Two female couples tied the knot in Australia鈥檚 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 鈥� who coincidentally already had the same last name 鈥� 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.

鈥淎nne has been very supportive through all this and marrying her, it鈥檚 Anne鈥檚 way of saying 鈥楲et鈥檚 finally do this,鈥欌�� 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 鈥渃omplete.鈥�

鈥淚t means our relationship won鈥檛 just be tolerated, it will be accepted,鈥� Richards said.

Trevor Marshallsea, The Associated Press

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