Shelley + Kate | Polperro & Glass Merchants | Australia’s First Same Sex Wedding

Finally, it is legal for same sex couples to be married in Australia! Hooray! After the law was passed, couples had to register their intent to marry, and wait the usual 30 days before it could happen. Shelley + Kate, who had been planning their wedding for almost a year, applied for an exemption to the usual waiting period due to interstate guests travelling to the wedding. On the morning of their wedding, they told me their request had been approved, making them one of Australia’s first same sex couples to be legally wed on the 16th December 2017! I got goosebumps and became even more excited when I learned that they were keeping it a secret from their guests. The next night at their ‘after party’ reception, the emotion in the room when the guests were told, and witnessed their legal vows, was a moment I will never forget. I had trouble keeping my camera still through tears. Love is love and I love love.

Ceremony: Polperro, Red Hill  /  Reception: Glass Merchants  /  Kate’s hair and makeup: Makeup by Sophie Knox  /  Kate’s gown: Luci Di Bella  /  Shelley’s Makeup: Ashley Hopkins  /  Shelley’s Gown: Fairytales Bridal  /  Florist: Ivy and Twine  /  Celebrant: Michael Barnes  /  Cake: Perrillicious Cakes