'Fake' Instagram^® Wedding Was Real — Woman Finds Out Too Late!

A woman in Australia was shocked to learn that what she thought was a staged wedding for an Instagram^® prank was actually a legally binding marriage. The Melbourne resident participated in the ceremony believing it was part of a social media stunt orchestrated by her influencer partner, only to later find out that she had unknowingly tied the knot for real.

The woman met her partner, a social media influencer with over 17,000 followers, through an online dating platform in September 2023. Their relationship progressed quickly, and by December, he proposed. Just two days later, he invited her to what he described as a "white party" in Sydney, as reported by BBC, instructing her to wear a white dress.

The Wedding She Never Agreed To

Upon arrival at the event, she realized there were no other guests present, aside from a photographer, a friend of the photographer, and a celebrant. Confused, she confronted her partner, who reassured her that it was merely a prank for his Instagram page. Wanting to support his social media career, she reluctantly played along, believing that civil marriages were only valid if conducted in a court.

Feeling uneasy about the situation, she contacted a friend, who reassured her that a legally binding marriage would require filing a notice of intended marriage. That was enough for her to proceed with the ceremony, exchanging vows and even sharing a kiss for the camera.

The Truth Comes Out

The real shock came two months later, when her partner requested to be added as a dependent on her Australian permanent residency application. When she refused, insisting they were not legally married, he dropped the bombshell — revealing that their wedding in Sydney had been real.

Horrified, the woman discovered an official marriage certificate, as well as a notice of intended marriage filed a month before the event. The document contained a signature that she insisted was not hers. It appeared that the entire wedding had been meticulously planned long before the man had even proposed.

The Court's Verdict

Furious and feeling deceived, the woman took her case to court, seeking an annulment. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia ruled in her favor, stating that she had been mistaken about the nature of the ceremony and had not provided real consent to the marriage.

Justice Joshua Wilson, who presided over the case, expressed disbelief that an engagement and wedding could take place within a span of two days. He also noted inconsistencies in the groom's claim that the woman had agreed to a private wedding, considering that he had secured a wedding celebrant a full month before proposing.

The court annulled the marriage in October 2024, allowing the woman to move forward with her life free from the unwanted legal ties.

A Cautionary Tale in the Digital Age

This case highlights the potential dangers of social media culture, where influencers often blur the lines between entertainment and reality. It also serves as a reminder of the legal implications of ceremonies that may seem harmless at the moment but can carry unexpected consequences later.

As digital influencers continue to push boundaries for viral content, this case raises ethical questions about consent, deception, and the lengths some people will go to for online fame. For this Australian woman, what started as a playful stunt turned into a real-life nightmare — one she hopes no one else will have to endure.

References: Bride's Fury After Instagram Stunt Wedding Turns Out to Be Real | Court Annuls Marriage Because Bride Thought It Was Just an Instagram Stunt