Bridesmaid Cult Documentary

Automatically generated script; wording may contain errors. Speaker labels are inferred.

1. 00:03
   

   Sarah Lowell

   it all started with a box on my doorstep

2. 00:06
   

   Naomi Daniels

   and a note with a question I just got this feeling that it wasn't the kind of question you could say no to

3. 00:13
   

   Sarah Lowell ?

   will you be my bridesmaid

4. 00:17

   from the people who brought you keep sweet wild wild country and the NXIVM documentary comes a harrowing new cult story I was a bridesmaid

5. 00:27
   

   Dr. Greg Lawrence

   each year more than six million women fall into this type of cult they prey on vulnerable groups like college roommates and sisters-in-law

6. 00:36
   

   Sarah Lowell

   they sell you on the big day I thought it was a one-day commitment but for 18 months I was fully sucked in

7. 00:44
   

   Brittany Reynolds

   there was an email chain a group text DMS a whole less conversation in the comments on Venmo

8. 00:50
   

   Naomi Daniels

   that's in a 200 question poll about customized shirts we ended up going with bride tribe

9. 00:57
   

   Dr. Greg Lawrence

   these cults also target another vulnerable group outgoing gay men

10. 01:03
    

    Josh Chan-Moy

    I've been a bridesmaid at nine weddings this year whenever a girl starts calling me sis I know I'm in trouble

11. 01:08
    

    Dr. Greg Lawrence

    the bachelorette party is the first major ritual almost always in Nashville

12. 01:14
    

    Riley DiBiase

    I tried to say I couldn't afford to go because my student loans the maid of honor texted back no worries with a sparkle emoji I knew what that meant I sold my car to make it happen

13. 01:24
    

    Naomi Daniels

    at first I thought that the bride was in charge but it was the woman under her the maid of honor Michelle Michelle was a sociopath

14. 01:34
    

    Michelle

    attention first we're gonna be getting up at 6 a.m. for a sunrise pole dancing fitness class then we're gonna be renting a nine-person party bike we're gonna be drinking drinking drinking

15. 01:43
    

    Brittany Reynolds ?

    oh you know I'm actually not feeling that good so I might meet you guys later

16. 01:47
    

    Michelle ?

    that's okay

17. 01:48
    

    Michelle

    hey Brittany can Can we talk for a sec?

18. 01:54

    I go or not.

19. 01:57
    

    Josh Chan-Moy

    don't have many memories from the bachelorette trip because I was drugged by myself. I had no choice. These women were terrorizing every gay bar in town.

20. 02:08
    

    Dr. Greg Lawrence

    As with all cults, there is a financial element.

21. 02:11
    

    Naomi Daniels

    I spent $300 on a bridesmaid's dress. The bride swore I'd find other times to wear it. Like, where am I going that calls for a floor-length, light blue chiffon gown with a modest neckline? I'll wear it. Then the bridal shower.

22. 02:25
    

    Vanessa Cutchin

    More money, more gifts. There was all this penis stuff, sashes, straws. Everyone acted like it was hilarious. I didn't understand.

23. 02:35
    

    Dr. Greg Lawrence

    The penis stuff is very funny, I will say that.

24. 02:39
    

    Riley DiBiase

    Then finally, it was time for the big day. I was separated from my boyfriend and given a new partner, the groom's cousin, Donny, who was inexplicably 61.

25. 02:48
    

    Josh Chan-Moy ?

    The final ritual was the most demeaning. We had to write and perform original lyrics to Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

26. 03:02
    

    Josh Chan-Moy ?

    In Cleveland, Ohio is where Chelsea met Dave. Come on! Come on!

27. 03:08
    

    Naomi Daniels

    And then, all of a sudden, it was over. But I just got engaged don't worry I'm gonna be such a chill bride