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An Australian family court annulled a marriage after the bride claimed she thought the ceremony was a social media prank staged by the groom to boost his Instagram following. The October judgment, made public recently, declared the December 2023 marriage void after the bride, 24, argued she never truly consented.
The couple, who met on a dating platform in September 2023, both hailed from the same country but kept their identities confidential for legal reasons. According to court documents, the groom, a social media influencer with over 17,000 followers, invited the bride to Sydney for a “white party.” When she arrived, she was surprised to discover it was actually a wedding he had organized.
In her affidavit, the bride explained that she felt pressured to stay after initially wanting to leave. She testified that the groom assured her the event was a “prank” for his Instagram content, convincing her to play along. She also consulted a friend, who assured her a marriage wouldn’t be valid without prior legal documentation, which put her at ease.
The groom disputed the bride’s account, claiming the marriage was legitimate. He said she had accepted his proposal, which she did not deny, but she clarified that she did not expect to marry just two days later. The bride also stated that cultural norms required her parents’ presence or approval, neither of which occurred.
The court examined video evidence of the ceremony, which showed the couple exchanging vows. The judge noted that while the bride’s words did not indicate hesitation, she later explained in cross-examination that “we had to act to make it look real.”
Further investigation revealed that the groom had filed a notice of intention to marry in November 2023 and hired a celebrant over a month before proposing. The bride’s lack of family or friends at the event further supported her claim.
The bride only learned the marriage was legal in February 2024 when the groom, who was seeking refugee status, asked to be added as a dependent on her application for permanent residency.
The judge concluded that, on balance, the bride believed she was participating in a social media event rather than a legally binding ceremony. The court declared the marriage null and void, highlighting the unusual circumstances, including the rushed timeline and absence of cultural or familial involvement.
Source: Business Insider
