When Keith and Sarah met online in 2016, there wasn’t an instant click. But sparks? Absolutely. “I was on a mission to shut down my account that night and had a glass of wine or two,” says Sarah. That’s when she sent him a sarcastic comment—because Keith’s profile picture showed him with kids, yet his profile said he had none.
What he did have, however, was a common connection interested in playing matchmaker. Keith’s best friend was a doctor at the eye clinic where Sarah had started working. So, the doctor was telling his buddy about the cute new single girl at work and how he should set them up.
However, without giving him the chance, these two connected all on their own and could see a future together. They bought a house, Sarah started working for Coyle Media Group—publisher of Ottawa Wedding Magazine—and in 2022 she gave birth to a darling boy named Callum.
Then in January 2025, lovely Sarah—who often said she was never getting married—returned to the office after the holiday break wearing a drop-dead gorgeous engagement ring. Say what?
“Keith has always said he wasn’t getting married, so getting engaged was a big surprise,” she explains. “I had been joking around with him about my younger cousin’s engagement and my brother getting engaged, saying everyone was engaged but me. Little did I know he was planning something.”
On Christmas Eve, when Keith and Callum went downstairs to join Sarah for some cuddle-time in their matching holiday pajamas, Cal was carrying a box. In it was that beautiful ring and the heart of this family’s wedding story.
Planning for the occasion began early in 2025. Since the couple had been together for almost a decade, they were intent on keeping things simple. Sarah wanted her wedding in Merrickville and she was equally clear about her other priorities: “We wanted just the people who meant the most to us to join us for the ceremony and a little gathering after. And, number one, whatever we did had to be kid-friendly, so Cal could join us, along with our closest friends’ kids. I also wanted to use as many suppliers from Merrickville as possible, to support the small businesses I love within the village.”
Special Place
“I have always had a special place in my heart for Merrickville,” she notes. “I call it my happy place and I love to wander around the little shops. When I discovered The Knox Wedding and Event Venue, that was it. It was perfect.”
So was her wedding day: Saturday, November 1. “Everything went better than expected. I spent the morning with my two closest friends and then ended the day home by 6 p.m. in my pjs.”
Keith managed to get Callum dressed and to the venue on time and Sarah says The Knox did not disappoint. Dating back to 1861 and once a church, the striking, historical setting was an ideal size for the group. It was also full of character and charm, thanks to its high ceilings, soaring gothic windows and beautiful mantel.
The always-pretty bride looked beautiful, too. “I never planned to wear a real wedding dress,” Sarah admits. “I was going to order a $200 dress from the internet.” But her two closest friends, Sam and Jaidan, wanted her to have that saying-yes-to-the-dress experience. Off they went to With Love Bridal Boutique and found a dreamy, feminine off-the-shoulder gown that fitted our girl to perfection.
Besties
And it was fitting for Sarah to begin her milestone day with Sam and Jaidan. She met both later in life—Sam is the wife of Keith’s best friend and work partner and Jaidan is a former neighbour—and Sarah says, “The three of us share a friendship that I couldn’t even begin to explain; we complement each other, support each other and consider ourselves family. They truly are the reason the wedding day happened, they made every moment special for me and I am so truly blessed to have them in my life.”
Cal was another star of the day. His mom reports he was “super shy at first—and then he stole my bouquet. The cutest moment,” she adds, “was him taking flowers out of the bouquet during the signing and running to Sam’s daughters and giving them each a flower. We call them his cousins and he loves them like family. Post-ceremony, he had a blast dancing and running around with his friends, keeping everyone giggling.”
As for the lovely décor elements? They were elegantly DIYed. “We chose a signature scent, Mood Magick, from down the road at the Wick Witch, the famous salted caramels from Pickle and Myrrh and grabbed flowers from our local store to make our own floral table displays.”
In keeping with the laid-back style, Sarah chose to go with favourites for a beautifully arranged feast: Pizza from Iron Forge, a scrumptious charcuterie spread created by Hailey from Mrs. McGarrigle’s and spiced cupcakes from Violets on Main bakery. The relaxed cocktail-hour vibe and inviting fare made for easy, pleasurable mingling.
While the kids played and laughed and giggled—and Cal passed out flowers to the young ladies, the adults chatted and drank in the joyful time at Sarah and Keith’s Merrickville wedding. “It was perfect,” Sarah says. It was.
The Details:
Venue: The Knox Wedding and Event Venue
Photographer: Rachael Justa Photography
Officiant: Samantha Kutowy, All Seasons Weddings
Bride’s Gown: With Love Bridal
Groom’s Attire: Blandin & Delloye
Bouquets: The Flower Shop, Kemptville
Cupcakes: Violets on Main, Merrickville
Charcuterie: Mrs. McGarrigle’s Fine Food Shop
Pizza: Iron Forge Pizza, Merrickville
Treats: Sea Salt Caramels from Pickle &Myrrh
Candles: Wick Witch Apothecary
