How Long Does It Take To Film A Season Of The Bachelor?

Before the pandemic, The Bachelor would typically premiere in mid-to-late May, and there are typically around 12 episodes of drama, competition, and if they're lucky, love. In 2020, this changed in order to accommodate COVID-19 restrictions. However, producers found a way to film safely, and the show is back to bringing fans drama on Monday nights. As the show provides weeks of entertainment, it may shock you how long it takes to film a season of The Bachelor.

Insider reports that The Bachelor usually begins filming inside "Villa de la Vina", a mansion owned by Marshall Haraden and his family. They accommodate the show every year, twice a year, by packing up all of their belongings and moving. It takes an estimated 42 days, or six weeks, to film The Bachelor, and, afterward, the family can move back in.

However, it would seem that six weeks isn't a fixed filming period. Insider reports that Arie Luyendyk's season of the show filmed for nine weeks, or around two months. Whether the show films for six or nine weeks, that's an incredibly short time period to find lasting love.

"You spend so little time with the person you choose before the final rose ceremony. I would say you probably spend about 72 hours tops with the person you wind up choosing, and 12 of that is spent 'sleeping' in the fantasy suite," former Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky told Women's Health.

While the purpose of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette is to find real and lasting love, contestants have revealed that filming isn't always what it seems. In an interview with Glamour, former Bachelor Sean Lowe spoke about what filming the rose ceremony entailed. "On TV, what you see is I hand out a rose, the girl comes forward and accepts it, and then I hand out another rose," he said, "In reality, there are about three to five minutes in between each rose because all 15 cameras have to reposition."

The contestants and crew may only work on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette for six to nine weeks, but that's filming around the clock. In an interview on Matthew Toffolo's Summary, cinematographer for the show, Chad Griepentrog, revealed that in all of the series there are often so many funny behind-the-scenes cuts that never made it to the show because cameras were rolling all of the time.

According to Insider, contestants have to consider how they come across the whole time they're in the mansion. The publication writes, "Everything they do and say can be edited by the ABC producers to make them appear any way they want." The only part of the show that isn't filmed is The Fantasy Suite date.

"A producer is never far from your side and constantly reminds you about everyone's name," Ali Fedowski told E! Online. "It is hard to remember everyone, even with the flashcards. It's all so overwhelming."