It’ll be a history-making trans-Tasman double Married At First Sight wedding when MAFS NZ groom Samuel Levi and MAFS Australia participant Liam Cooper tie the knot!
After four years together, the Aussie reality star, 33, dropped to one knee and popped the question unexpectedly while the pair were on a weekend away near their home in Melbourne.
“He completely caught me by surprise and I was in total shock,” Kiwi entrepreneur and influencer Samuel, 32, tells Woman’s Day.
The surprise proposal
“I stood there with my mouth open for ages before I managed a yes. It was a real OMG, WTF moment. “Then came the tears – from me, then he cried too – and a lot of hugging. It was one of those surreal moments I’ll replay over and over again. It was the most unforgettable memory of my life.”
Celebrating with friends
The lovebirds were joined on their romantic getaway by Sam’s MAFS co-star Julia Malley, 39, who also now lives in Melbourne.
Samuel says, “Having her there to celebrate was really special. It just felt natural she was part of it. She’s been there literally since day one of that experiment all those years ago.”
Past marriages
Samuel had a disastrous marriage to tradie Tayler Morgan on the second season of MAFS NZ in 2018, while bisexual former prison officer Liam was unsuccessfully matched with Georgia Fairweather in Australia’s eighth season in 2021.
Finding true love
Samuel shares, “Our last experiences of being married was having rings slapped on our fingers from randoms. This time, it’s true love and it just feels so right! The moment the ring went on my finger was amazing.”
The pair recently travelled to Auckland to visit Samuel’s whānau.
Welcomed by the family
He adds, “Liam’s slotted into my family like he’s been there all along. My parents have loved him from the very first time they met him and he gets on well with my twin brother, who’s my best friend, which is a big win. Even my nephews absolutely adore him – and they’re tough critics!”
As for the upcoming nuptials, Samuel insists they’re not “big, extravagant individuals”, but it’ll likely be a destination wedding. For now, they’re just cocooned in a little love bubble.
Samuel continues, “We’ve both known for some time that, deep down, we’re made for each other. We’re not just building a life together but a bigger family story too.”
