Gay couple tie knot in midnight nuptials
LUKE Sullivan and Craig Burns are sleeping in this morning after helping to create Australian history in the middle of the night.
The couple married at a minute past midnight in one of the nation’s first same-sex weddings.
Today is the first day samesex marriage couples can be married in Australia after legislation passed on December 8.
It followed a plebiscite in which 61.6 per cent of respondents voted “yes” to same-sex marriage.
Mr Sullivan and Mr Burns are among dozens of couples tying the knot today after filing a notice-of-intent to marry straight after it was legalised, which included a one-month waiting period.
Mr Sullivan said they had barely slept in the lead-up to the wedding as they were so excited.
“I haven’t had that feeling since Christmas as a kid,” he said. “We’ve been overwhelmed by support, even from strangers as well, messaging us on Instagram and saying ‘congratulations’.”
The pair wed at Summergrove Estate, just west of Tweed Heads, among close friends and family.
Their wedding included a garden party for their guests at SULLIVAN 55
eight o’clock last night, followed by a ceremony at midnight, complete with fireworks.
Mr Sullivan said while they were not going on a honeymoon, they would be renting a property where friends and family could join them in a pool party.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” he said, adding the pair would be back to work by Thursday. “I think it’s just securing our bond and relationship, and celebrating our next adventure.”
Gold Coast wedding venues and celebrants are already seeing the move to legalise same-sex marriage.
Local celebrant Sue Raward said she had met with three same-sex couples, including one transgender couple looking to get married.
“It has definitely increased my inquiry rates,” she said, adding the early-bird couples were trending towards more intimate ceremonies.
Sarah-May Alexander, the wedding celebrant of Mr Sullivan and Mr Burns, said she had a few weddings booked.
Beautiful Weddings coowner Justine Douglas said she had recorded a spike in wedding bookings with the passing of the legislation.
Eco Fellini Studio events co-ordinator Rehana Adcock had a number of inquiries with at least one gay couple booked in July. She said females traditionally made inquiries for weddings, but in the past few months she received calls from more men.
I HAVEN’T HAD THAT FEELING SINCE CHRISTMAS AS A KID