Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis Celebrate Love and Resilience at Perth NYE Wedding

As the sun set on 2025, Sam Kerr—Australia’s Matildas captain and Chelsea star—stood at the edge of a new beginning. In Perth, her hometown, she and Kristie Mewis, the American midfielder and former West Ham United player, welcomed friends and family to a drinks reception ahead of their long-awaited New Year’s Eve wedding. The air buzzed with anticipation, a mixture of nerves and pure joy, as the couple prepared to celebrate not just their union, but the journey that brought them here.

From the outside, Kerr and Mewis’s relationship seemed destined for headlines. Two elite athletes, continents apart, brought together by football and a spark that survived pandemic restrictions, long-distance calls, and the pressures of professional sport. But the story within the story—their private moments, their shared resilience—is what’s truly captivating.

The reception was intimate but lively. Mewis, radiant in a white dress and bralet, posted a selfie with Kerr by the sea, her Instagram caption simply reading, ‘Tomorrow,’ punctuated by a teary-eyed emoji and a heart. Their son, Jagger, just seven months old, was a central part of the celebration. Mewis shared glimpses of him getting ready for the event, and revealed on her podcast that Jagger would walk down the aisle hand-in-hand with Kerr—a moment she admitted would leave her ‘sobbing.’ The little one’s matching outfit was described as ‘absolutely adorable,’ a visual promise of the family they’ve built together.

The couple’s journey to this point hasn’t been without challenge. Earlier in the year, Kerr was at the center of a high-profile legal case in the UK, accused of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer. The case ended in her favor, with Kerr cleared of all charges, and Mewis standing by her side throughout. The ordeal could have cast a shadow over their year, but instead, it seemed to strengthen their bond—a testament to the support they offer each other both on and off the pitch.

Injuries, too, have played their part in Kerr’s narrative. Forced to undergo surgery for an anterior cruciate ligament injury, she spent 634 days away from the game she loves. Her return to the field in September 2025 was a moment of triumph, marking the end of a long, uncertain road. Through it all, Mewis was a constant presence, their partnership unwavering amid the turbulence of professional sport.

The love story traces its roots back to 2019, when Kerr and Mewis first crossed paths playing in the National US Women’s Soccer League. COVID-19 restrictions delayed their first in-person meeting for several months, but when they finally met, the connection was instant. Both would travel to the 2021 Olympics, where a now-famous photograph captured Mewis consoling Kerr after Australia’s defeat to the US—a public snapshot of a private bond.

‘The day I met you,’ Kerr answered when asked by Mewis when she knew she’d found ‘the one.’ Their engagement followed in late 2023, and in May 2025, they welcomed Jagger, sharing their joy with fans and followers around the world. The wedding venue, described by Mewis as ‘absolutely gorgeous’ after extensive renovations, was kept secret from the public, adding an air of intimacy to the event despite a guest list of more than 100, including former teammates like Stephanie McCaffrey.

Kerr’s approach to wedding planning has been refreshingly candid. In December, she posted a light-hearted Instagram story joking about leaving her dress selection until just 15 days before the ceremony. ‘Leaving it late, or masterstroke getting my wedding outfit with 15 days to go?’ she quipped, a reminder that even top athletes aren’t immune to pre-wedding nerves.

The couple opted to write their own vows, shifting the ceremony to coincide with New Year’s Eve so they could celebrate the milestone with everyone they love. It’s a fitting choice for two women who have spent much of their relationship navigating demanding schedules and time zones. There will be no honeymoon immediately after the wedding, as Kerr’s playing commitments call her back to the pitch—a reality that speaks to both the sacrifices and the triumphs of a life in elite sport.

Throughout the festivities, the theme was clear: resilience, joy, and the power of chosen family. Mewis confessed to feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of speaking to 120 people in one night, worried she couldn’t give enough time to everyone. It’s a relatable concern, reminding us that behind the public personas are two people grappling with the same anxieties and hopes as any couple about to say ‘I do.’

As 2025 drew to a close, Kerr and Mewis’s story stood as a beacon—proof that love, partnership, and persistence can thrive even under the brightest spotlights and toughest circumstances. Their wedding isn’t just a celebration of their relationship, but a testament to the communities and families that support them, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the new chapter that awaits. In the end, Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis’s union is a reminder that even in the world of elite sport, the most powerful victories are often won off the field—through trust, vulnerability, and the quiet strength of those who walk beside us. Sources: Daily Mail, The Guardian.