In a bizarre case that recently concluded in an Australian Family Court, a young woman’s “prank wedding” turned out to be a real marriage. The court annulled the union after the woman claimed her husband tricked her into the marriage to boost his Instagram following.
The unnamed woman, who met her partner in September 2023 on a dating app, recounted the series of events that led to the unexpected marriage. The couple, based in Melbourne, began dating and were seemingly in a steady relationship. In December of the same year, the man invited her to a “white party” in Sydney and asked her to bring a white dress to fit the theme.
Upon arriving at the event, the woman was surprised to find no party guests other than her partner, a photographer, and a marriage officiant.
When she questioned the unusual setup, her partner admitted that he had planned a staged wedding as a social media stunt. He explained that the fake ceremony would create content for his Instagram account, which he hoped to monetize.
Initially skeptical, the woman contacted a friend for advice. Her friend assured her there was no risk of a real marriage without signed documents. Convinced, she agreed to play the bride. Video evidence presented in court showed her enthusiastically exchanging vows and kisses, fully playing the part.
Two months later, the man requested to be added as a dependant in her permanent residency application for Australia. Suspicious, she refused, stating they were not legally married. That’s when she discovered he had secretly filed a notice of intended marriage with a falsified signature weeks before their trip.
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In court, the woman expressed anger and betrayal, stating she never consented to a real marriage. Her partner, a man in his late 30s, contested her account, claiming he proposed the day before the ceremony and that she willingly participated. He also alleged they lived together after their relationship began, but evidence showed they maintained separate residences.
The court dismissed the man’s claims, pointing out inconsistencies, such as the decision to hold the wedding in Sydney rather than Melbourne, where they both lived, and the absence of friends or family at the event.
In October 2024, the Family Court annulled the marriage. The judge concluded that the woman believed she was acting in a staged ceremony, emphasizing her efforts to enhance the credibility of the video.
