Court annuls marriage after Melbourne bride thought wedding was ‘sham’ to boost groom’s Instagram
- A Melbourne couple's marriage was annulled after the bride claimed she believed it was a social media event.
- The groom organized a wedding ceremony, presenting it as a prank to attract followers on Instagram.
- The case emphasizes the potential dangers of prioritizing social media over genuine personal connections.
In December 2023, in Australia, a marriage was annulled after a judge ruled that the bride was misled about the nature of her wedding. The bride, who met the groom on a dating app in September 2023, was invited to a 'white party' in Sydney, where she was surprised to discover that a wedding ceremony had been organized instead. The groom had claimed it was a harmless prank for his Instagram account, aiming to gain followers and monetize his content. After participating under the impression it was an act, the bride later learned that the wedding was legally binding when the groom asked her to add him as a dependent in her residency application. The judge found that the bride had not given real consent to marry, as she believed the entire event was staged for social media. This case highlights the blurred lines between personal experiences and social media portrayals, raising concerns about authenticity in intimate moments, such as weddings. The court's decision reflects an increasing scrutiny on the influence of social media in personal relationships, indicating that when social media and personal commitments intersect, the consequences can be profound and life-changing.