You may now kiss the groom! Touching pictures show same-sex couples tying the knot on the stroke of midnight - on the first legal day of gay marriage in Australia

• Same-sex couples in Australia officially tied the knot in touching midnight ceremonies on Tuesday morning
• The new Australian Marriage Act officially came into effect at one minute past midnight on January 9
• Queensland partners Luke Sullivan and Craig Burns were one of the first to wed in a night-time ceremony 
• Brides Rebecca Hickson and Sarah Turnbull also wed on Tuesday with both women wearing white dresses

Gay couples across the country locked lips at the stroke of midnight as the new Marriage Act officially became legal in Australia. 

In an historic moment for the Australian gay community and following a powerful campaign, many same-sex couples signed their names on marriage certificates during spectacular midnight nuptials on January 9.

Newlyweds Luke Sullivan and Craig Burns were one of the first to tie the knot in Queensland during a touching night-time ceremony which saw the pair exchange vows exactly one minute after the law came into effect.

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The athletes married in a beautiful ceremony at the Summergrove Estate, in the Tweed Coast Hinterland, at 12am in front of 55 family members and friends.

Daylight savings and the time difference meant the grooms were one of the first couples in the country to officially be recognised as married under Australian law.

'It's a very surreal feeling,' an emotional Craig said in the lead-up to the event.

In a reverse-style wedding event, the couple hosted a pre-ceremony reception until 11.30pm when their marriage was officiated under a backdrop of fireworks. 

It is a dream both Craig and Luke - who met online three years ago - thought may never become a reality. 

'I couldn't help but have this thought, "I might not have this opportunity",' Luke told 7news before his wedding.

The accomplished athletes became engaged in March 2016 after a touching proposal set on the rocks in Byron Bay, NSW, with both men dressed in Speedos as Craig popped the question on one knee. 

Their $50,000 nuptials were gifted by businesses across the state who donated their services towards one of the first legal same-sex weddings.

Craig, a sprinter, hopes to qualify for the next Commonwealth Games and will represent Queensland at the 2018 Queen's Baton Relay in March. 

Teegan Daly and her now-wife Mahatia 'Tie' Minnicon also officially tied the knot in a moving midnight ceremony on January 9. 

The couple wed in Melbourne and celebrated until 3am in the morning.

For the historic occasion, Teegan wore a gold jumpsuit and her partner Mahatia opted for a traditional white gown. 

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 is the first official day ceremonies can take place.

In Newcastle, 32-year-old Rebecca Hickson will marry her partner of nine years Sarah Turnbull, 34.

The pair said they wanted to be part of history and planned to also be one of the first couples to tie the knot in a ceremony from 8am.

'We've already had our big hoo-ha ceremony three years ago but now we get to declare our love for each other again and have it recognised as a real union,' Rebecca said.

She 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.

On Tuesday, the long-time activists will also look forward and tie the knot where they first met as performing arts students three decades ago - at the former Prahran College of TAFE's David Williamson Theatre.

'I'm looking really forward to celebrating the victory,' Ron said.

The two have already held more than a dozen commitment ceremonies, including in 1993 on their sixth anniversary when gay marriage 'wasn't on the radar'.

'I suppose it's been a wedding planned for 30 years but we've had really a month to get things together,' he added 

'It's been quite hectic trying to organise that in such a short amount of time.

Same-sex couple Lisa Goldsmith and Gillian Brady also took the opportunity to wed on January 9 in a touching ceremony at The Court.

The Perth brides married in front of a small group of friends and family with Gillian dressed in a dapper suit while Lisa chose a beautiful white dress.

Sarah Turnbull  and Rebecca Hickson were quick to exchange vows too and married in a beautiful ceremony in Newcastle, Tuesday, January 9, 2018.

Today is the first official day same-sex marriage ceremonies can take place in Australia after legislation was passed in parliament in December