Kirsten and Michael were introduced by a mutual friend when Kirsten moved from Manhattan to Atlanta and Michael was working there on a consulting project. Less than seven months after meeting, the pair returned to Kirsten’s native country of Australia, where Michael proposed at sunset on a beach in the far north, near the Great Barrier Reef.
Reverend Daniel Cole officiated the ceremony at St. Marks Anglican Church in Sydney, Australia. Following the service guests were treated to a cruise on Sydney Harbor on an historic ferry before disembarking at Watsons Bay for the reception. The wedding cake had the image of the Sydney Opera House to represent Kirsten’s hometown and an airplane to represent Michael’s love of aviation.
The bride, daughter of Mark and Jan Porter of Australia, graduated from SCEGGS Darlinghurst, the University of Sydney and Harvard Business School. Kirsten is a director of strategic programs for Vista Equity Partners in Chicago.
The groom, son of Michael and Diane Zarrilli of Greenwich, graduated from Brunswick School, Skidmore College and the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. Michael is a senior associate for Booz & Company in Chicago.
The newlyweds honeymooned for a week in Bali, Indonesia before spending two weeks hiking the Himalayas to the Everest base camp, some 17,600 feet above sea level.