Sarah and Matt’s love story has been in the making for over 11 years.

They met in the summer of 2013 to play truth or dare at a golf course in their hometown of Garden City, NY...trespassing at night...and yes, this was the same golf course Matt’s dad’s company installed the security cameras for.

Three months later on October 12, 2013 they started officially dating, and even told each other they loved each other that same night. While many would laugh this off as a childhood fling, (Matt & Sarah’s dads even joked about “remaining friends” when Matt went off to college), Sarah & Matt knew that their love was real, unique & everlasting.

High school Matt and Sarah loved staying active and going on adventures. They loved going to the beach, Rye Playland, Mets & Yankees games, Ed Sheeran and Zac Brown Band concerts, date nights around the town (Novita, Calageros, Grimaldi’s), or just hanging out with Sarah’s family dog Bailey and playing games at each other’s houses (Sarah is a fanatic cards fan, which Matt has learned to like over the years). Attending Winter Wonderland dances and Sweet 16s rounded out their social calendars and gave them fun excuses to dress up. Their favorite outings were their “NYC City Days” especially during the holidays; a pre-cursor to their future to come… (and yes, of course they have 12 annual pictures in front of the Rockefeller Tree).

They both had a knack for elaborate plans and surprising each other. Matt took Sarah’s breath away with a “prom-posal” light display in his backyard that had taken him days on a ladder to create. Which Sarah then followed up with a year later while visiting Marist with a 10-step scavenger hunt planting clues throughout campus and ending with a “Prom?” on a tree. With the extra paint, Matt had the idea to sign their initials on a rock by the Hudson River (this is very common, we promise) and to mark the place as forever a part of their story.

Matt started off college at Marist College but then moved to the University of Delaware a year and a half later, a move he swears had nothing to do with the distance to Villanova University (where Sarah had started attending) going from 178 miles to 44 miles. Across both schools they attended countless formals in their sorority / fraternity eras and became integrated into each other’s social lives. Also don’t worry, Matt was sure to be on campus for the 2018 Villanova Basketball National Championship. Their Nova and UD squads remain some of their best friends today. While they hated being apart, they crushed dating long distance, taking no breaks even when Sarah did a semester abroad in Milan; each time they were together they knew their love was worth it.

In October of 2020, when the rest of the world was still largely working from home due to COVID-19, Sarah was back in the office four times a week in the city, and Matt and Sarah decided it was time to move in together. In a once in a lifetime rental market, Sarah and Matt found the apartment of their dreams with a large terrace on Wall Street, and yes they often “joke” that they are never leaving (going on over 4 yrs later…). New York City has become their home in every sense of the word from the restaurants to the coffee shops, museums, galas, Broadway shows, bars, parks (Battery, Central, Governor’s), west side highway running path and community. With a city that never sleeps (and neither does Sarah) there is always another adventure around the corner to discover and Sarah & Matt couldn’t love it here more.

A few common passions that have stood the test of time for Sarah and Matt are their loves of running, concerts, the beach & electronic dance music or “EDM”… it’s all about balance, right? Their adventures have taken them through multiple marathons (Sarah – Disney World, Philadelphia, & New York City; Matt – New York City x 2), and countless concerts and EDM music festivals (one excursion that included both EDM & running). Only fitting that in July 2025 Matt will be running the San Francisco marathon, and both Matt and Sarah will be having their respective Bachelor/ Bachelorette parties in Las Vegas!

As two city slickers, what often surprises people is their equal love of nature & adventure. Sarah & Matt have a passion for getting the most out of life and saying yes to new things. So whether it is a cold plunge, a natural thermal bath, hiking a 14,000 foot tall mountain (14-er), bike racing, white-water rafting, horseback riding, paragliding, exploring national parks, snowboarding with no lessons, riding in an open door helicopter, or the scariest yet.. a trip to Disney World without fast passes, they will jump in with two feet!

California has always been a special place to Sarah & Matt. They fell in love with the state after visiting Sarah’s Uncle Jay in 2020. In October 2023, on their 10-year anniversary of dating, Matt surprised Sarah with a trip to San Francisco; she had a feeling Matt might propose! Their first day couldn’t have been more picturesque boasting unbelievable weather and the best sunset Sarah had ever seen... but no proposal. Midway through the trip, Matt got a rental car and they went to their “2nd location” … Napa Valley! While the first day was a fake-out with a cheese making class, when told to get dressed in her “favorite outfit” on their 2nd day in Napa Valley Sarah knew it must be the day. What she didn’t expect was Sodaro Estate, a small family-owned vineyard that Matt had gotten privately reserved for their special day. The photographer disguised as a gardener was the cherry on top. After getting engaged Matt & Sarah decided to take the first few hours just for themselves & to not contact any of their family or friends. They spent the time talking about their future while enjoying the vineyard & wine/cheese tasting. It was a perfect day.

Shortly following their engagement, Sarah & Matt decided to grow their little family and welcomed “Napa”, an English Cream Golden Retriever - a breed that has been a lifelong dream of Matt’s. Napa is the sweetest girl imaginable, obsessed with all animals and people, and the perfect balance of adventurous and snuggly. She has pushed Matt & Sarah to discover their “hot girl walk” era, and explore “family” holiday pajamas sets – yes they are as cringey and fabulous as you think. Our coffee & cards, charcuterie date nights and getaway weekend trips are even better with our furry best friend.

Both Sarah and Matt have faced challenges in their lives but have always been each other’s rock & support system. They are firm believers in “opposite’s attract” with values alignment. Matt has taught Sarah how to slow down, both mentally and physically and to fully experience & enjoy the world around us. Sarah has taught Matt that continuous hard work in anything he does will always pay off in the long run; whether it is applying for the internship, going for the new job, or hopping on the peloton.

While they are not the same people that they were when they met at the ages of 15 and 16, as they grew up, they actively chose each other in each phase of life. Sarah & Matt love the life that they have created together so far. They can’t wait to see how they will continue to grow into the best versions of themselves and where life will take them next.

We can’t wait to see you October 11, 2025 at the Stonewall Estate. While we want to keep the photo details a surprise for now, we wanted everyone to know that Napa has toured the venue and fully approves of it (of course, it is dog-friendly and she will be at the wedding as well!).