I met Jason on a charity walk in 2001, and we got married on a

In her words, Mariella Frostrup speaks of a love that emerged not in youthful haste, but through the clarity and depth of maturity. She recalls meeting Jason during a charity walk in 2001, a moment of serendipity where shared purpose gave birth to a profound connection. Two years later, they celebrated their union not in a grand hall or under the weight of tradition, but aboard a friend’s boat in Panama. This choice of setting reflects a truth often discovered later in life — that love’s essence lies in intimacy and simplicity, not in spectacle.

The phrase “perfect wedding for two people who’d already been married and who weren’t teenagers” carries deep meaning. Mariella acknowledges that this was not her first journey down the path of matrimony. With that experience came wisdom: a recognition that weddings need not follow societal expectations or impress the crowd. In youth, ceremonies often shine with outward grandeur, but with time, one learns to seek what is authentic and personal. Their wedding was a celebration of love unburdened by performance, shaped instead by the quiet joy of true companionship.

The symbolism of being on a boat is profound. A boat moves freely, unanchored, guided by winds and tides — much like love itself. Throughout history, the sea has represented transformation and new beginnings. Ancient cultures saw voyages as metaphors for life’s journeys, with marriages likened to two souls setting sail together. By marrying on a boat, Mariella and Jason embraced this timeless symbol, declaring that their union was an adventure they would navigate hand in hand.

History offers echoes of such unions away from the pomp of the world. The poet Robert Browning and his beloved Elizabeth Barrett wed in secret, far from society’s gaze, valuing their private devotion above public spectacle. Though their marriage was simple, their love became legendary, inspiring generations through Elizabeth’s passionate sonnets. Similarly, Mariella’s story reminds us that the depth of love is not measured by the size of the celebration but by the strength of the bond forged.

Thus, her reflection carries a timeless teaching: weddings are not the culmination of love, but its proclamation. Whether held in a cathedral, a garden, or upon the open sea, the true sacredness lies in the promises made and the journey begun. For those who have lived, learned, and loved before, the greatest beauty often comes not from grandeur, but from the quiet knowledge that this union is chosen freely, fully, and forever.