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In a case that highlights the intersection of social media and personal relationships, a Melbourne court has annulled the marriage of a couple after the bride testified that she thought their wedding was a staged event intended to boost the groom’s Instagram following.
The couple’s union, which took place in December 2023, has since been declared invalid by the Family Court of Australia. The bride, who has remained anonymous due to legal reasons, claimed she was misled into believing the ceremony was part of a “prank” to enhance the groom’s online presence, rather than a legitimate wedding.
The groom, in his 30s, met the bride, who is in her 20s, on a dating app in the weeks leading up to their marriage. After a few months of dating, the groom invited her to what she believed was a “white party” in Sydney. However, upon arrival, the bride was taken aback to learn that the event was actually a wedding, with the groom explaining it was for his Instagram—a stunt designed to increase his social media following and monetization efforts.
Testifying in court, the bride said the groom reassured her that it was all part of a social media content plan, specifically targeting his Instagram audience. “He told me it was a prank, just a bit of fun for his followers,” she explained. “I didn’t think for a second that it was anything serious. I thought it was just another one of those viral trends.”
Despite her confusion, the bride continued with the ceremony, under the assumption that it held no legal weight. There were no close friends or family in attendance, only a photographer and an assistant. At the time, she even called a friend, who advised her that a legal marriage required official paperwork—reassuring her that the event was unlikely to be official.
It wasn’t until months later, in February 2024, that the bride learned the truth: the marriage was real, and the groom was trying to leverage their union to expedite his permanent residency application in Australia. This revelation left her “furious” and feeling completely betrayed.
The case has prompted the court to explore the complexity of consent in the digital age. Justice Joshua Wilson ruled that the bride had been misled into thinking the wedding was nothing more than a social media stunt. In his judgment, he questioned how a wedding could be arranged so quickly, with a notice of intended marriage filed a month before the couple even got engaged. He also noted that the bride, who held strong religious beliefs, likely would have insisted on a church ceremony had she known the marriage was legitimate, further reinforcing that her consent was compromised.
The groom, who denied that the marriage was anything other than genuine, argued that they had lived together and were in a committed relationship. However, the court found discrepancies in his account, especially surrounding the rushed timeline of the event.
This unusual case has raised important questions about the blurring of reality and performance in today’s hyper-connected world. As social media continues to shape the way people interact, the case underscores the critical importance of transparency and mutual understanding in all relationships—particularly those that carry legal and emotional significance.
With the court annulling the marriage, this bizarre story serves as a cautionary tale for anyone navigating the complicated intersection of love, trust, and online influence.