“It kind of feels like the most magical day to do things,” a Harry Potter-clad Callum Richter toldBrisbane Times just moments after tying the knot on Thursday morning.
“It’s surreal,” Nina Richter added.
Brisbane newlyweds Callum and Nina Richter got married on a leap day at the CBD registry office.Brisbane Registry Office
The Richters were one of 27 couples saying “I do” on Thursday,a leap day,at the Brisbane Registry Office in the CBD and the Brisbane Powerhouse – a record for both venues,surpassing Valentine’s Day bookings.
“Couples are noting that it’s a day that happens once every four years,and they’re planning to potentially celebrate once every four years and make a really big deal of their wedding anniversary,” Renae Webb,the Registry of Births,Deaths and Marriages’ executive manager of operations,said.
That’s exactly what the Richters were planning to do.
“[It’s] making every four years really exciting,” Callum Richter said. “We can do a super-big splurge and go overseas and really ramp up to something.”
The “lost” years in between,as he referred to them,wouldn’t be overlooked,however.
Nina Richter explained the plan was still to have a little celebration every year.
“There’s definitely no forgetting … it’s always going to be this sliver of time right at the end of the 28th[of February] where it slips over into the 1st[of March] and we’ll go,‘That’s it! Did you feel it?’,” Callum Richter added.
The couple’s wedding was Harry Potter-themed,with cloaks,wands and a bouquet made from pages from the famous books.Brisbane Registry Office
The couple’s love of Harry Potter was at the centre of their big day,with cloaks,wands and a bouquet made from pages of the novels.
“When else do you get to dress up like this and have it be socially acceptable to walk about the streets in a robe?” Callum Richter asked. “I can say,‘it’s my wedding day,I’m allowed to wear this’.”
Of the 27 weddings scheduled,20 were being held at the CBD location while the other seven were planned for the Powerhouse.
Five celebrants married the couples throughout the day,with ceremonies beginning at 9am.
“We could never have anticipated the high demand that we have had for weddings this leap year,” Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said in a statement.
“It’s such a special thing for our team to be a part of,” Webb added.