The Bachelor 2017: Matty J chooses Laura Byrne as the winner

The Bachelor 2017 officially has a winner!

On Thursday night's finale, Matthew "Matty J" Johnson chose Laura Byrne as the woman he'd like to share the rest of his life with, and presented her with a diamond promise ring.

"I think about you every single day," an emotional Matty told her. "The only way I can describe how I feel towards you is - Laura, I love you." 

Laura - who was visibly relieved upon hearing those words - told Matty, "I love you too. I was so ready for you to break my heart."

The Sydney jewellery designer beat out runner-up Elise Stacy to win the 30-year-old Bachelor's heart.

Elise was understandably devastated to hear her feelings weren't reciprocated.

"I found something that was worth me opening up for and I thought that it was special. I thought that it was and clearly it was a one way street," she said. Right now I'm confused as to whether it was worth it. I want to be in love with a man who loves me back."

Laura's big win won't come as a surprise to die-hard fans of the show: In addition to her instant chemistry with marketing manager Matty, there have been numerous spoilers along the way that revealed Laura, 30, would be the last woman standing.

And a photo posted earlier today on the show's official Facebook account showing Laura in a white bridal-esque ensemble that convinced fans she was The One.

It is, however, highly likely that Matty may have also been swayed by the adorableness of Laura's three-legged rescue dog, Buster.