This article was originally published at lizanest.com.

Behind the champagne toasts, dramatic exits, and over-the-top romance, The Bachelor is governed by a surprisingly strict set of rules that contestants must follow from the moment they’re cast. From banned patterns and confiscated phones to grueling all-night rose ceremonies and ironclad contracts, the show is as much about control as it is about love. Some rules are quirky, others downright shocking, but all are designed to maximize drama. Here’s a deep dive into the strangest, wildest rules behind Bachelor Nation’s most addictive reality show.
