A Loughborough love story: from freshers’ week to marriage

Emma Godman and Matthew Pickering met during freshers’ week when they started studying at Loughborough University in October 2010. Emma studied a BSc in International Business and Matt studied a MEng in Mechanical Engineering. They both lived in neighbouring blocks in Rutherford halls and quickly became part of the same friendship circle.

Emma and Matt smiling with a group of alumni at their wedding

During their first freshers’ week, Matt confidently asked Emma to swap shirts with him during "Checkerboard night". From then on, they became friends and their friendship turned to love during second year. Ten years later, Matt proposed to Emma at a beautiful spot in Switzerland during their sabbatical year, which they spent travelling the world together. 

They tied the knot in Cheshire in November 2023, celebrating their love surrounded by friends and family, several of whom were also Loughborough alumni and some of whom also lived in Rutherford blocks.  

Matt is currently putting his previous experience as a Design Engineer for the Mercedes F1 team to use, working at Woodford Engineering Consultancy (WEC), and after excelling in various marketing, branding and strategy roles at Boots, Emma is now a Senior Strategist, specialising in Brand and Product Strategy, at Brandon Consultants. 

Many congratulations, Emma and Matthew.