Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Sophie Allouache have tied the knot!
The couple announced the joyous news on both Facebook and Instagram, writing, “We are delighted that so many of our family and friends could share this special day with us.”
According to the ABC, the wedding was held on Saturday March 16 in Adelaide at the Bird in Hand winery, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his fiancee Jodie Haydon, along with a number of Labor politicians, were among the guests.
Penny first met Sophie – who works as a manager for South Australia’s Health & Department of Human Services – in 2007 and they’ve been together ever since.
In 2011, Penny and Sophie welcomed their first child, a daughter named Alexandra, via a sperm donor and IVF.
“We are extremely grateful to our IVF service and staff, and to our donor, for giving us the opportunity to raise a child together,” Penny said in a statement at the time.
In 2015, the couple welcomed their second child, a daughter named Hannah.
Sophie carried and gave birth to both Alexandra and Hannah, who were conceived from the same male donor’s sperm.
Penny has revealed that the donor is a close friend and is known to her and Sophie’s daughters.
The now married senator has long advocated for same-sex marriage; in 2017, when the country undertook the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey, Penny wrote on Instagram:
“Sophie and I voted. Not only because we love each other. But because we want a more equal Australia. For our children. For all. #VoteYes And Please remember to get your forms back.”
Then, when it was revealed that the majority of Australians voted ‘yes’ to legalising gay marriage, Penny gave an emotional speech in parliament.
“I hope that everyone in this parliament has heard the resounding voice of the Australian people today, a mandate for change, a mandate for equality,” she began.
“Because it is time. Thank you for standing up for fairness, thank you for standing up for equality. Thank you for standing up for our families.”
For her wedding, Penny wore a red suit while Sophie opted for a embroidered, lace gown in the traditional white.
Alexandra, now 12, and Hannah, now 8, were flower girls for the lovely ceremony.
