The sixth season of Virgin River begins with a picturesque wedding scene by the water, mist floating across the West Vancouver shoreline — a romantic start worthy of a fairytale. But as fans lean in, expecting to witness Mel Monroe and Jack Sheridan finally saying “I do,” the camera pulls back to reveal a clever misdirect.

Nope — not our couple. Not yet.

“This is a beautiful red herring,” teased Martin Henderson on the final day of filming. That’s right: the first scene of Season 6 was actually shot last — a perfect piece of TV magic to cap off the shoot.

 The Trick Behind the Treat: How the Scene Was Shot

Filmed on a rainy June afternoon, the sequence cleverly used stand-ins dressed as bride and groom to throw viewers off. Sharp-eyed fans who happened to be near the waterfront may have noticed multiple lookalikes of Alexandra Breckenridge and Henderson — but only two were the real deal.

While the faux-wedding unfolds, Mel and Jack are merely strolling by, en route to Mel’s dress fitting with Virgin River’s beloved sewing circle. It’s an understated but meaningful moment, one that sets the tone for the season.

“They come past a newlywed couple who, at first, we are led to believe might actually be the Mel and Jack wedding,” Henderson shared with Tudum. “And of course, the limo goes by and reveals that Mel and Jack are just in their regular clothes.”

 Building Up to the Big Day

This charming mislead is just the beginning of what showrunner Patrick Sean Smith calls a “season full of milestones.” That includes:

• Bridal fittings

• A rehearsal dinner

• A bachelor/bachelorette party

• And — of course — a two-episode wedding extravaganza to end the season

“Three weeks from now [in Virgin River time], the event of the year is going to take place,” Henderson says. “All of the community comes together to celebrate their love.”

Time may work differently in Virgin River — after all, five seasons spanned only a year — but fans can watch the ten new episodes at their own pace when the series drops.

 Mark Your Calendar: Virgin River Season 6 Premieres December 19

The wait is nearly over. Netflix will release Virgin River Season 6 on Thursday, Dec. 19, just in time for cozy binge sessions during the holiday season.

So while the opening scene might have played a trick on viewers, there’s no mistaking it: Season 6 is a celebration of love, community, and the road to forever — even if that road includes a few fake-outs along the way.