Glamorous MAFS star ties the knot - with radio star as celebrant

Her walk down the aisle on-screen didn’t work out, but this Married At First Sight star has finally found true love.

Amy Price

2 min read

May 10, 2022 - 2:00PM

QWeekend

QWeekend

Don't miss out on the headlines from QWeekend. Followed categories will be added to My News.

We first met Davina Rankin in 2018, when she walked down the aisle on TV show Married At First Sight for a chance at love.

And while her on-screen marriage ended in controversy, she did in the wake of the reality dating show rekindle a spark with Jaxon Manuel, a friend since their chance meeting at a Brisbane nightclub five years earlier and who offered support by meeting her in her home at a time when she was avoiding the public spotlight.

Wedding of Davina Rankin and Jaxon Manuel. Picture: Danielle Webster

The couple, who live in Manly on Brisbane’s bayside, never looked back, with Rankin rejecting further TV dating offers to focus on her new love.

They welcomed their daughter, Mila-Mae, in November 2019 and Manuel surprised Rankin by proposing on her 30th birthday in early 2021.

In April, four years on from her TV wedding, Rankin married Manuel in front of 100 guests at picturesque Tweed venue Fins at Plantation House, Mila-Mae walking down the aisle first in a custom Bloom dress to match her mother’s in a dream ceremony Rankin says couldn’t have been more perfect.

Even B105’s Abby Coleman came out of celebrant retirement to officiate the nuptials.

How did you meet?

We have been friends for over 10 years but we made it official about five years ago.

Celebrant Abby Coleman and bride Davina Rankin.

Who proposed?

Jax proposed at The Calile Hotel in Brisbane on my 30th birthday in March 2021 and surprised me with a birthday and engagement party with all our friends and family.

First dance song?

Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, the version by Lauryn Hill.

Honeymoon?

We checked in at Halcyon House nearby at Cabarita Beach after the ceremony. It’s a beautifully restored beachside hotel.

What was the standout moment of the day?

Mila-Mae walking down the aisle with Jax’s sister. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. She had her dress custom made by Bloom, who also made my dress, and wore a flower crown by Bumble Bloom.

Wedding of Davina Rankin and Jaxon Manuel. Picture: Danielle Webster

What would you do differently?

Absolutely nothing! It could not have been more perfect. I think we actually nailed the whole thing. Our entertainment, the Fonoti Brothers, honestly made the whole night, it was probably the first wedding I’ve ever been to where people were dancing before the mains got served. The drinks were always full and the food was incredible! Wouldn’t change a thing.

One thing you wish people told you about planning a wedding?

Being from an events background I was actually pretty savvy when planning the wedding and thankfully knew a lot of the vendors prior so the process was super easy and fun for me. I always loved Fins so it was the first venue we looked at and we booked it on the day.

What helped you get through the stress of the planning?

Thankfully we weren’t affected by Covid. I actually had basically booked and paid for everything nearly a year in advance so I think getting that all done nice and early was my saving grace. By the time the wedding had come around I had already had things organised and ready to go.