If (like us) you're addicted to Married At First Sight, then you'll be pretty familiar with the tried and tested recipe; strangers are matched by experts, 'married', and move in together where they find out the good, the bad and the ugly about each other - and decide whether to continue their marriage.
But for the first tine in Married At First Sight Australia's history, we saw a test where the couples were given the opportunity to meet their 'backup' brides and grooms - aka their alternative matches. This curve ball came as the couples sat down for their last commitment ceremony and were just days away from the Final Vows. The couples who were left in the show were given the choice whether to meet their backup brides and grooms - and most of them chose to.
If you're still watching the show, then quick spoiler alert! We've broken down everything that went down when the couples met their backup brides.
Tara-Lee Preston
Teejay, who was married to Beth, chose to meet with his 'grass is greener' match Tara-Lee, with the pair even making it to a second date. However, in an interview with Chattr, Tara revealed their relationship hadn't progressed. 'We had a second date after filming and that went well and we’re still in touch... Right now I think we’re at different points and maybe all the show fuss creates a block,' she said.
Hannah Dawson
Paul, who originally married Carina, met with Hannah Dawson, his alternative match. However, she ended up cutting the date short, before ambiguously telling the camera 'I do not want to be in a relationship with someone as curious as Paul'.
Maxine
Adrian decided to meet up with his backup bride Maxine. On the date, Adrian swooned over Maxine's looks, calling her 'just my type.' He said they had a lot in common, and their lifestyles would match. Maxine later admitted the date 'went well.' She told Yahoo: 'My date with Adrian went well. I mean, it was pretty scary and unnatural for me to have a camera filming me, but Adrian seemed comfortable with it which helped,' continuing 'I think they matched us because I said I liked dark features. I don’t know anything else [about Adrian] because I haven't watched the show, but living with a stranger for three months, there would’ve been some butting heads!'
Vivienne
Ryan met his 'grass is greener' match, Vivienne, with Ryan saying that Vivienne is 'physically' his type. However, there has been no indication of a second date since the experiment ended.
Oisin Scully
Beth decided to meet her backup groom Oisin, although the date didn't really go as planned. In an interview with 9Entertainment, Beth called Oisin 'cocky' and said she was 'disappointed at the end of the date' because it made her think about Teejay more.
Tim King
Meanwhile, Awhina, like Adrian, met up with her backup groom Tim. Despite enjoying the date, he revealed that they didn't have any contact afterwards. 'There definitely are some shared values that do align. When you spend an hour with somebody in a situation like that where you've got cameras around and you're miked up, it is hard to really be authentic and genuine,' he told Yahoo. 'But from watching the season and seeing just how kind genuine and caring Awhina is, they’re qualities that I definitely look for in a partner.'
Rory Lehmann
Jacqui went on a date with her back up MAFS groom Rory Lehmann. As their date finished, Jacqui asked Rory to give her his number. However, she later clarified her position. 'I gave him my number in case he had any questions about the filming stuff or had any issues in Sydney, that was it. [But] we didn't even text. I do not have his number, I've never spoken to this man ever since, and honestly, frankly, I didn't care to,' she said. 'It was a day away from Ryan, it was a good break, and in all honesty, all I told Rory was that I was going to be out of the experiment in 10 days, and basically I couldn't leave until Final Vows.'
Who turned down the opportunity to meet their backup spouses?
Four cast members decided not to do the 'grass is greener' challenge and meet their alternative matches. Unsurprisingly, the first two were Rhi and Jeff. However, Dave and Carina also turned down the challenge, while their partners, Jamie and Paul took up the opportunity to meet their backup spouses.