Stephanie Rice has tied the knot with her partner Mark Lassey after a whirlwind ten-month romance.
The former Olympic swimmer, 38, revealed on Instagram on Friday that she exchanged vows with the Australian pastor at a vineyard ceremony in his native Perth.
The couple met in early 2024 and got engaged in September after seven months of dating.
For the ceremony, Steph looked every bit the blushing bride in a beautiful strapless satin dress with a long train flowing out behind her.
She let her dress do the talking and simply paired it with a dainty necklace and earrings, while wearing her brunette locks loosely over her shoulders.
Steph gazed fondly at her new husband Mark, who cut a dapper figure in a tuxedo consisting of a white shirt, black trousers and a soft cream jacket.
Stephanie Rice has tied the knot with her partner Mark Lassey after a whirlwind ten-month romance
The former Olympic swimmer, 38, revealed on Instagram on Friday that she exchanged vows with the Australian pastor at a vineyard ceremony in his native Perth.
The couple shared a video documenting the moment they were declared a married couple.
In the images, they beamed with joy as they stood hand in hand at the outdoor altar, which was set under a natural pergola of green vines.
They were then showered in confetti as they walked down the aisle as a newlywed couple before sharing a romantic kiss.
The couple then celebrated their union with their closest family and friends at an outdoor sunset reception on the vineyard grounds.
Later that evening, the couple kissed as sparklers lit up the sky behind them.
In an accompanying caption, Steph shared her excitement about starting her married life with Mark in Dubai, where they plan to live together.
She gushed, “Surrounded by our closest family and friends, those who have loved, supported and guided us on our journey all came together to celebrate our love and the beginning of an eternal togetherness.
“As we step into this new chapter as husband and wife, where two become one, our hearts are so full.
For the ceremony, Steph looked every bit the blushing bride in a beautiful strapless satin dress with a long train flowing out behind her.
The couple shared a video documenting the moment they were declared a married couple (pictured)
“The day was everything we dreamed of: overflowing with love, joy and the tangible presence of God. It felt like heaven was touching earth.
‘Thank you to everyone who made our day so special! We are truly blessed.”
She ended her message with a Bible quote, adding, “I know all about the wonderful destiny I have in store for you, a future planned in detail.
‘My intention is not to harm you, but to surround you with peace and prosperity and to give you a bright future, glittering with hope – Jeremiah 29:11 TPT.’
Three-time Olympic gold medalist Stephanie joined the Church when she moved to Dubai late last year and is now deeply involved with Kingdom City.
Mark is a pastor at the same organization in Perth and has been with the church for more than ten years, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Kingdom City started in Perth in 2003 and has since gone global with operations in Africa, Europe and Asia, in addition to the Middle East.
Their wedding comes after a whirlwind ten months of dating, after they were first introduced by a mutual friend in early 2024.
The couple then celebrated their union with their closest family and friends at an outdoor sunset reception on the vineyard grounds
Later that evening, the couple kissed as sparklers lit up the sky behind them
They quietly dated for five months before taking their romance public on Instagram in July, just weeks before they got engaged.
The couple have been in a long-distance relationship, with Mark living in Perth while Steph moved to Dubai in November 2023.
The couple announced their engagement in September after Mark popped the question at the luxury Atlantis The Royal hotel in Dubai while visiting Steph.
Mark is the father of three sons – Tyler, Joel and Luke – from a previous relationship.
Steph previously dated former soldier Dane Christison, who she met in an Australian church.
They vacationed together in the United States over Christmas 2023, but just months later in May 2024, she publicly announced their separation.
Stephanie had previously deleted images of her boyfriend from her Instagram page in March and had not mentioned him for a few weeks.
The sportswoman later said she was happy their relationship had ended.
The swimming legend, 36, took to Instagram on Thursday to confirm the jovial news, just weeks after she first went public with her and Mark’s romance in July.
“When I moved, I really wanted to share more of the journey with you in real time,” she said.
“I just went through the deepest healing. I was in a very challenging relationship at the time, when we broke up I felt the peace of God resting on me. It felt like I felt free. I felt happy.
At the time, Stephanie said her new life in Dubai had lifted a weight off her shoulders.
‘For the first time I realized the heaviness I was carrying. “I just felt like it was all coming off of me, and I feel like I’m in this amazing place now where I feel so happy and content,” she said.
‘God is so good. “I see so much fruit from the amazing things God has given me, and I want to be able to share much more of what has happened over the past six months,” she said.
‘Now that I have much more clarity, much more peace and much more happiness.’