Same-sex couples from interstate have already contacted celebrants in the ACT about marrying in the national capital as the local wedding industry waits to see if the territory's new gay marriage laws result in a boom in business.
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At least one interstate celebrant has also signalled he will fly in and fly out of the ACT to conduct same-sex marriages, believing the demand will be huge.
Perth celebrant Terry Healy said he might travel to Canberra to conduct marriages for friends or other interested clients.
''It's the best job in the world. It's always positive, it's always lovely,'' he said.
But another local celebrant, Narelle Tudehope, said given any couple had to legally wait at least one month before they could marry, she doubted the laws would still be in place by then, given the Commonwealth's intention to challenge them imminently in the High Court.
''If it does go through, I think next year it would be fantastic. But I'm not terribly confident,'' Ms Tudehope said.
Some bridal businesses have also publicly expressed their support for the ACT's same-sex marriage laws within hours of them being passed in the Assembly on Tuesday.
Bridal designer Sarah Joseph Couture, which has outlets in Canberra and Sydney, was quick off the mark, posting on its Facebook page a publicity image of two female models posing in its bespoke wedding designs, the company declaring it believed in equal rights.
''Wahhhoooo ACT passes same sex marriage! Progress,'' the company wrote on its page.
Designer Sarah Joseph said the same-sex image was taken earlier this year and was not a publicity gimmick but more about her personal convictions about equal rights. She said it might even work against her.
''I might lose custom over something like this, but I'd rather stick to what I believe in. A world full of equality makes us all millionaires. I think raising your voice sometimes is worth more than money,'' she said.
Mrs Joseph said there might also be an increase in demand should more weddings occur in the ACT.
''It would be great but I'm not doing it for that,'' she said. ''I always think of it along the lines, if a gay couple goes to a supermarket, it doesn't affect me. It doesn't affect me what they do every day. Why should it affect me that they go and get married?''
Canberra celebrant Julie Rattenbury said that within hours of the laws being passed on Tuesday she was contacted by same-sex couples in Western Australia and South Australia inquiring about marrying in the ACT.
She said two women had been together for 30 years and had a 10-year-old daughter and wanted to ''cement their relationship'' with a wedding. They had previously looked to having a ceremony in New Zealand, which earlier this year allowed same-sex marriages, but changed their minds after the ACT passed its laws.
Two men, who had adoptive children, were keen to marry so if anything happened to either one of them, the other could be guaranteed of remaining the children's parent.
''They all say they are going to remain optimistic,'' Ms Rattenbury said, of the pending Commonwealth challenge.
Shampagne Wedding Planners co-owner Stephanie Norton said she believed some couples would be keen to get their ceremony done quickly before the laws changed.
''I think it's a really big win for everybody and we're definitely looking forward to more inquiries. As far as a boom goes, I really don't think so. It would be a lot more smaller, understated, family situations given how precarious the laws are,'' she said.
A Capital Affair owner Lauren Rowell, who has supplied flowers for same-sex civil unions, said any increase in demand was likely to come from same-sex couples from outside the ACT making the territory a wedding destination.
''Whether it will create a surge in Canberra, I'm not sure because I think people were doing it anyway. But I think as far as interstaters coming here, for sure,'' she said.
Crace cake maker Linda Butler, who recently made a baby shower cake for an expectant gay couple, complete with rainbow nappies, said it was a matter of wait and see about whether there was a boom in demand.
''We welcome the business and we wish the best of luck to all the couples,'' she said.
The first legal gay wedding in the ACT is not expected to occur for at least a month. All couples in the ACT, gay and straight, must lodge a notice of intention to marry form to an authorised celebrant at least one month before their wedding ceremony, according to the Office of Regulatory Services.
