Recap | Married at First Sight Season 12 Episode 5 – the latest episode recap on TV Central from Channel 9. Watch the show on 9Now.
After eight weddings – ranging from raging successes to… Katie and Tim – the experts are ready to introduce our final two couples.
Stream every episode of Married At First Sight for free on 9Now
We’re hoping to end with a whole heap of wedding bliss, and it’ll be up to this year’s oldest couple and a pair of confident over-achievers to make that happen.
No pressure!
Morena and Tony’s wedding
Coming in hot is talkative groom Tony, an easy-going 53-year-old who is very good at fishing but not so much at being the subject of B-roll footage.
He has been married twice before and is gutted to not have had the lifelong partnership that his parents had.
He is looking for a partner who is young at heart and knows how to have fun, which is precisely where DJ Morena comes in.
Morena is a 57-year-old single mum, fitness instructor and yep, DJ.
She turned her life around seven years ago after leaving a loveless, 29-year marriage.
“I have made sure that I have the best life in the world for myself and my two kids,” she gushes.
She wants to share her energy and passion with someone else, and this coupled with their similar European roots, gives the experts a lot to be excited about.
EXCLUSIVE: Morena reveals how she became a DJ at 53 with zero experience after critics said it couldn’t be done
Tony’s morning begins with a traditional swig of rakija and then a fairly terrifying shave courtesy of his cousins.
Morena is walked down the aisle by her children, and they both beam as they see each other for the first time.
Tony’s so keen he even asks the celebrant to hurry up and get to the vows. He wants to make her his wife already (and have some more rakija, we presume).
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He gets choked up as he says that in his Macedonian culture, his parents would traditionally present his bride with a gift. Because his parents are no longer here, his best mate presents a necklace instead.
Morena says their parents are having a cheers together and bless, it’s a really sweet moment.
The warmth continues into their reception as Tony and Morena get to know each other and their families.
But there’s a storm brewing… and his name is Steven. Tony’s cousin. Can we get through one wedding without a meddling family member? NO!
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Steven doesn’t know if there is “chemistry and sexuality involved” in Tony and Morena’s relationship and hold your bloody horses, it’s only been an hour.
He think Tony has great teeth and hair and would look great with someone “potentially around 38-42”. That’s very specific!
He tells Tony he should’ve been “awarded” somebody younger, and he could “get away” with being with someone 13 years his junior.
Thankfully, Tony tells him he’s enjoying getting to know Morena.
“Woah Steve, take it easy man,” Tony replies, confirming he is attracted to her – despite their whopping four year age-gap! Take that, Steve!
Morena and Tony end the night on the high as all their guests take to the dancefloor, as they share their excitement for what’s to come.
Jacqui and Ryan’s wedding
Finding someone on her level is the biggest dating challenge for final bride Jacqui.
You see, not only is she hot, but she also – bear with me while I take a deep breath – has a brain, a university degree, modelling experience, talents for both dancing and sports, a passion for running daily 10kms, a reading list of more than 2000 books and “a growth mindset”.
And she expects a partner to be on her wavelength.
”I think it’s just a shame that there’s a lack of real men out there,” she says.
Perhaps she should stop looking for men and start looking for… warriors?
“I have a warrior’s mentality and modern self-awareness,” says her groom Ryan, completely earnestly.
Unlike Tony, Ryan is very good at B-roll – with swords no less!
He considers his presence to be “something special”.
“I just look like someone who has the ability to perform athletically,” he says, predicting that he will live to 110 years old.
That must be that modern self-awareness he was talking about.
“Who else out there can show intelligence and also be as good looking as I want them to be? It’s almost unfair to ask that,” he says. There it is again!
It all has John Aiken declaring Jacqui and Ryan “the most difficult pairing we’ve ever had to make on this experiment”.
Ryan believes he has no need for wedding day nerves, but if he could hear Jacqui’s sister ask “does he look bogan?” from the front row maybe he would rethink that.
Meanwhile, Jacqui is nervous. Nervous that her husband won’t be on her level, and also blonde.
Womp womp. Not only is Ryan not blonde, but she also doesn’t like that he hasn’t shaved his beard and delivered “lovely” vows that were “pre-written”.
On the bright side, Ryan loves her (also pre-written) vows and is completely oblivious to her concerns.
Speaking of concerns…
First of all, Ryan does not take the lead on grabbing her hand and walking them down the aisle.
To make matter worse, during their photoshoot, he is slow to give her his jacket when she complains she is cold, despite her mentioning that in her vows.
“There are like, so many s–t men out there,” she sobs to the camera.
As their reception begins, Ryan brags that Jacqui finds him “really impressive”.
Meanwhile, she thinks he should be embarrassed that he failed to take the lead. She also thinks he should be embarrassed by his breed of dog.
“I need him to impress me and owning a Staffy is just really, really unimpressive. It’s a huge red flag,” she says. Riiiiight.
It’s all up to Ryan’s wedding speech to turn it all around. She absolutely hates his cheesy jokes, but then he mentions being bullied and coming out the other side stronger.
“I haven’t ever met someone that’s been through as much as I have,” she says.
It gives her hope that there could be a future for them, even though he isn’t blonde.
Things are finally looking up, especially as Ryan brags about his 200kg squat PB.
We can’t wait to see how that impressive athletic prowess translates during their first dance. Maybe a Dirty Dancing-esque lift?
Oh…
NO.
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Surprisingly, Jacqui does not cry about this. In fact, she thinks it’s really funny.
Ryan, on the other hand, is mortified. Not about what he means for him… no, no of course not. He’s worried about Jacqui and would prefer if this was left out of the show.
“I need to have a discussion with production about preserving that woman’s dignity because that was not right,” he says.
“I don’t feel that she needs to be ridiculed like that.”
No Ryan, they won’t leave it out. In fact, it’s been in promos for weeks now.
“I’ll be the first groom in the history of this show to drop the bride,” he continues.
While he ponders a future in which we have all seen this footage, his friends believe this is the funniest thing that has ever happened.
And to be honest, same.
“[He] can deadlift 220 but can’t keep her off the floor,” they laugh.
Well, we’ve officially ended our 2025 weddings with a bang (of poor Jacqui’s head on the ground. She’s promised everyone she’s fine, I swear).
What a group we’ve got this year – we’re sure things will be perfectly calm, rational and well-behaved at tomorrow night’s first Dinner Party…
Huh, as if! We’ll see you there for what’s bound to be a night of chaos.
Buckle up, we’ll see you at the dinner table!
Married At First Sight continues Monday through Wednesday at 7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Stream every episode of Married At First Sight for free on 9Now
CREDIT: By Chelsea McLaughlin at Nine Entertainment
Please note: This recap first appeared on 9Now located HERE
Please note: This recap was written by Chelsea McLaughlin and made available on TV Central with permission by Nine
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Recap | Married at First Sight Season 12 Episode 5
