62 The applicant said in answer to questions put to her in cross-examination concerning photographs taken at the alleged ceremony in late December 2023 that the photographs were for social media purposes. She said the respondent was a social media influencer who posts a large amount of information to social media. She said the marriage was not real. She said the respondent told her that the alleged wedding ceremony was for social media publication. She gave the following evidence –
MR GRAY: And you don't think that's odd, that he's posting about a wedding, not saying anything about a prank? There was nothing in that caused you to suspect, at that point, that there was something more to it?---No, because he actually explained the whole thing to me. So he – when he asked me to come with a – a white dress, and we went for – when I got to the venue, and I didn't see any white party. Because, for me, my intention of getting ready was for a white party. So when I got there, and I didn't see anybody in white, I asked him, "What's happening?" And he pulled me aside, and he told me that he's organising a prank wedding for his social media, to be precise, Instagram, because he wants to boost his content, and wants to start monetising his Instagram page.
63 The applicant said the ceremony was an act. Her position on point was as follows –
HIS HONOUR: Can you help me with a couple of questions rising out of the exchange that you just had. The chronology is important. You told me before that he, in fact, proposed to you, and you accepted it. Is that right?---Yes.
When you accepted it, did you regard yourself as being engaged to marry?---Yes.
Even though there had been no discussion with your parents about getting your hand in marriage, and he hadn't even met your parents. Is that right?---Yes.
But were you nevertheless willing to regard yourself as married – sorry – engaged?---Yes. Engaged. Yes.
Okay. Well, now, what was the interval between the proposal and the fictitious ceremony, on your version? So the proposal happened [in late] December, and the marriage happened [two days later].
So two – two days? ---Yes.
Okay. In the intervening period, somehow it was put to you that you had to dress up to appear in white as if a bride?---Yes.
He also was dressed in a tuxedo, and he had glasses on. We've seen the photographs, but it appeared that somehow the two of you looked like you were intended to be photographed as newlyweds. Is that right?---Yes.
Were you told that you were going to be photographed as if you were newlyweds?--Yes. He got a photographer and a friend, and they came and helped with, you know, taking the pictures. And I – I never thought that [Mr C] was a celebrant because he didn't – he didn't say anything to me. We just went to the garden, and the whole process began.
Okay. So there's a very, very short time between the proposal and the alleged ceremony, but in that time, there had been no discussions with your parents about getting married and no, obviously, engagement celebrations or anything of that sort?-
