The 2026 season of “Married At First Sight” is being touted as the most intense yet, with expert John Aiken cautioning that the dinner parties reach unprecedented levels of conflict.

However, amidst the turmoil and dramatic outbursts, at least one couple seems to have found an instant connection, according to the Daily Mail.

Newly released photos depict bride Stella Mickunaite and groom Filip Gregov in a flurry of affectionate embraces during their wedding day photo shoot at Novella On The Park in Abbotsford, Sydney. The pair was captured sharing intimate moments as they filmed scenes for an upcoming episode.

In a particularly eye-catching image, Filip lifts Stella off her feet, holding her aloft as they share a passionate kiss on the verdant lawn.

Stella appears completely at ease, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, while Filip supports her at the waist with a familiarity suggesting a bond that belies their brief acquaintance.

Another tender moment is captured as the newlyweds slow dance, their hands clasped and faces close, with Filip gazing lovingly at Stella as she leans into him.

Married At First Sight’s Stella Mickunaite and groom Filip Gregov unable to keep their hands off each other during their wedding day shoot. Both pictured 

In one striking image, Filip sweeps Stella off her feet, lifting her into the air as they share a passionate kiss on the lawn

A third snap shows the groom adjusting his tuxedo as Stella lingers beside him, watching closely, her body language flirty and familiar.

The intimate moments are a far cry from the ominous promos teasing drama this week, with insiders telling Daily Mail the pair hit it off instantly and chemistry sparked from the very first meeting.

Stella stunned in a figure-hugging ivory gown that shimmered with intricate beading and featured a daring open back, showing off her toned frame.

Her sleek bob was styled smooth and straight, finished with a delicate headband, while her makeup was kept fresh and glowing with bronzed skin and a soft neutral lip.

Filip cut a sharp figure in a classic black tuxedo with a crisp white shirt and black bow tie, finishing the look with a vivid pink orchid pinned to his lapel.

He was seen striding across the venue with hands in his pockets, looking calm and confident before he reunited with Stella for more romantic takes.

The couple’s loved-up display comes as MAFS insiders label the 2026 cast the most unpredictable in years, with producers enforcing tighter rules than ever including curfews, weekly drug tests and zero tolerance for cast members going rogue.

Yet while the season is being positioned as a pressure cooker, sources say Filip and Stella quietly stood out on day one for all the right reasons.

The intimate moments are a far cry from the ominous promos teasing drama this week

Insider tell Daily Mail the pair hit it off instantly and chemistry sparked from the very first meeting

Stella stunned in a figure-hugging ivory gown that shimmered with intricate beading and featured a daring open back, showing off her toned frame

The couple looked loved-up as ever during their steamy shoot

Stella, 32, is a beauty technician who moved to Australia from Lithuania nine years ago with no safety net, building her life independently

‘They were touchy, playful and clearly very into each other,’ an insider said. ‘For a season that’s meant to be explosive, these two were surprisingly effortless together.’

Stella, 32, is a beauty technician who moved to Australia from Lithuania nine years ago with no safety net, building her life independently.

Insiders describe her as blunt, passionate and deeply emotional, and say she’s often misunderstood but no pushover.

Those close to her say family and children are firmly on her agenda, and she wants a man who can lead and protect.

Filip, 37, is a carpenter with a disciplined lifestyle and traditional values, known for strict routines that include early mornings, gym sessions and cold showers.

Croatian-born and deeply family orientated, he’s described as a man who knows what he wants, and believes discipline is the key to building a stable relationship and future family.

The pair’s instant chemistry also lands as Aiken issues a stark warning about the wider group dynamic this year, revealing the experiment is destabilised by a powerful circle of ‘self-proclaimed boss babes’ whose behaviour shocked even the experts.

‘I think it’s the dynamic of the women in the group,’ Aiken said.

‘The self-proclaimed boss babes that come together, they are incredibly dominant in the experiment. They call both men and women out. And sometimes the language is incredibly confronting and at times very hurtful.’

Aiken said the dominance is so intense it changes how the men behave, with grooms sitting back and watching their words as the women ‘hold everyone to account’.

‘It’s different this year,’ he said. ‘What we found is that they were quite shocked at times about how this group of women would react, how they would speak to certain people.’

The experts’ warning has already fuelled speculation about which brides will emerge as major players in the season, with this year’s line-up featuring cast members including Alissa Fay, Bec Zacharia, Gia Fleur, Mel Akbayir, Julia Vogl, Rebecca Zukowski, Rachel Gilmore and Brook Crompton.

The grooms include Chris Nield, Danny Hewitt, David Momoh, Steve Powell and Steven Danyluk.

Daily Mail has also revealed production has been rocked by off-camera chaos, including reports of cast walkouts, frantic behind-the-scenes damage control, and a runaway bride drama that sparked a full-scale search.

But for now, it seems Stella and Filip may be one of the rare matches delivering romance instead of mayhem, with their steamy wedding shoot offering an early hint that the experts might have nailed at least one love story amid the carnage.

Married At First Sight continues Sunday night on Channel Nine.