Just Married: Sarah Lisette Pearse and Maj. Zachariah George Morford

JUST MARRIED: Sarah Lisette Pearse and Maj. Zachariah George Morford

Bride’s parents: Gloria and Carl A. Pearse
Groom’s parents: Dorothy B. Morford and the Rev. G. Robert Morford

How Couple Met:
Sarah Lisette Pearse and Maj. Zachariah George Morford were both living in Atlanta and met online in October 2010. In their initial emails, they swapped grilled-cheese sandwich preferences and values. Two weeks later, they went on a first date. While on the date, Sarah asked about the bracelet Zachariah always wears, a Killed in Action bracelet worn in memory of five men whom he lost as a part of the Bravo Company he commanded in Iraq in 2007.

The Proposal:
In April, Zachariah surprised her with a helicopter ride. At one point during the flight, their helicopter started to lose altitude over downtown Atlanta. Sarah was stunned to see the helicopter land on the rooftop of the W Hotel, where he proposed.

The Wedding:
The couple was married Oct. 13, at Bay Preserve, in Osprey. The ceremony was performed by the groom’s father, a Pentecostal minister with the backdrop of the Intercoastal waterway, manatees at play and a flock of more than 100 great blue herons flying over the bay. The wedding took place on a Sunday so that the many active-duty military who attended could have the next day, Columbus Day, to return to duty. The reception immediately followed the ceremony, but with two hours of cocktails and lawn games of croquet and beanbag toss.

Honeymoon:
The newlyweds departed the reception aboard a “Just Married” boat and then left the following day for a honeymoon at the infamous China Beach, in South Vietnam.

DETAILS 

Flowers: Flowers by Fudgie
Catering: Michael’s On East
Photography: Esther Louise Photography
Music: Deleon Entertainment
Cake: Dee Ziner Cakes & Pastries