MAFS 2025 wedding chaos as bushfire disrupts filming: 'Total mess'

A Married At First Sight wedding has descended into chaos after a bushfire disrupted filming and sent producers into a panic. Filming for the upcoming twelfth season of the reality show officially kicked off this week with entrepreneur and former Neighbours actor Jeff Gobbels and fitness influencer Rhi Disljenkovic tying the knot on Thursday.

The wedding took place in the picturesque location of Middle Head overlooking Sydney Harbour, however, the event was thrown into disarray due to an unexpected bushfire. While the fire was likely controlled back burning, a production insider tells Yahoo Lifestyle that things quickly got “out of control” as the flames grew bigger and bigger.

“The ceremony had to be delayed and everyone was in a panic,” the source says. “Guests were coughing and the bride’s limo had to circle around for over an hour. They couldn’t even get the limo through because fire engines were blocking the road.”

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The source adds that producers were “worried” because the ceremony was being blanketed in smoke.

“No one was quite sure what was happening,” they continue. “Producers were overheard asking one another, ‘What are we going to do?’. It was a total mess.”

The ceremony eventually began after a 90-minute delay, with Yahoo Lifestyle obtaining photos of Rhi walking down the aisle in a strapless white gown and veil to meet her future ‘husband’.

Viewers will have to wait until the new season premieres in January to find out whether the off-screen drama will feature in the episode, although the inclusion of the thunderstorm at Lucinda Light and Timothy Smith’s wedding this year suggests it will make it to air.

Who else has been cast in MAFS 2025?

Only a handful of 2025 participants have been revealed so far alongside Jeff Gobbels and Rhi Disljenkovic.

It was revealed last week that former Bachelor star Sierah Swepstone had joined the cast, as well as Perth-based fitness coach Paul Antoine who previously appeared on Channel 10’s short-lived reality show The Real Love Boat in 2022.

Meanwhile, Yahoo Lifestyle revealed on Tuesday that ‘TikTok tradie’ Dave Thomas, who is a bodybuilder and part-time model, had been spotted getting married to his mystery bride in Sydney.

The Victorian-based groom runs his own caulking business and has amassed almost 30,000 followers on TikTok posting videos documenting his renovations. The aspiring influencer set all of his social media accounts to private last week including the Instagram page for his business, Silicone Valley Caulking.

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Daily Mail also shared on Wednesday that Italian-born wedding MC and DJ Morena Farina is set to appear on next year’s season of the reality show. The mother-of-two has been described as a “cool mum” and “one of the most genuine people you'll ever meet”, while Chattr confirmed that she is season 12’s oldest bride in her mid-40s.

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