Two female couples tied the knot in Australiasa国际传媒檚 first same-sex weddings under new legislation allowing gay marriages.

Jan. 9 had been expected to be the first possible date for same-sex weddings due to a four-week waiting period since the landmark law was passed. But the two couples were married in Sydney and Melbourne on Saturday after being granted permission to waive the notice period.

Lauren Price, 31, and Amy Laker, 29, exchanged vows in Sydney because their families had to travel from Wales in the U.K. to attend what was to have been their commitment ceremony.

Amy and Elise McDonald sa国际传媒� who coincidentally already had the same last name sa国际传媒� were given an exemption to marry in Melbourne since their relatives also had flown in from overseas.

West Australian couple Anne Sedgwick and Lyn Hawkins were due to wed on Sunday after being together for 40 years. They were given dispensation as Hawkins, 85, is in the final stages of her battle against ovarian cancer.

sa国际传媒淎nne has been very supportive through all this and marrying her, itsa国际传媒檚 Annesa国际传媒檚 way of saying sa国际传媒楲etsa国际传媒檚 finally do this,sa国际传媒檚a国际传媒� Hawkins told website Perth Now.

On Monday, Cas Willow, 53, and Heather Richards, 56, will marry in Melbourne. Willow is receiving treatment for breast cancer, which has spread to her brain.

The couple, who have been together for 17 years, say marriage will make their last precious few weeks or days together sa国际传媒渃omplete.sa国际传媒�

sa国际传媒淚t means our relationship wonsa国际传媒檛 just be tolerated, it will be accepted,sa国际传媒� Richards said.

Trevor Marshallsea, The Associated Press

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