Even if it is overcast, ideally the sun will peek out from behind the clouds about 3.30pm, when the Kanahooka couple say their vows to one another on Flagstaff Hill.

Although a bill to legalise same-sex marriage was voted down in the upper house of NSW Parliament earlier this month, they wanted to go ahead with their commitment ceremony to celebrate their love.

‘‘A piece of paper doesn’t make a marriage. It’s in the heart. Signing a piece of paper at the end and all the other stuff is just a bonus,’’ Gillian said.

‘‘As far as we’re concerned, we’re a family and life will catch up.’’

Racheal agreed.

‘‘At the end of the day we love each other, and we want to share that more than anything with everyone. The fact that it’s not recognised doesn’t faze us,’’ she said.

The pair have known each other for 18 years, travelling in the same circle of friends after high school, but went their separate ways in their early 20s and lost touch for nearly 15 years.

But thanks to Facebook they were able to get in touch again several years ago, with Gillian sending Racheal a friend request.

The rest, they say, is history.

Racheal, a maritime warfare officer with the Australian Navy, proposed after first clearing it with Gillian’s 14-year-old daughter, Maya, in their kitchen while making dinner the night before she was deployed to Darwin for several months.

‘‘It was a complete surprise, I had no idea, no idea at all,’’ Gillian said.

Much of the celebration has been organised through long-distance phone calls and social media. The result is a ceremony with a civil celebrant and each of the women’s fathers walking them down the aisle, and a 1920s, cabaret-themed reception at City Beach Function Centre for 80 guests complete with chandeliers, red and purple decorations and an ivory silk dress for Gillian.

‘‘We wanted a party essentially. We tossed and turned ideas everywhere and at the end of the day we’ve got family and friends that support us 100 per cent, so we decided to have a party and celebrate it the way it should be celebrated,’’ said Racheal.

City Beach Function Centre wedding co-ordinator Amy Wood said it was only the second same-sex celebration she had come across in her time at the venue.

After the ceremony Racheal, Gillian and Maya are changing their surnames to Cosgrove-White – an idea that was all Maya’s.

‘‘We’re super excited. Let’s just crack on and get married now,’’ Racheal said.