MAFS 2025: Disaster Strikes as Bride and Groom Discover They Already Know Each Other

Married At First Sight 2025 got off to a disastrous start as one bride and groom realised they have already met after laying eyes on one another at the altar.

Filming for the 2025 series of the Channel Nine dating show is well underway, but one wedding got off to a very unexpected start this week.

Nervous groom Jeff Gobbels waited at the altar in the garden ceremony for his bride Rhi Disljenkovic, who he had been matched up with by the experts.

However, the actor was given the shock of his life when he realised he already knew his blushing bride Rhi in a very unlikely twist.

Pictures and videos of the big moment obtained by Daily Mail Australia showed Jeff’s stunned reaction upon seeing the Melbourne-based fitness blogger walk down the aisle.

Jeff, who looked suave in a black three-piece suit, looked shocked and immediately began laughing when he saw glamorous bride Rhi walking up to meet him.

As she reached the altar, Jeff said: ‘Hi Rhi,’ in a clear sign of their past connection, going against the show’s famous concept that the couples marry upon ‘first sight’.

In response, Rhi looked equally as stunned as she declared: ‘What the hell?’

Their family and friends were all seen erupting into laughter as they too acknowledged the amusing gaffe.

Despite the very unlikely start, the newlyweds walked off hand-in-hand after exchanging vows as it appeared to be a pleasant surprise for the pair. 

Rhi is currently employed as an IT account manager at Seisma Group, having previously held similar managerial roles at other companies. 

Meanwhile, Jeff is the third TV star to be cast on the 2025 instalment of the dating show, prompting backlash from fans over producers casting well-known names.

He made his debut on long-running Aussie soap opera Neighbours in 2017 as police officer Kurt Bridges and went on to appear in three episodes of the show.

He has also racked up other minor acting credits in TV mini series The Warriors, 2018 film Undertow and 2019 Chinese drama The Whistleblower.

The Bachelor star Sierah Swepstone and Perth-based fitness coach Paul Antoine, who previously appeared on The Real Love Boat, will also be part of the new season.

Sierah’s elimination from The Bachelor went down in reality TV history as one of the best exits when she hilariously confessed Jimmy wasn’t into ‘tall, horny bogans’ after he sent her home.

Despite her genuine search for love on her previous reality show, many believe her casting on MAFS is a strategic move by the producers to attract viewers rather than focusing on authentic matchmaking.

Some fans have even threatened to boycott the 2025 series after the casting of well-known reality stars, including Jeff, Sierah and Paul.

Fans of the show expressed their frustration on social media, accusing the producers of recycling reality TV personalities rather than giving ordinary Australians a chance to find love.

‘MAFS has lost its authenticity,’ one disgruntled viewer wrote on Instagram.

‘It’s supposed to be about genuine people finding love, not giving more airtime to people who are already famous.’

Another fan commented: ‘I’m so done with MAFS. Bringing in people like Paul and Sierah just shows how desperate they are for ratings. Boycotting this season for sure.’

‘For the last time Australia wants to see real genuine everyday people… not these types!! For the love of God,’ a third wrote.

‘Why can’t they find people that genuinely want to find a partner. Not someone that’s after social media fame. So over seeing all these people that are just social climbers,’ another questioned.