In brief
In an unusual case, a Melbourne judge annulled the marriage, asserting that the woman was duped into participating in a legitimate ceremony without her knowledge.
The article text:In a bizarre incident unfolding in Australia, a woman has successfully annulled her marriage after it was revealed that a supposed Instagram stunt was genuinely a wedding. The Melbourne-based bride was misled by her partner, a social media influencer, who orchestrated the ceremony as a prank for his followers. The shocking revelation came when the man attempted to utilize their union to acquire permanent residency status in Australia.The case began in September 2023 when the woman first encountered her now ex-partner on a dating site. Their relationship blossomed with frequent meet-ups in Melbourne, leading to a proposal in December of the same year, which she accepted eagerly. Just two days later, the couple traveled to Sydney for what she believed would be a themed "white party." Advised to wear a white dress, the bride was bewildered upon arrival, finding no guests other than her partner, a photographer, a friend of the photographer, and a celebrant. In court documents, she expressed disbelief as her partner revealed the event was a "prank wedding" intended to generate content for his Instagram account, as he sought to boost his follower engagement.Despite initial concerns, she decided to go along with the ceremony, thinking it was merely for show, supported by reassurances from a friend who dismissed her worries. Little did she know that the vows exchanged during this so-called prank would have real legal implications. It was not until two months later that the reality of their situation hit her; her partner suggested that she include him as a dependent in her application for permanent residency. When she explained that they were not married in a legal sense, he then disclosed that the ceremony they had participated in was, in fact, legitimate. Adding to her distress, the woman discovered a marriage certificate and a notice of intended marriage had been filed prior to their Sydney trip—without her genuine consent, as she claimed her signature on the document appeared significantly different from her own. Expressing her outrage, she noted that she felt tricked from the onset and was deeply upset about the deceitful nature of the situation. Meanwhile, her partner contended in court that both parties agreed to the arrangement, portraying the ceremony as an intimate celebration.However, the judge ruled in favor of the woman, stating that she was mistaken about the nature of the event and had not provided valid consent to the marriage. Citing her understanding of the proceedings as merely a performance, the judge annulled the marriage in October 2024, marking an end to a uniquely unfortunate series of events.
