Rabbitohs star Jai Arrow marries wife Berina Colakovic for a second time in intimate Sicilian wedding months after civil ceremony: ‘One of those rare moments when you wish you could stop time’

DAILYMAIL.COM • 1d ago

By MARTA JARY, SHOWBUSINESS NIGHT EDITOR, AUSTRALIA 11:00 13 Oct 2026, updated 11:25 13 Oct 2026

Jai Arrow and his wife Berina Colakovic have married for a second time – and they went all out for their latest stroll down the aisle.

The couple said ‘I do’ at an intimate, outdoor ceremony at Borgo del Carato in Sicily on Saturday.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs legend and his bride exchanged vows at the restored 19th-century farmhouse, which sits on a spacious 90 hectares.

In stunning photos captured by FVM Photography, the pair celebrated with 65 guests who travelled from around the world for the destination wedding.

Berina, 31, was absolutely glowing in a Corston Couture wedding gown with a lace-trimmed, strapless bodice and flowing skirt.

She pinned a scalloped lace veil into her hair, which was worn in a half-up do with loose strands around her face.

The blushing bride accessorised with a bold pearl necklace and Christian Dior heels, while carrying a bouquet of lilies and white blooms.

For makeup, she chose a classic bridal palette with soft tones and pink nude lipstick in a matte finish.

Jai, 31, defied tradition by skipping the tuxedo and opting for a cream suit jacket paired with black trousers and a bowtie.

The footballer wore a lily boutonnière pinned to his blazer, which matched the bride’s bouquet.

The couple’s daughter, Ayla, one, was part of the wedding, watching on as her parents said their vows.

The night’s partying kicked off with Berina changing out of her wedding gown and into a slinky, sequined halter neck dress from Dio Official.

The bride and groom were joined by guests at the al fresco sit-down dinner before dancing into the wee hours.

The weekend had begun with a Mafia-themed rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding.

For those festivities, the bride-to-be was dressed in a custom-made couture corset and skirt set from Aura Bridal.

She wore a flowing sash draped around her neck, and embraced the wedding purse trend by carrying a small, satin bag.

Berina matched the purse to the satin scrunchie in her hair, which was worn in a ponytail with loose strands around her face.

The couple will honeymoon at the Mandarin Oriental in Bodrum, Turkey.

Berina told Vogue Australia that in picking a wedding venue, creating an atmosphere of fairytale romance was a primary factor.

‘Sicily has this beautiful, almost timeless romance to it, and Borgo del Carato felt like somewhere we could completely escape the rest of the world,’ she said.

Berina explained that, after a challenging period in which Jai was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, it was important to live in the moment.

‘Our lives have changed enormously over the past two years,’ she said.

‘We’ve become parents, navigated incredible highs and faced challenges we never could have anticipated.

‘It was one of those rare moments when you wish you could stop time.’

The couple first wed in a secret ceremony in July, just weeks after revealing Jai’s motor neurone disease diagnosis.

‘We did a thing! Don’t know how Italy will top this one but we can’t wait to celebrate with all our family and friends,’ Colakovic wrote on Instagram at the time.

‘An extra special thank you to our family friends The Beath’s for witnessing our special day and watching our little angel [their daughter Ayla Rae].

‘I am in awe of how amazing people are, thank you to Maddi, Lucy, Jazz, and everyone who gave their time to make this elopement an extra special one.’

The post featured photos of the couple celebrating with their baby daughter after getting hitched in Sydney’s CBD.

The Souths star proposed during a romantic post-season holiday in Italy in October 2024.

That December, the loved-up couple posted on Instagram to reveal they were expecting their first child together.

Ayla Rae was born in April 2025, just over a year before Arrow went public with the awful news about his health.

Arrow has revealed he is taking HIV medication and using hyperbaric chambers and red light therapy as he throws everything at his fight against MND.

The former South Sydney and Queensland forward said his determination to slow the disease is driven by his young daughter and his wish to witness her milestones.

Alongside medication prescribed by his neurologist, Arrow is following a high-protein, anti-inflammatory diet and focusing on stress management.

There is currently no cure for MND, and hyperbaric chambers and red light therapy are not established treatments for slowing the disease.

Arrow now wants to be present for his daughter’s first day at school, birthdays and eventual wedding.

‘That is what’s most important to me in my life, in that fight,’ he said.

‘My daughter was so young. I have a beautiful young family who need me around. And I’ll fight. As absurd as this sounds, I’ll literally fight to the death.’

The former footballer received his official diagnosis on May 14 after months of neurological testing.

Arrow says that his speech has deteriorated, his left arm has become increasingly uncoordinated, and he can no longer spread his fingers or run.

His first symptoms emerged during pre-season when he struggled with chin-ups, noticed changes in his speech and developed weakness and twitching in his arm and shoulder.

Arrow announced his medical retirement from the NRL in May.

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