When host Jesse Palmer announced that Season 19 of "The Bachelor," which premieres on July 11, would have two Bachelorettes, people had questions.
Mainly, how would co-Bachelorettes Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey, first introduced in Clayton Echard's season of "The Bachelor," date among the 32 suitors at the same time?
Palmer listed a few more specific questions in the premiere of "The Bachelorette:" Which woman gets to date which guy? Who chooses? What happens if both women fall in love with the same man?
Even Windey, in the intro for Season 19 filmed before the season unfolded, said she "had a ton of questions." Recchia, on her end, said, "I don't know how this is going to work."
Clearly, though, the questions got answered. In an interview with People teasing the new season, Windey said it was "huge learning process for everyone" because it was "such new territory" to have two Bachelorettes.
Until the premiere, there were many questions about the show’s format, including how rose ceremonies would work.Here's what we know.
Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia began by dating same group of men
Windey and Recchia are still dating the same men, the very scenario that led to heartbreak on "The Bachelor:" Echard broke up with both women in the finale.
And indeed, the teaser for Season 19 hinted at drama related to having two leads in one season. “Having two Bachelorettes has provided a struggle and it’s all coming to a head,” Windey said in the trailer.
Ahead of meeting the men, Windey and Recchia have a conversation about their strategy — and their types. "I'm sure there's going to be overlap in the beginning," Windey said.
"Dating the same guys is definitely going to be challenging. With two of us, we're just going to have to figure it out," Recchia said.
Perhaps Windey put it best when she said, “Hopefully I’m going to meet my husband, and hopefully it’s not going to be the same one Rachel wants."
Early rose ceremonies were joint
During the first rose ceremony in Episode Two, Palmer revealed that the Bachelorettes would be handing out joint roses. A rose was a “yes,” at that point, from both Recchia and Windey.
Earlier on in the episode, Recchia eliminated Jordan V. on both of their behalves, and they eliminated Chris together.
In the third episode, the contestants were split into two groups
In the show’s third episode, the contestants began to sort themselves and choose which Bachelorette they wanted to pursue.
Three men, in quick succession, told Windey they felt more of a connection with Recchia, leading to feelings of insecurity.
“I think these guys saying that because i’m different they don’t want to be with me, is validating that I’m maybe too much for people,” she said.
Recchia and Windey spoke afterwards, with Recchia supporting Windey.
Following the discussion, the format changed. Palmer announced the change ahead of the next rose ceremony: Each man had to commit to one woman.
"If you accept a rose tonight you are continuing to date a woman — one woman — that offers you the rose you accept," he said.
Windey explained the Bachelorettes' reasoning for their decision. "We have to be brave enough and separate at some point," she said.
But the process was shaky. During the rose ceremony, three men rejected Recchia's roses, meaning she couldn't give away those roses. Recchia called the process humiliating. “This was supposed be us taking the power back. We literally handed it to them," she told Windey.
Limo entrances were completely different this season
Recchia and Windey greeted all the suitors at the same time, meaning that they could talk about each man after they made their introductions.
In short? That means each gent had to make two good first impressions, and they had different strategies. Aven, for example, appealed to both Recchia and Windey's close family bonds. Another suitor put sound-blocking headphones on Recchia and Windey to have a bit of private time with each.
Windey said they were making each "feel special individually."
Ultimately, their journeys are individual
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Windey said their journeys were ultimately individual.
“We started off dating the same pool of men, but naturally when you’re working towards a life partner, you have to have your own journey," she said.
Though they were aligned on their individual paths. "Not only do (audiences) get to see two love stories, but they get to see our friendship as well," Recchia told Entertainment Tonight.
Windey also called Recchia, whom she bonded with while filming “The Bachelor,” a “built-in support" to People.
They 'made their own rules'
Palmer said Recchia and Windey took charge of the unprecedented season. “Gabby and Rachel deserve a ton of credit because they really took control of this thing. They made up their own rules along the way, took charge,” Palmer said on Us Weekly's "Bachelor" podcast "Here For the Right Reasons."
Recchia said as much as she got out of the limo for the first time in the premiere: "We're going to be learning along the way."