Sarah Wilkinson’s Unique Celebration: Marrying Herself

At 42, Sarah Wilkinson unconventionally celebrated her singleness — she threw herself a wedding, having not met the right partner.

Having saved for two decades to realize her dream wedding, Sarah, a credit controller, spared no expense, spending approximately $12,000 on the festivities. Her meticulous saving plan included setting aside money monthly and supplementing her fund with unexpected gains, such as bingo winnings.

The unique ceremony occurred at Harvest House in Felixstowe, Suffolk, orchestrated by her celebrant friend. It was a memorable event held on September 30, attended by 40 of Sarah’s nearest and dearest, with an additional 40 guests joining the evening party at a tennis club nearby.

Those who know Sarah weren’t astonished by her decision to embrace self-marriage. She recounted that the celebration was joyous and that she had crafted 14 vows for herself, one of which humorously ensured she maintained sole control of the TV remote.

The idea for this self-marriage crystallized during the lockdown when Sarah, upon reaching 40, treated herself to the diamond engagement ring she’d always desired. A friend, who is a professional wedding planner, helped bring the day to life by conducting the ceremony.

While Sarah indulged in her dream wedding, she remains open to the prospect of a traditional marriage. She clarified that her self-wedding stemmed more from a reluctance to actively seek a partner than from abandoning the concept of partnership.