First gay couple to be married southwest of Gold Coast after legislation passes
THESE Aussies same-sex couples may be the first to marry on the Gold and Tweed Coasts on January 9. Read their love stories here.
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THESE Aussie same-sex couples may be the first to marry on the Gold and Tweed Coasts on January 9. Read their love stories here.
Love at first click
WHEN the clock finally strikes one past midnight on January 9, Luke Sullivan and Craig Burns will be one of the first gay couples legally married in Australia.
The wedding will be held at the Summergrove Estate, in the Tweed Coast Hinterland.
“We were contacted by some friends looking to throw the first same-sex wedding,” Mr Sullivan said, adding daylight saving meant they would be among the first same-sex couples to be married in Australia under new legislation passed just last week in parliament.
Fifty-five friends and family will join the couple on the night with a photo shoot the previous afternoon, followed by a garden party until 11.30pm.
And just after midnight, the pair will seal the deal in a ceremony complete with fairy lights and fireworks after they say “I do.”
Mr Sullivan said their guests weren’t bothered with the midnight timeslot, with most saying it was “really romantic and sweet” as they were keen to be a part of Australian history.
The retail worker said being able to get married was a victory for not just gay couples, but those who had supported them for equality.
“I think it first hit us both when the results of the plebiscite came back, we’ve been so busy we haven’t had time to sit down and think,” he said.
“Craig had a bit of a cry in the car and was greeted by teary-eyed colleagues (at work).
“I think it’s just the security, the official meaning that we’re equal. The most special thing would be to have my mother walking me down the aisle, she’s my biggest hero.”
Mr Sullivan said he and Craig, a Commonwealth Games sprinter, met online almost three years ago and just two days after meeting “couldn’t stand being apart.”
He said he had never thought much about marriage until he attended his sister’s wedding and realised he might never get to marry the man he loved.
Craig proposed to Mr Sullivan at their favourite secluded spot in Byron Bay nine months ago.
Celebrant Sarah May Alexander, who will marry the couple, said under the previous Marriage Act, she had to read out: “Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life”.
She said the Act now reflected a “union of two people.”
Many local businesses have supported the couple in their union, donating goods, services and their time to support the same-sex wedding.
Ready, set, ‘I do’
Zoe Nolan and Michelle Edwards may be two of the first women to be married on the Gold Coast.
While some same-sex couples have nabbed the midnight timeslot on January 9, the Cabarita Beach locals have opted for a sunrise wedding at Point Danger.
A number of local wedding vendors have offered their services for free for the wedding including Gold Coast marriage celebrant Shane Vincent, photographer Leigh Warner, videographer Motion Art, wedding stylist Beautiful Weddings, hair salon Studio Eleven, Meraki Beauty Collective and florist Florals and Co.
For Ms Nolan, 38, and Ms Edwards, 46, being able to legally wed is a day they never thought would come.
“We had discussed going to Vegas to be married by Elvis as we never thought it would ever be possible to be married in Australia,” Ms Nolan, who played soccer for the Matildas, said.
When it came to proposal there was a discussion after the bill passes and then Ms Nolan found a “will you marry me” sign on the front door when she returned home from work.
“ ... Of course I said yes,” Ms Nolan said.
“We actually didn’t realise how much it would mean to not only ourselves but our family and friends to finally have equality on something that is so universal, love.
“We are so grateful for all vendors (see the list below) who have offered their time and given us this great gift and are supporting us through our special day.
“The Gold Coast is a great destination for all couples to be married.
“We have the best beaches, the hinterland, the weather, it ticks all the boxes. Ms Edwards added.
“We love it that much we are getting married at sunrise where you can see all Gold Coast beaches to the north and NSW beaches to the south.”
The ladies have not purchased their wedding attire yet but Ms Nolan is thinking of wearing a dress and Ms Edwards is swaying towards pants and a top.
“Initially it was going to be a small elopement but all of our family and friends that we have spoken with so far are coming and everyone is so excited for us,” Ms Edwards said.
“We thought with the short time frame (30 days) that not a lot of people would be able to come but that has not been the case so far.
“We still haven’t finalised our invitation list but we are thinking around 50 people.
“We have family coming from Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Tamworth and Toowoomba.”
The couple has been together for 11 years after meeting at the Noosa Triathlon
“We went out with friends that night and had our first kiss at the end of the night, but that was it for a while. A few months later it became more serious,” Ms Nolan said.
When asked what they love most about each other Ms Edwards said: “love how respectful, honest, understanding and easy going Zoe is, we both get along so well together.
“Michelle is my best friend, we have the best life together. We have so much in common and love just spending time together. I think we really complement each other. I love Michelle’s sense of humour, caring nature and she makes me feel safe,” Ms Nolan added.
The pair will be married at 6.30am at Point Danger, Coolangatta on January 9.
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