Why Karl Stefanovic and Jasmine Yarbrough had a commitment ceremony instead of a wedding.

The Today Show co-host Karl Stefanovic and his fianceé Jasmine Yarbrough exchanged vows in a commitment ceremony at a private house on Sydney’s Palm Beach over the weekend.

Although commitment ceremonies involve an exchange of vows and rings, they’re not legally binding, leaving many fans questioning why the newly-engaged couple didn’t have a formal wedding ceremony instead.

Some reports suggested the pair went with a commitment ceremony as Stefanovic’s divorce from ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn was not yet finalised, however, The Daily Telegraph has reported that these claims are false with a ‘source’ saying Karl has been “legally divorced for around six months.”

Apparently, the real reason the pair opted for a commitment ceremony was out of respect for Stefanovic’s children.

“Commitment ceremonies are a good way to involve children and families in a non-formal way,” the source said, adding that it is not yet known whether the couple will have an official wedding ceremony later down the track

Stefanovic told the Sunday Telegraph, “We are very much in love. We clicked right from the start. It’s a commitment ceremony. It was lovely.”

The Mamamia Out Loud team dissect Cass Thorburn’s public comments about Karl Stefanovic, and whether she went too far. Post continues after audio…

The ceremony was reportedly an intimate event with less than 20 guests. There are conflicting reports about whether Karl and Cassandra’s three children, Jackson, 18, Ava, 12, and 10-year-old River were there, although a ‘source’ told the Daily Mail Australia they were not in attendance.

Speaking on Weekend Today yesterday, the morning after the ceremony, Karl’s brother Peter Stefanovic described the event as a “little soirée” as he shared his congratulations for the couple.

“We had a little barbecue, a few XXXX Golds, Karl burnt the snags as usual… it was a good day.”

On the Today Show this morning, Slyvia Jeffreys described the event as a "very low-key affair, but really beautiful and very them."

It’s believed the couple became engaged in January this year while holidaying in Fiji.

Stefanovic and Yarbrough first met in December 2016, several months after Stefanovic separated from his wife of 21 years, Cassandra Thorburn.