Peter Fraser and Gordon Stevenson were not trying to make history when they wed on Friday.

The first same-sex couple to marry in Australia under British law, they simply wanted to celebrate their love like everyone else.

Newlyweds: Gordon Stevenson and Peter Fraser. Credit:Wolter Peeters

''Far from trying to break the tradition of marriage, we're actually just trying to join the tradition,'' Mr Stevenson said. ''No longer should we have to say, 'Peter's my partner' or 'he's my friend' – I can say he's my husband, and everyone knows what that means.''

Gay marriage became legal in England and Wales in March. The marriage equality laws have been extended to British citizens in 24 countries, including - on Friday - Australia.