A Melbourne couple's marriage has been annulled after the bride expressed in court that she believed their wedding was merely a social media stunt intended to enhance her groom's Instagram following.

The family court's judgment, released in October 2023, revealed that the woman, referred to as the applicant, was led to believe she was participating in a "prank wedding" orchestrated by her partner, who claimed to be a social media influencer (source: The Guardian). She described the incident as a "social media event" rather than a legal marriage.

The couple first met on a dating app in September 2023 and quickly entered a relationship. In December, the groom proposed, only for the bride to discover shortly after that, rather than a celebration, they were attending a wedding ceremony in Sydney after being told to dress in white for a "white party." Upon arrival, she was shocked to find nobody else present but a photographer and a celebrant (source: BBC). When she questioned her partner, he clarified that it was a prank intended for his Instagram, aiming to boost his content and profitability.

The groom, who has a following of over 17,000 Instagram users, argued in court that they had agreed to participate in an "intimate ceremony." However, the judge found the groom's account implausible (source: CNN). The court played video footage of the proceedings, where the bride appeared to be engaged, asserting that this was all an act to lend authenticity to the social media portrayal.

Complications arose when, months later, the groom asked the bride to include him as a dependent in her application for permanent residency—a move she initially thought impossible given her belief that they were not legally married. It was only then she uncovered the truth about their marriage's legal status. Annoyed and feeling deceived, she took to court to seek an annulment, stating she would never have proceeded with the ceremony had she known its legal implications.

Justice Joshua Wilson, presiding over the case, expressed disbelief at the rapid progression from engagement to marriage within just two days, suggesting that the lack of witnesses and familial presence strengthened the bride's case. The judge ruled that the woman was "mistaken about the nature of the ceremony performed" and concluded that her consent to marriage was not genuinely provided since she was under the impression it was a farce.

This case raises significant concerns surrounding consent and the validity of marriages conducted under deceptive circumstances, highlighting how social media has influenced personal relationships in unexpected ways.

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