Australia's First Official Gay Marriage Has Taken Place
By : Emily Murray On : 16 Dec 2017 14:35
Australia's first official gay wedding took place today after a new marriage equality law passed earlier this month.
After a historic vote saw Australians say yes to allowing same-sex couples to marry, the government passed the new law on December 8.
A 30-day waiting period was placed on couples after they registered to marry meaning the first weddings were expected to take place on January 9.
However, some couples sought exemption due to their circumstances including Lauren Price, 31, and Amy Laker, 29, who became the first gay couple to legally marry in Australia.
Donning traditional white gowns, the couple said 'I do' as the sun shone down on them in Macarthur Park in Camden, south-west of Sydney.
Carrying matching bouquets of bright yellow sunflowers, Amy walked down the aisle accompanied by their dog.
The couple were originally planning a commitment ceremony at the British consulate in the country due to Lauren being from Wales in the UK.
However, once the law passed the two women sought exemption from the waiting period claiming that Lauren's family had already travelled to Sydney.
Meeting three years ago at a pub in Sydney, the couple became engaged a year later after Lauren proposed to Amy at the the top of the Eiffel Tower.
Lauren Price / Facebook
Surrounded by their friends and family, their special day looked both beautiful and tremendously fun with a cute sign telling guests to 'pick a seat and not a side as either way it's for a bride'.
Speaking to 9 News the pair said that they were delighted that the law had been passed in time for their wedding.
Amy said:
We just wanted it to be simple, and we had planned this for about 18 months..
This day was already planned anyway but it wasn't legal so it was great that it was passed through early.
Our hands were so sweaty. When she came back in and said she had good news I just started crying.
For us being legally married is more about automatically being next of kin, and also because we want children so it makes that clearer, this is my child's other mother, my wife.
The couple added that they plan to start a family next year.
Amy Laker / Facebook
On November 15 this year it was revealed that 61.6 per cent of Australians had voted in favour of allowing same-sex couples to wed in a historic poll.
The issue only went to a non-binding voluntary postal vote after a long and bitter debate about amending Australia's Marriage Act.
Once the announcement was made supporters took to the streets waving rainbow flags celebrating the result.
Amy and Lauren's wedding is the first of many Australia will see and we wish the couple the very best.
Brides seal deal with a kiss in Australia's first legal same-sex wedding