A Melbourne court annulled a marriage after the bride testified that she believed the ceremony was a social media stunt orchestrated by the groom to boost his Instagram following, according to a report.
In September 2023, the bride, in her mid-20s, met the groom, in his mid-30s, on a dating app, the Guardian reported.
After three months of staying in touch, in December, she was invited to what she thought was a "white party" in Sydney. Upon arrival, she was shocked to discover it was a wedding.
The groom assured her it was a "prank" for social media content, but she later learned the ceremony was legally binding when he requested to be added to her permanent residency application, revealing his own lack of residency status.
"When I got there, and I didn't see anybody in white, I asked him, 'What's happening?'" the woman said. "He told me that he's organising a prank wedding for his social media. To be precise, Instagram, because he wants to boost his content and wants to start monetising his Instagram page."
In court, the bride testified that she participated in the ceremony under the belief it was staged, while the groom argued it was an intimate prelude to a formal wedding.
The judge dismissed the groom's claims, citing inconsistencies such as his pre-signed notice of intent to marry and the absence of the bride's family and friends.
Video footage of the event, which appeared genuine, was deemed an act to maintain the appearance of the "prank."
In October 2024, the court annulled the marriage, upholding the bride's account and rejecting the groom's version of events.
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