Senator Sarah Hanson-Young marries during the busy election campaign

South Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young took the weekend off during the busy election campaign to marry her ‘best friend’ in front of 80 guests.

On Saturday Ms Hanson-Young, 40, and Ben Oquist, the executive director The Australia Institute, wed at Lobethal Road Wines – less than an hour north-east of Adelaide.

Due to Covid border restrictions, the two families were unable to meet in person until the big day.

Ms Hanson-Young donned a stunning strapless lace dress by Adelaide designer Alexis George.

Friends, family and colleagues attended the wedding, including Greens senate candidate Barbra Pocock, former Greens leader Bob Brown and member for Sydney Alex Greenwich.

‘Because of Covid, my side of the family, the family who live in Victoria and Ben’s side of the family who live in New South Wales haven’t actually met until now, so it’s a lovely bringing together of the two families,’ Ms Hanson-Young told The Advertiser. 

Ms Hanson-Young donned a stunning strapless lace dress by Adelaide designer Alexis George

‘We’ve been friends for a long time and as the pandemic was hitting we kind of fell in love and it just happened,’ Ms Hanson-Young said.

‘It was this beautiful transition from friendship into something more intimate and I feel like I am marrying my best friend. We just both feel so lucky.’  

Mr Oquist proposed earlier this year while the pair were celebrating Ms Hanson-Young’s 40th birthday on Kangaroo Island. 

The political couple were dating for more than two years before announcing their engagement.