Channel 5’s Rich Wedding Poor Wedding saw a Salford couple exchange their wedding budgets with a millionaire couple
Monde Mwitumwa TV and Celebrity Reporter
22:40, 03 May 2026
Couple Gary and Janet got to have their dream wedding after swapping budgets(Image: Channel 5)
A Rich Wedding, Poor Wedding bride was left stunned by the “extravagant” cost of her special day. During the first episode of the brand new Channel 5 series, which aired on Sunday (May 3), two couples from opposite ends of the financial spectrum swapped budgets for their weddings.
One pair, accustomed to life’s luxuries, were tasked with planning a wedding on a shoestring, while the other couple had a generous sum at their disposal. Taking part in the experiment were millionaire couple Col and Raz, who handed over their unlimited budget to Janet and Gary, a couple who have spent years scrimping and saving and even a modest wedding felt out of reach.
Gary and Janet, who live in Salford, have been head over heels since crossing paths at a healthcare call centre 11 years ago. Gary got down on one knee during a romantic holiday two years ago.
Ever since, the pair have been eagerly anticipating their walk down the aisle, however their low-paid customer service roles make it incredibly difficult to keep their heads above water financially.
To help add to their income, Gary works as a wedding singer, yet even with this additional work, their combined disposable income amounts to just £157 a week, leaving their dream wedding firmly on the back burner.
A Rich Wedding, Poor Wedding bride couldn’t believe the price of her wedding(Image: Channel 5)
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It was a completely different story for Essex couple Col, 37 and Raz, 34, who are used to champagne lifestyles and money is no issue to them.
The couple have only been together for two years, but Col, who owns multiple businesses, revealed it was love at first sight when they met at an event. Ever since Col popped the question, Raz has been meticulously planning her big day with no intention of cutting corners. The bride had visions of an elegant princess wedding, while Col was keen on a lively party with free-flowing drinks.
The couple were eager to swap budgets, as both revealed they hadn’t always enjoyed the finer things in life, having grown up without much money.
Diving headfirst into their wedding preparations, Col and Raz were left gobsmacked upon discovering they had just £3,500 to cover everything, while Gary and Janet couldn’t believe their luck after receiving an unlimited budget.
Millionaire couple Col and Raz, who gave up their unlimited budget(Image: Channel 5)
Initially, Col and Raz struggled to make ends meet with their modest budget, particularly after bride Raz overspent on her dress. However, after navigating a few hurdles and receiving assistance from family members, they managed to pull it all together and thoroughly enjoyed their special day.
Meanwhile, Janet and Gary felt as though they’d struck gold and made full use of their unlimited budget. The couple splashed out on a £17,000 venue and a £5,000 enchanted forest. Janet spent £3,000 on her dream wedding dress and even hired a singer for their reception. The pair revelled in their lavish celebration surrounded by loved ones.
Emotions ran high when both couples reunited following their wedding swap, as Janet broke down in tears upon learning the total amount she had spent on her big day. After opening an envelope disclosing the cost of the wedding, Gary gasped as he revealed: £50,118.60.” He then joked: “What was the 60p on?”
Janet was visibly moved as she said: “There are so many people in the world that have got nothing that..” The bride broke down as she admitted: “It upsets me actually, to spend that kind of money on one day.
It’s extravagant, it’s too much.” Gary comforted his wife as he said: “Do you know what though, you work hard all your life and it’s nice to get something back.”
You can catch up on Rich Wedding, Poor Wedding on Channel 5