{"id":276545,"date":"2020-02-14T05:12:43","date_gmt":"2020-02-13T18:12:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/au\/pro-education\/aussie-first-same-sex-couple-crowned-australian-wedding-of-the-year\/"},"modified":"2020-02-14T05:12:43","modified_gmt":"2020-02-13T18:12:43","slug":"aussie-first-same-sex-couple-crowned-australian-wedding-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"au-pro-education","link":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/pro-education\/aussie-first-same-sex-couple-crowned-australian-wedding-of-the-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Aussie First: same-sex couple crowned Australian Wedding of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

The annual competition has found its 2019 winners.<\/p>\n

\"wedding<\/a>
Image courtesy of Corey Wright.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

14 February, 2020:<\/strong> The 2019 Wedding of the Year has been announced on the most romantic day of the year, and it\u2019s an Australian first.<\/p>\n

Daniel and Michael from Melbourne have become the first same-sex couple in Australia to be given the title of Wedding of the Year. Their big day beat out 11 other couples in the final stages of voting and campaigning.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt feels pretty amazing to be the first same-sex couple to take the crown for a wedding of the year prize,\u201d Daniel says.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo other same-sex marriage globally has been recognised for this type of award and we think it\u2019s such a brilliant way to break down misconceptions and stereotypes around what a traditional wedding should look like.\u201d<\/p>\n

The couple doesn\u2019t just win the title of Australia\u2019s best wedding in 2019. They\u2019ll also be heading on an all-inclusive honeymoon to the Maldives thanks to Heritance Aarah<\/a> and Easy Weddings.<\/a><\/p>\n

Daniel and Michael\u2019s wedding was held at Metropolis Events in Southbank. Their big day hosted a stunning abstract floral arbour, fireworks and lots of confetti. Corey Wright Photographer captured everything perfectly and they even had Real Housewives of Melbourne\u2019s Gina Liano as their celebrant.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne thing we always promised each other was that we were going to do our wedding our way. We wanted to treat our guests, as our way of saying thank you for the many years of love, support and friendship.\u201d<\/p>\n

The announcement marks a first for Australia which has only recognised same-sex marriages since December 2017. According to the most recent stats from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, same-sex weddings made up 5.5% of marriages in Australia in 2018.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were hesitant to share our story initially, but we have been so overwhelmed with the public support. It has been amazing,\u201d says Daniel.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve received so many amazing messages of support. From \u2018to be couples\u2019, parents of gay
\nchildren and people who might have been on the fence about same-sex marriage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s truly been an amazing journey, and we feel we have made a real difference by sharing our story.\u201d<\/p>\n

ENDS\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Media contact<\/h3>\n

For interviews with the winning couple and more images please contact:<\/p>\n

Elise James<\/p>\n

Easy Weddings<\/p>\n

media@easyweddings.com.au<\/p>\n

About the Wedding of the Year competition<\/h3>\n

The Wedding of the Year prize is announced on Valentine\u2019s Day every year by Easy Weddings, Australia\u2019s largest wedding website and directory. A selection of 12 nominees are decided every month and the winner of each month receives the highest number of votes.<\/p>\n

The winners of each month then go into the final round for the Wedding of the Year prize where the winner is decided on a combination of votes and campaigning.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s prize is a 6 nights all-inclusive accommodation package at one of the Maldives\u2019 newest luxury resorts, Heritance Aarah. The couple will receive 6 nights in an ocean villa with a plunge pool, 24-hour butler service, all meals and beverages (including alcohol), a complimentary introduction dive and return airport transfers by seaplane. They\u2019ll also receive $2,500 cash from Easy Weddings to put towards flights and other travel expenses.
\nEasy Weddings is Australia\u2019s number one wedding website and the largest resource for couples planning their wedding in Australia.<\/p>\n

All images of Daniel and Michael\u2019s wedding should be credited to Corey Wright.<\/a><\/p>\n

Video courtesy of TRUE STORY Wedding Films.<\/a><\/p>\n