Same-sex marriage also a win for suppliers

TODAY is the day — after an overwhelming Yes vote in last year’s postal survey, same-sex couples can legally marry in Australia. Here’s how Melburnians marked the day.

TODAY is the day.

After an overwhelming seven million eligible Aussies voted Yes in last year’s postal survey, same-sex couples can legally marry in Australia from today.

Many couples marked the occasion by tying the knot minutes after midnight, including Melbourne couple Diana and Deanne Ribeiro in Balaclava.

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About 60 guests watched the pair take their vows in the same place as their commitment ceremony five years earlier, according to SBS.

Meanwhile, another couple Teegan and Tie exchanged vows in the city’s first public same-sex marriage at 12.01am.

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The public ceremony was promoted on Facebook as open to “anyone who wants to see it happen” at the Ferdyduke in Tattersalls Lane.

Melbourne Cityside Celebrant Benn Stone performed his first same-sex union today, at 5.45am at the Grand Hyatt.

“I think it’s fantastic,” he said.

“Even though there’s an ­influx at the moment, there’s also a lot of people who are waiting to do a big proposal.”

“There will be a lot more weddings to come.”

Celebrant Sarah Aird has also been flooded with inquiries, and will perform her 215th union tonight, a same-sex couple tying the knot at Malvern.

“I’m thrilled. I already have six same-sex marriages book­ed,” Ms Aird said.

“I no longer have to have awkward conversations with people about why they can’t get married.”

Ms Aird is also officially wedding couples she had previously done commitment ceremonies for, free of charge.

Last month Amy and Elise McDonald became the first Victorian pair to unite under the new law.

Victoria’s first legal same sex wedding between Amy (dressed in black) and Elise McDonald in Carlton Gardens. Picture: Jason Edwards

The historic change to Australia’s marriage laws is alrea­dy a win for Victoria’s econ­omy, with wedding suppliers reporting a spike in inquiries and bookings.

Same-sex couples can marry in Australia from today, and the move is expected to ­inject $650 million and 8000 jobs into the economy.

He said he had been inundated with people wanting to book their weddings in the past few weeks.

Celebrations outside the State Library of Victoria following November’s Yes vote win. Picture: Getty Images

White Lily Couture creative director Alera Kingham-Evans said female couples had started shopping for wedding dresses before the Yes vote’s win.

“We have noticed more (same-sex) brides coming in together and separately to look at gowns,” she said.

“At the end of the day for us it doesn’t matter what your sexual preference is, whether you’re gay or straight.

“For us it’s just about showing any bride from anywhere that we have a gown for them, and we support marriage in any capacity.”

Mrs Kingham-Evans said inquiries from same-sex couples had been increasing.

“It certainly has become more noticeable now people are more comfortable and confident with the idea,” she said.

“And we’re really excited to see that people feel they have the right to do that and they have the opportunity to be just like every other bride.”

Your Travel Expert agent Craig Fyfe said he many same-sex couples were booking their honeymoons with him.

“It’s great to see it all happening,” he said.