Same-sex couples across Australia are "over the moon" as they tie the knot on the first official day of marriage equality, once again celebrating the result of a hard-fought campaign.
One of the first ceremonies in NSW took place overnight near Tweed Heads, where athletes Craig Burns and Luke Sullivan timed their proceedings so their marriage would become official minutes after midnight.
"It's a very surreal feeling," Craig told AAP in the lead-up to the event.
The pair first met three years ago and said they fell in love "straight away" before Craig popped the question at Byron Bay in March.
Same-sex marriage legislation cleared parliament on December 7, nearly a month after it was revealed 61.6 per cent of participants in a voluntary postal survey backed the change.
Amid scenes of jubilation, same-sex couples were quick to lodge formal intentions to wed and while some were granted exemptions to the four-week waiting period, Tuesday marks the first official day ceremonies can take place.
In Sydney, two fathers finally got to walk their daughters down the aisle as long-time loves Casey Capple and Penny-Marie Mackenzie-Smith said "I do".
"I'm sure they thought they probably would never get to," Casey told AAP on Tuesday.
The pair has been together for five years and shared their wedding day with their two daughters Brooklyn, three, and Hadley, aged six-months.
In a more low-key ceremony also in Sydney, Tahleah Wood married Leah Houlden, making their commitment official on paper after committing to each other in March.
The couple is expecting their first child in April and were keen to get the legalities out of the way before things get "too crazy".
"It's just confirmation that our relationship is just as equal every other relationship," Leah told AAP.
In Newcastle, 32-year-old Rebecca Hickson is now officially married to her partner of nine years Sarah Turnbull, 34.
The pair also wanted to be part of history as one of the first couples to wed, doing so in a ceremony at 8am.
"We have a real certificate - it feels amazing," Rebecca told AAP after the ceremony.
"We are wife and wife."
The pair, who had a "big hoo-ha" commitment ceremony three years ago, was more than happy to declare their love for each other again "legally".
"It's not just a commitment ceremony, now we are legally married so it's recognised by everyone," a jubilant Sarah said after the ceremony.
"We are over the moon."
Rebecca described the build-up to the postal vote deadline as "a horrible time", but said the two are now excited to move beyond it.
Melbourne couple Ron Van Houwelingen, 50, and Antony McManus, 53, echoed Ms Hickson's feelings about the postal vote and said no country should have to endure the same "horrendous" process to legalise gay marriage.
The long-time activists will marry on Tuesday afternoon where they first met as performing arts students three decades ago - at the former Prahran College of TAFE's David Williamson Theatre.
The pair has already held more than a dozen commitment ceremonies, including in 1993 on their sixth anniversary when gay marriage "wasn't on the radar".
Relentless equality campaigner Magda Szubanski tweeted her excitement on Tuesday.
"Congratulations to all the LGBTQI people who are getting married today, I am so thrilled ... we have all waited so long for this wonderful day."
Labor leader Bill Shorten also tweeted, "To every couple tying the knot today and in days to come, congrats from Chloe and I. The wait is finally over. #loveislove".
