**Persistent Groom Proposes 42 Times Before Bride Says Yes: Couple Finally Wed After Years of Creative Gestures**
A mother from Essex is encouraging women not to rush into marriage, revealing that her husband had to propose to her 42 times before she agreed to tie the knot. After four years and a string of imaginative, heartfelt proposals, Sarah Wintrip married Luke Wintrip in May 2025—demonstrating both patience and commitment as the keystone to their relationship.
Sarah, 38, and Luke, 36, met through work but both were emerging from serious relationships when their paths first crossed. Their romance blossomed quickly, yet Sarah found herself taken aback just six months in, when Luke asked her to marry him during a picturesque horseback ride on a Jamaican beach. Feeling unprepared to make such a significant decision so early, Sarah politely declined. “Both of us had a lot to process after our previous relationships,” she explained. “I loved him, but I wanted to be absolutely sure, for the sake of my three daughters and ourselves.”
Undeterred by her initial hesitation, Luke, a tattoo artist with a flair for the dramatic, resolved to keep trying. Over the years, his proposals ranged from the intimate to the grandiose, including a memorable occasion where he hired an abandoned castle in Prague and decked it out with fairy lights, chocolates and champagne. The hope was that such elaborate efforts would win Sarah’s heart once and for all.
Sarah showcased the elaborate proposal journey on TikTok, sharing a compilation of clips—one of which sees a visibly nervous Luke get down on one knee in a busy restaurant, only for Sarah to turn him down with her head in her hands, overwhelmed by embarrassment. Another video shows her helping him back up after a public proposal on the street. Despite the repeated rejections, Luke remained quietly undaunted—his determination, he said, was also an example he wanted to set for Sarah’s daughters. “I hoped one day the girls would see how much I love their mum and realise that’s the kind of commitment worth seeking,” he shared.
It wasn’t until proposal number 43, in 2023, that Sarah finally accepted. Luke had arranged for a busker in Greenwich, who serenaded them with all of Sarah’s favourite songs. At precisely the iconic Greenwich Mean Time landmark, Luke declared, “This is the centre of the world, and you are the centre of my world. I want you to marry me.” This poignant gesture, Sarah recalls, finally captured her heart.
While some might find such persistence overwhelming, Sarah now reflects gratefully on Luke’s consistent efforts. “Looking back, I’m glad he never gave up. He never made me feel guilty or pressured—he was just there, unwavering and supportive,” she said. “It really takes courage to keep putting your heart on the line. That, to me, makes for someone strong and genuine.”
Sarah is now advocating for others not to accept a proposal simply out of obligation. “I know so many people who say ‘yes’ because they fear the relationship will end if they don’t,” she observed. “But it’s important to wait until you’re truly ready. If someone is truly ‘the one,’ they’ll put in the effort and respect your timeline. There’s nothing wrong with saying, ‘Not right now.’”
The newlyweds’ story, now circulating on social media, has resonated with thousands, sparking conversations about patience, resilience, and the importance of making significant life decisions in one’s own time. As for Luke, he believes their journey only strengthened their relationship. “I always knew we’d end up together,” he reflected. “I was confident that, one day, Sarah would say yes—and it was more than worth the wait.”
Their tale stands as a reminder that love sometimes requires both persistence and patience—and that the right person will be willing to wait, no matter how many proposals it takes.