Not only were they married at first sight, but so far it looks like it was love at first sight for this year’s youngest bride and groom, PR manager Tahnee Cook, 27, and voice-over artist Ollie Skelton, 26.
The smitten MAFS couple sat down with WHO to talk about their time in the experiment…
At what moment did you realise you both had strong feelings for one another?
SKELTON: We were lucky enough to be drawn to each other quite early. We tried to not get too far ahead of ourselves with our feelings because we knew that we would be going on a journey that was really going to test us.
COOK: We were both surprised at having that instant spark and attraction. I was expecting the worst, so when you get the opposite you’re quite surprised. It’s surreal.
Can you see yourself getting married for real one day?
S: We’re in our mid-20s, so we’ve definitely got some time up our sleeves! We’re just living and focusing on each day at the moment, and getting through what’s left of the experiment.
What about moving in together?
C: During homestays I got to show Ollie Bondi [NSW], where I live. That was a really good time for us to have that experience and see what life could potentially look like in Sydney together.
Do you both want kids one day?
C: Not right now. It’s something we’ve discussed though. Right now, I’m just living my life and if that happens for me one day, then I’ll be blessed. But kids aren’t part of my plan yet.
Are both your sets of parents still together?
C: Both of us come from divorced parents. We were able to bond over what it’s like having parents who have separated, but also still having a great relationship with both parents. Sometimes in life, relationships don’t work out and that’s how life is.
S: I’m really lucky enough to have amazing relationships with both my parents and to have learnt so much from them both. That transcends into relationships with everyone in your life.
Not many successful relationships make it in the real world after MAFS. Do you think you can break that mould?
S: We hope to buck that trend!
C: We don’t want to compare ourselves to anyone and we don’t have any expectations about what any potential future relationship looks like. We’ll have to see, but for now, we’re still very happy.
Who do you think are the other strong couples in the experiment?
S: I remember a conversation that Tahnee and I had in week one. Melinda [Willis] and Layton [Mills] had rocked up to the dinner party quite frosty…
C: I was like, “I don’t know if they’re gonna work out.”
S: They seem like they’re in one of those relationships where opposites attract. They’re similar people who share a fierce, loyal and passionate relationship.
Why do you think your relationship has been successful so far?
C: I said to the experts that I was looking for a best friend and in Ollie, I feel like that’s what I’ve got.
S: Having a friendship with your partner builds a foundation to have a really secure bond. There have been times during the experiment when we’ve disagreed, but we try to focus on being open and communicating. Not sweating the small stuff. We expected the experiment would be challenging and it has been but so far, it’s brought us closer together.
Do you have any nicknames?
C: I just call him Ollie. Once I called him Oliver, which was very weird so I won’t use his full name again.
S: Tahnee’s got two nicknames – it’s ‘Tahns’ or ‘Chook’.
C: And you call me ‘Cookie’ too!
Married At First Sight airs Sun., 7pm, and Mon., 7.30pm on Nine Network
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