Their big grad Greek wedding!

Christina Smith (BA Drama 2008-2011) and Jonathan (Jon) Beal (BA Media Production 2008-11) met in their second year at the University when they lived in houses opposite each other. A couple of Christina’s friends had moved into Jon’s house and she was introduced to him when she popped round to welcome her friends.

After that lucky meeting, Christina and Jon shared all the quintessential experiences of student life at the University – including Bop on Wednesdays, walks on St Catherine’s Hill and sunny picnics in the Cathedral grounds with friends. “Winchester was one big family for us both”, Jon remarks fondly.

Graduation was not the end of the road for the couple though. Jon proposed five years after they first met when they revisited a favourite Cornish landmark, the Hawker’s Hut in Morwenstow.

The wedding – with five other Winchester alumni in attendance – took place in August 2017 on the beautiful island of Corfu where Christina and Jon had holidayed with his family several times. They wanted to do something a bit different!

Christina is now a primary school teacher and we’re happy to say that she has returned to Winchester to study for an MA in Education. Jon is working at Bournemouth University where he has two roles, as a Press Officer and a part time lecturer.

We’re delighted that two of our graduates met their soulmates at Winchester and that both have successful careers. Congratulations, Christina and Jon, we wish you every happiness in your future together.

Did you meet your partner at the University (or earlier at King Alfred’s College)? We enjoy a good love story so please send us an email and a couple of photos to alumni@winchester.ac.uk for us to consider featuring your story here.

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