. That's why we built a lot of beautiful moments into the show so that even when I'm gone and everyday life comes, the couples have something to remember. For example, we wrote them our own poems, which may stay with them and become a bit of a life's work.
I even gave a couple my phone number. I told them, "You have to promise me that if you ever have problems and you think you can't go on, you have to call me."
How did the idea of love poems come about? Do you also write poetry privately?
Kretschmer: Due to my grandmother on my father's side, I'm very fond of poetry. She was from Silesia and a very intellectual woman who knew a lot of poems and taught me these. I got the talent from her. I'm very good at memorizing and I'm still learning new poems on a regular basis. Once you understand poetry, it's a beautiful framework to swing your way through life as it speaks of the big things.
The couples had a chance to win a verse for each game. They had to learn and internalize them. At the end there was the last verse and the couple had to recite the poem together. That was a very nice moment.
Were there any other moments that you remember?
Kretschmer: Absolutely! There was a moment when I almost looked at myself sideways. When I first said, "Would you like to be here in front of the people..." I realized that it was a sacred moment and I was now forever connected to these couples. I led this ceremony and suddenly all eyes - parents, friends, family - were on me and I knew I had to create a moment that would last forever for all of them. That was a big, emotional moment for me.
They gave the outfits of the bridal couples "the final touch". What is important for you in a successful wedding outfit?
Kretschmer: For the outfits, it is important for heterogeneous couples in particular, but also for same-sex couples, to know that both are the main characters on the day. The woman is often the big deal. That's why I made sure that the men also feel comfortable. It was important to me that the woman sees her man in such a great look for the first time and thinks: "Hooray, this is the man of my life! Today you look better than ever!"
Women need a wedding dress that non-verbally calls out: "Hello, that's me!" And when a girl who is otherwise very tough suddenly comes in a Cinderella dress with great alarm, then I like that too. I'm a big fan of veils as there's something sacred and new about the look. It conveys: "Today everything starts anew."
It is always very important that it also fits your wallet. There's little point in going into debt and struggling financially years later because you still have to pay for the wedding.
You have just celebrated your third wedding anniversary with your husband Frank and have been a couple for 37 years. What is your secret to a long happy relationship and marriage?
Kretschmer: There are many facets that have to do with luck. First of all, you need the right person. I'm okay with myself and I like myself enough to get on with my life. This is a good prerequisite. But I like Frank a little bit better. I often think to myself - and say it far too seldom: I'm Frank's fan. And I'm glad he's different from me. We really tried to keep this difference. I never wanted him to be like me. But he refused, too. (laughs) That's the secret: to be different and to be enthusiastic about the other. Because when you're really excited about someone, you're more forgiving and put things into perspective. One should not forget that being with the other is a gift.
You are known as a designer and as a moderator and juror on numerous programs. With "Guidos Wedding Race" you start another project. Is there something about TV that you haven't done that still excites you?
Kretschmer: A dream came true for me when I was allowed to immerse myself in the world of aristocracy, because I know it very well and I have a great affinity for history. That was a dream of mine because I used to talk about it with my sister for hours on the phone. (laughs) I think that would be my dream! Doing a noble show with my sister. But I'm already doing that with Frauke [Ludowig] and I'm very happy about that. I think I'm the last person on German television who would have to say: I'd still like to have this and that. I don't want any more and wouldn't even be able to do it.
Even for Guido Maria Kretschmer, the day only has 24 hours...
Kretschmer: (laughs) Unfortunately, that's true. So I'm all the more happy about the days off. Sometimes I feel like a single mother with five children and a double job, even if I'm lucky enough to have a lot of support. But I enjoy the few days off I have a lot more than people who have more off days do. There is nothing better for me than a Sunday off.
