Marriage equality advocate Tim Wilson MP has wed long-term partner Ryan Bolger in a surprise wedding ceremony at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne, Victoria.
The wedding, secret until Mr Wilson announced it publicly on social media Sunday, was warmly received by the media and political elite on Sunday.
Mr Wilson, a Liberal, proposed during the same-sex marriage debate in what was parliament’s first ever marriage proposal.
Liberal MP Tim Wilson (left) and his partner Ryan Bolger married at Victoria’s Royal Botanic Gardens.
Mr Wilson posted news of the wedding, one day before his 38th birthday, on Twitter and Facebook.
‘The 11th of March is a special day. It’s the day after @rpbolger’s birthday. The day before mine. And now and forever it is our wedding anniversary. #BolgerWilson2018,’ Mr Wilson wrote.
Mr Bolger, also delighted with the wedding news, also posted photos to both Instagram and Twitter.
The long-time same-sex marriage advocate asked long-term partner Mr Bolger to marry him soon after the lower house started to debate a private bill.
Mr Wilson is pictured hugging fellow MP Trent Zimmerman MP during the same-sex marriage debate in Parliament
‘In my first speech I defined our bond by the ring that sits on both of our left hands,’ Mr Wilson said.
‘They are the answer to the question we cannot ask.
‘So there’s only one thing left to do; Ryan Patrick Bolger, will you marry me?’ Mr Wilson asked at the time, fighting back tears at the end of an emotional speech.
Mr Bolger replied with a loud ‘yes’ from the gallery, to cheers and claps.
The happy couple met in 2004, exchanged rings in 2010 and were granted permission to marry when same-sex marriage was legalised in December 2017.
Mr Wilson, pictured left, and Mr Bolger, looked happy as they posed for a photo in Victoria
Members of Parliament and the media congratulated the couple on Sunday night.
Federal MP Julia Banks said: ‘Warmest congratulations to you both. Such a wonderful time in your lives. Wishing you a life together filled with love, happiness, good health, fun times and great friends.’
Meanwhile Independent MP Rebekha Sharkie said ‘told you us lovely ladies on the cross-bench can keep a secret.’
Mr Wilson announced his wedding to his long-term partner on social media – news which was warmly received by the media and politicians
Mr Wilson is believed to be the first MP to ever propose in Parliament