His TV wedding on Married at First Sight didn’t result in a lasting love, but groom Dino Hira – who appeared on the 2019 season of the juggernaut reality TV show – has now wed for real, and he married his real-life bride Laurena Law within 10 months of meeting her
“I met Laurena at an astrology class in June 2020, we went on our first date a week later and I proposed to her in January,” meditation and mindfulness coach, Hira, 37, explains.
“We married in Hong Kong, where I was born and where we both now live, on May 15 this year.”
The smitten groom says the lessons he learned on MAFS about himself and what he wants in a relationship made him certain that his whirlwind courtship, engagement and wedding to anti-ageing doctor Law, 45, was the right thing to do.
“When you know, you know, right?” he laughs. “I just felt instantly that Laurena was the woman I was supposed to be with. I describe our connection as soul lovers rather than just as soulmates.”
Hira says he has no regrets in taking part in MAFS.
“I’m just so grateful for the opportunity it gave me,” he shares. “I’d probably still be working in the mines if I hadn’t done the show because it’s just opened me up to really thinking about what I want out of life.”
He adds that he’s still in touch with most of his cast mates but says that while he’s not close to his ex-bride Melissa Lucarelli, he’s still good friends with Cam and Jules Merchant, Heidi Latcham and Mike Gunner.
“I’m really grateful for those relationships,” he adds.
As for Law, she had no idea about her husband’s past fame on one of Australia’s most successful reality TV shows – until he opened up to her about the experience when they first met.
“No, I didn’t know about his time on the show,” she admits. “I’ve been living in Hong Kong for awhile so I’d never heard of MAFS, but when I met him I just instantly felt like he had a very down-to-earth and connected sense about him, plus he’s very handsome!”
The engagement came about following an elaborate, surprise proposal in January, in which Hira popped the question in front of all of Law’s family, friends and her three “babies” – chihuahua’s Frosty and Whiskey and dachshund Milo.
“He told me we were going to a party for my dogs,” Law laughs. “But when we got to the venue, all my friends and family were there and that’s when he dropped down to one knee. I was so shocked but I instantly said yes. It’s been so wonderful to do something so celebratory in the middle of a pandemic.” Hira adds, “We were both teary.”
The wedding ceremony itself was a traditional Hindu one in respect of Hira’s cultural background. Law, whose background is Burmese Chinese, embraced the traditions.
“The Hindi culture around weddings is very similar to Chinese culture in that it’s all about respecting family. The bride wears red and it’s about celebrating and receiving the blessing and gift of love,” she says.
The couple say they are now settling into life as newlyweds.
“We’re in an incredible time in our life,” says Hira. “I’m so incredibly grateful that I went from married at first sight to love at first sight,” he laughs.
“My wife is my one true love and we couldn’t be happier. I feel like an incredibly lucky man.”
Wedding photos by Ali G Studios.
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