Sarah McGilvray turns engagement party into surprise wedding

It’s hard to get one over Nova 969’s Fitzy and Wippa, but co-host Sarah McGilvray has managed just that with a surprise wedding at the weekend.

Friends and family had been expecting an engagement party and were left in shock when the younger brother of groom James Couche dropped a bombshell.

“I’m going to let the cat out of the bag. A wedding happened today and it wasn’t mine,” he said.

“Without further ado, let us welcome for the first time as husband and wife, Sarah and James.”

The couple shares two children: William and Thomas, having been introduced by their mutual friend, Wippa, at the races. And the rest is history.

James only popped the question in June at a lunch at Rockpool Melbourne.

McGilvray was tricked into thinking it was a work do with producer Tom Ivey and Wippa, and arrived to find a table for two with James.

For four months, the couple kept the news on a need to know basis. McGilvray says it was a struggle to keep it a secret.

“I’ve had a few accidental slip-ups. It’s been hard to keep it secret. So many people have been suspicious.”

Fitzy was one who had no idea what was on the cards. He arrived late to the party in jeans and was horrified to realise the engagement party was something a lot more momentous.

As for the groom, a slip of the tongue had everyone laughing when he praised his wife during the wedding speech.

“I was attracted to Sarah because of her core values. Values of selfishness,” said Couche.

He meant selflessness and will probably be hearing about that slip up for years to come.