A PERFECT MATCH: Ashlee McPherson & Rich Johnson

PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY RILEY

Time stood still when Ashlee McPherson and Rich Johnson said their vows, with joined hands and exchanging deep looks. At last, they had found their perfect life partner and stood before God to unite their families.

In the private setting of Ashlee’s parents’ home, a Panama City Beach residence with beautiful east views onto St. Andrews Bay, surrounded by close family and friends, the couple celebrated their families’ union that, with shared love and compassion, had truly grown together in the last four years.

The big day went without a hitch, the newlyweds remember. “It was so comfortable and there was such a peace about everything. I was so at ease and enjoyed every moment,” Ashlee says.

Rich recalls the moment he saw her walking down the aisle to meet him. “She was beautiful. My favorite memory of our wedding day will always be seeing her in her wedding dress.”

Ashlee’s mother, Vicki McPherson, oversaw the decorations and flawlessly transformed her Bay Point home into her daughter’s dream-come-true wedding location. An assortment of pink, orange, and white peonies set the mood for the happy event.

Transforming the waterfront home and garden into a wedding venue was an easy task for the family that works so well together. But one feature took much more planning than any other. Ashlee and Rich exchange meaningful smiles as they recall their parents’ ingenuity to make the venue perfect. “My mother felt that there should be a long aisle. With the large swimming pool in the yard, the best option would be a bridge that would lead across the pool.”

“Ashlee’s parents are amazing people,” Rich adds. “Her mother has great ideas and her dad is always happy to make them come true. He designed and constructed the walkway over the pool. Her dad is a remarkable man. Ever since Hurricane Michael, he has bought equipment to help people with their fallen trees. He goes out every day, works for free, and has even hired a helper and continues to provide free tree removal.”

Ashlee and Rich were looking for each other long before they met. This is where their love story begins—with about 100 miles between two people and a few clicks that declared that they were a perfect match. It would change their lives forever.

After messaging back and forth for several months, they decided to meet in person in May of 2014. But neither of them showed up at the proposed location and it would take another half-year for them to find the perfect time to finally meet. Both were driven, business-minded single parents. Ashlee, the director of operations for a communications company in Troy, Alabama, was focused on her career and two daughters, Anslee and Addison. Rich, leading his family business, Gulf Marine, Inc. in Panama City, Florida, was a busy parent as well, to his high-school-aged son, Cameron.

But the day came when they agreed on a lunch date at one of their favorite restaurants, J. Michaels in Panama City Beach. Ashlee brought her cousin along, undoubtedly for backup, but she jokes today, “I thought he should have a choice!”

With their first meeting, they both knew that they would be more than friends. “I remember getting in the car after lunch thinking, ‘I really like him,’” Ashlee says.

Rich felt the same. “She was outgoing, fun, happy, and beautiful.” They simply complemented each other. When she asked him to watch a football game with friends the same evening, he hesitated only briefly. “That’s when his friends knew that he was serious,” Ashlee teases. “Neither of us are huge football fans, but I’m more of one than he is. So, for him to want to come along … It was a big deal.”

From there, the love grew and strengthened. There was a lot of driving back and forth from Troy to Panama City Beach. Their weekends were reserved for each other—it did not matter whether it was fun or chores, they did it together. She joined him at his yoga classes and he accompanied her and her parents on their search for a Panama City Beach home

He might have even started thinking about marriage sooner than she had. The first time he made his intentions known was surprising for Ashlee. “When we went to look at the house with my parents in Bay Point, Rich looked at the backyard and said, ‘This is the perfect place fora wedding,’” she remembers. Twenty-two months later, they stood in the same place, about to become husband and wife. Nearly 150 guests were in attendance, a fact which is engraved in Ashlee and Rich’s memories. “Out of 150, only a few couldn’t come,” Ashlee recalls. “We are so grateful for having the love and support from all of our friends and family—we felt very loved that day. “They have faced many challenges along the way, including the distance between their homes. In October 2018, Rich lost his home in Lynnhaven to Hurricane Michael and his business was damaged with a complete loss of their entire inventory. Instead of dwelling on the loss, Rich and Ashlee worked together to help the community. “I have to say I could not be more proud of my new husband for all of the hard work and kindness he has shown to the people of this community. He truly has a passion for kindness and helping others,” Ashlee says. “We have also worked to build Gulf Marine back and are blessed to have recently purchased a new home.”

When asked what advice they would give to newlyweds or those expecting to marry soon, Rich states, “We put God first. He is the foundation.”

“Put God first, and then your spouse second,” Ashlee summarizes. Then she laughs. “I always tell Rich I am excited to be in second place! We try to keep life simple and enjoy every moment.”

For the future, the couple plans to enjoy island days, fishing, and anything on the water. Travel is also something they always make time for. “We just got back from Italy, so we’re excited to go see what else is out there,” Rich says.

Both Rich and Ashlee would like to express their sincerest thanks to their parents for the lifetime of guidance and unconditional love and support. They also give thanks to their wonderful family and friends and everyone who helped in making their wedding day a cherished memory for the rest of their lives.

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PARENTS OF THE BRIDE
Terry McPherson
Vicki McPherson

PARENTS OF THE GROOM
Rick Johnson
Diane Johnson

BRIDESMAIDS
Anslee Henderson
Addison Henderson

GROOMSMEN
Cameron Johnson

FLOWER GIRLS
Sadie Claussen
Ella Claussen

RING BEARERS
Benjamin Smith
Jacob Smith

OFFICIANT
Marty Martin

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[box type=”info” align=”aligncenter” ]If you would like to have your wedding featured, please send an email to weddings@panamacityliving.com.[/box] [divider]