Same-sex couples rejoiced as the new Australian Marriage Act officially came into effect – and some made a mad dash to the alter to become some of the first in the country to legally wed.
Lesbian partners Teegan Daly and her new wife Mahatia ‘Tie’ Minniecon held their nuptials at midnight in a stunning ceremony in Melbourne on January 9.
The pair said ‘I do’ following a cocktail party which began at 9pm at urban bar Ferdyduke and ran until one minute past midnight, when they officially locked lips as wife-and-wife.
Lesbian partners Teegan Daly (right) and her new wife Mahatia ‘Tie’ Minniecon held their nuptials at midnight in a stunning ceremony in Melbourne on January 9
The pair said ‘I do’ following a cocktail party which began at 9pm at urban bar Ferdyduke and ran until one minute past midnight, when they officially locked lips as wife-and-wife
Overjoyed guests partied until 3am to celebrate the union of Teegan and Mahatia in an event which was a long time coming.
The couple already held a commitment ceremony in 2016 at a time when they didn’t know if Australia would ever recognise them as legally married.
‘When we had our commitment ceremony, we didn’t know when it was going to be legal, so we decided to call it our wedding,’ Teegan told the Australian Financial Review.
‘Now that it is actually legal, it means we will just be the same as everybody else.’
Overjoyed guests partied until 3am to celebrate the union of Teegan and Mahatia in an event which was a long time coming
‘When we had our commitment ceremony, we didn’t know when it was going to be legal, so we decided to call it our wedding,’ said Teegan told the Australian Financial Review.
The couple already held a commitment ceremony in 2016 (pictured) at a time when they didn’t know if Australia would ever recognise them as legally married
Some of the cost of Teegand and Mahatia’s ceremony was covered by a number of wedding suppliers who were happy to help put together the historic nuptials.
For the stunning occasion, Teegan opted for a glittering gold jumpsuit while Mahatia decided for a more traditional white gown.
The ladies invited 40 friends and family members but also left an open invitation to the Melbourne public.
Newlyweds Luke Sullivan and Craig Burns were also one of the first to tie the knot in Queensland during a touching night-time ceremony which saw the pair exchange vows exactly one minute after the law came into effect.
Newlyweds Luke Sullivan (left) and Craig Burns (right) were one of the first to tie the knot in Queensland during a touching night-time ceremony which saw the pair exchange vows exactly one minute after the law came into effect
The couple (pictured) tied the knot at one minute past midnight in a midnight ceremony in front of 55 friends and family members
The athletes married in a beautiful ceremony at the Summergrove Estate, in the Tweed Coast Hinterland, at 12am in front of 55 family members and friends
Daylight savings and the time difference meant the grooms were one of the first couples in the country to officially be recognised as married under Australian law
The athletes married in a beautiful ceremony at the Summergrove Estate, in the Tweed Coast Hinterland, at 12am in front of 55 family members and friends.
Daylight savings and the time difference meant the grooms were one of the first couples in the country to officially be recognised as married under Australian law.
‘It’s a very surreal feeling,’ an emotional Craig said in the lead-up to the event.
In a reverse-style wedding event, the couple hosted a pre-ceremony reception until 11.30pm when their marriage was officiated under a backdrop of fireworks.
It is a dream both Craig and Luke – who met online three years ago – thought may never become a reality.
‘It’s a very surreal feeling,’ an emotional Craig (pictured left with partner Luke) said in the lead-up to the event
In a reverse-style wedding event, the couple hosted a pre-ceremony reception until 11.30pm when their marriage was officiated under a backdrop of fireworks
It is a dream both Craig (right) and Luke (left) – who met online three years ago – thought may never become a reality
‘I couldn’t help but have this thought, ‘I might not have this opportunity’,’ Luke (left) told 7news before his wedding
The accomplished athletes became engaged in March 2016 after a touching proposal set on the rocks in Byron Bay, NSW, with both men dressed in Speedos as Craig popped the question on one knee
‘I couldn’t help but have this thought, ‘I might not have this opportunity’,’ Luke told 7news before his wedding.
The accomplished athletes became engaged in March 2016 after a touching proposal set on the rocks in Byron Bay, NSW, with both men dressed in Speedos as Craig popped the question on one knee.
Their $50,000 nuptials were gifted by businesses across the state who donated their services towards one of the first legal same-sex weddings.
Craig, a sprinter, hopes to qualify for the next Commonwealth Games and will represent Queensland at the 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay in March.
Their $50,000 nuptials were gifted by businesses across the state who donated their services towards one of the first legal same-sex weddings
Craig, (right) a sprinter, hopes to qualify for the next Commonwealth Games and will represent Queensland at the 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay in March
Australian Commonwealth Games sprinter Craig Burns (left) and fiance Luke Sullivan (right) embrace before their marriage ceremony
Craig and Luke (pictured left) pose in a photobooth ahead of their marriage ceremony at Summergrove Estate
The happy couple waited nearly two years after their engagement for the new Australian Marriage Act to come into effect
Australian Commonwealth Games sprinter Craig (left) and Luke (right) pose ahead of their marriage ceremony at Summergrove Estate, New South Wales on January 8, 2018
Craig (right) and Luke (left) are congratulated by friends after exchanging vows at their marriage ceremony
The accomplished athletes became engaged in March 2016 after a touching proposal set on the rocks in Byron Bay, NSW, with both men dressed in tiny Speedos as Craig (left) bent down on one knee
It is a dream both Craig (left) and Luke (right) – who met online three years ago – thought may never become a reality
Amid scenes of jubilation same-sex couples were quick to lodge formal intentions to wed and while some were granted exemptions to the four-week waiting period, Tuesday is the first official day ceremonies can take place.
In Newcastle, 32-year-old Rebecca Hickson will marry her partner of nine years Sarah Turnbull, 34.
The pair said they wanted to be part of history and planned to also be one of the first couples to tie the knot in a ceremony from 8am.
‘We’ve already had our big hoo-ha ceremony three years ago but now we get to declare our love for each other again and have it recognised as a real union,’ Rebecca said.
Pictured is Craig and Luke’s official marriage certificate which was legally recognised on January 9
The loving couple celebrated well into the night after exchanging vows at one minute past midnight
Newlywed Luke Sullivan (pictured) is embraced by his mother in law Robyn Burns before his midnight ceremony
The couple’s (pictured) athletic aspirations will delay their honeymoon until the end of the year
Australian Commonwealth Games sprinter Craig (left)) and Luke (right) walk together before their marriage ceremony at Summergrove Estate
Craig Burns is walked down the aisle by his mother Robyn before his marriage ceremony in Queensland
She described the build-up to the postal vote deadline as ‘a horrible time’ but said the two are now excited to move beyond it.
Melbourne couple Ron Van Houwelingen, 50, and Antony McManus, 53, echoed Ms Hickson’s feelings about the postal vote and said no country should have to endure the same ‘horrendous’ process to legalise gay marriage.
On Tuesday, the long-time activists will also look forward and tie the knot where they first met as performing arts students three decades ago – at the former Prahran College of TAFE’s David Williamson Theatre.
Gillian Brady and Lisa Goldsmith pose after the wedding ceremony at The Court on January 9, 2018 in Perth, Australia
Lisa Goldsmith and Gillian Brady embrace during their touching wedding ceremony at The Court on Tuesday
Lisa Goldsmith and Gillian Brady during the wedding ceremony at The Court on January 9, 2018 in Perth, Australia
The loving couple waited years to finally tie the know after the Australian Marriage Act was finally changed
‘I’m looking really forward to celebrating the victory,’ Ron said.
The two have already held more than a dozen commitment ceremonies, including in 1993 on their sixth anniversary when gay marriage ‘wasn’t on the radar’.
‘I suppose it’s been a wedding planned for 30 years but we’ve had really a month to get things together,’ he added
‘It’s been quite hectic trying to organise that in such a short amount of time.
The couple decided to tie the knot the day the Marriage Act was officially changed on January 9
Couples across Australia wed in midnight ceremonies as the Australian Marriage Act legalising same-sex marriage took effect on January 9
In an historic moment for the Australian gay community and following a powerful campaign, many same-sex couples signed their names on marriage certificates during spectacular midnight nuptials on January 9
Same-sex couple Lisa Goldsmith and Gillian Brady also took the opportunity to wed on January 9 in a touching ceremony at The Court.
The Perth brides married in front of a small group of friends and family with Gillian dressed in a dapper suit while Lisa chose a beautiful white dress.
Sarah Turnbull and Rebecca Hickson were quick to exchange vows too and married in a beautiful ceremony in Newcastle, Tuesday, January 9, 2018.
Today is the first official day same-sex marriage ceremonies can take place in Australia after legislation was passed in parliament in December
Sarah Turnbull (left) and Rebecca Hickson pose for a photograph with their Certificate of Marriage after being married in a ceremony in Newcastle, Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Today is the first official day same-sex marriage ceremonies can take place in Australia after legislation was passed in parliament in December
Sarah Turnbull and Rebecca Hickson were quick to exchange vows too and married in a beautiful ceremony in Newcastle, Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Rebecca Hickson (left) and Sarah Turnbull (right) married in a ceremony in Newcastle, Australia
Both brides opted to wear stunning white gowns during their historic wedding on the day the Marriage Act was changed
Pictured is the loved-up pair posing with their marriage certificate after being wed in a touching ceremony