Jai Arrow Finally Reveals Why He Couldn’t Wait Until October to Say “I Do” — And One Quiet Health Change Explains Everything
Jai Arrow and Berina Colakovic always dreamed of saying “I do” surrounded by family and friends in Italy.
Instead, they quietly exchanged vows months earlier in an intimate Sydney ceremony.
Now, the heartbreaking reason behind that unexpected decision has emerged — along with a deeply emotional update on Arrow’s health that explains why waiting was no longer an option.
A Wedding Brought Forward for One Heartbreaking Reason
The former South Sydney Rabbitohs star and Colakovic were originally planning to marry in Italy later this year.
But after Arrow’s diagnosis with motor neurone disease (MND), everything changed.
According to Nine Newspapers, the couple decided to move their legal wedding forward because Arrow feared the disease would continue affecting his speech.
His greatest fear was painfully simple.
That by October, he might no longer be able to clearly say the two words that mattered most:
“I do.”
Instead, the couple quietly married in Sydney on Sunday in a private ceremony that even surprised many of Arrow’s former teammates.
They still intend to celebrate with family and friends in Italy later this year.
“Don’t know how Italy will top this one, but we can’t wait to celebrate with all our family and friends,” Berina wrote on Instagram.
A Subtle Health Change Fans Had Already Begun to Notice
Arrow first announced his MND diagnosis publicly in May.
At the initial South Sydney press conference, he chose not to speak, allowing Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly and coach Wayne Bennett to address the media instead.
When he later gave his first television interview with Channel Nine, many viewers noticed a significant change.
His speech had become slower and noticeably affected by the disease.
Although Arrow spoke movingly about drawing strength from his one-year-old daughter Ayla Rae, the impact MND was already having on his voice was impossible to ignore.
It was this quiet but heartbreaking progression that reportedly convinced the couple not to delay their wedding any longer.
A Joyful Day Filled With Love
Despite the difficult circumstances, the wedding itself was filled with warmth and happiness.
Arrow wore a classic black tuxedo while Berina chose a chic white mini wedding dress paired with a veil.
Their daughter Ayla Rae played a special role in the intimate celebration.
Berina also thanked close friends who helped make the day possible and looked after their little girl while the couple exchanged vows.
The newlyweds later shared a series of joyful family photos that quickly drew an outpouring of love from across the sporting world.
Messages of congratulations poured in from fellow athletes including Liam Knight, Mark Geyer, Shayna Jack and Adam Reynolds.
The Love Story They Refused to Put on Hold
Arrow proposed during a romantic holiday in Italy in October 2024.
Just weeks later, the couple announced they were expecting their first child.
Ayla Rae was born in April 2025.
Only a little over a year later, the family’s future was turned upside down by Arrow’s MND diagnosis.
Rather than allowing the illness to delay another milestone, the couple chose to embrace the moment while they still could.
A Birthday That Will Mean More Than Ever
This weekend, Arrow will celebrate his 31st birthday under extraordinary circumstances.
The NRL has planned what it is calling the “world’s biggest birthday party” in his honour during South Sydney’s clash with Newcastle.
The celebration will include a world-record attempt involving party hats, a halftime performance by The Wiggles, a giant birthday cake and fundraising initiatives supporting the fight against MND.
Across the competition, players have also embraced Arrow’s signature bow-and-arrow try celebration as a symbol of support.
Rabbitohs teammates say the overwhelming response reflects just how respected Arrow remains throughout rugby league.
For Jai Arrow, Two Simple Words Meant Everything
The couple still plans to celebrate with loved ones in Italy.
But for Jai Arrow, the most important part could no longer wait.
Long before the overseas celebration, before the guests and the grand venue, there were simply two words he wanted to be certain he could still say to the woman he loves.
“I do.”