Marian and Jim | Wequassett Inn | Grace Ormonde's Real Weddings

After being alone for nearly four decades love captured Maria Battaglia and Jim McAleenan by complete surprise and just in the nick of time. Maria, an internet marketing executive, and James, a patent attorney, met on a warm May night in Boston where they both attended a party hosted at a popular downtown bar named Brandi Pete’s. 

Jim spotted Maria and waited for an opportunity to talk to her. It wasn’t long before they were chatting up a storm and a romance was born. An old-fashioned courtship followed and this active couple filled their time biking, running and racing their way across New England. By May of the following year, they were engaged on the rocky beaches of Rockport, Massachusetts. 

Since this was the first marriage for both of them, they already knew that they wanted to be married on the ocean in Cape Cod in an intimate ceremony surrounded by close friends and family. They picked the Wequassett Resort in Chatham for their elegantly casual wedding. Maria wanted every detail to be perfect, from the flowers to the décor, so she employed the services of Chad Michael Peters who helped bring her vision to life, and even went on a shopping trip with the groom to find the perfect suit and tie.

 

 

The wedding cake was custom designed in their lovebird theme, and tasted just as delicious as it looked beautiful. When it came time to choose their photographer, the decision was easy: they chose longtime family-friend of the groom, Felice Boucher. They knew her style of telling a story through pictures was exactly what they wanted to remember their day.

When all was said and done, every detail was perfect. “We look back fondly at what a special day it was for us to share the start of our lives together and we feel profoundly grateful that we found one another … in the nick of time,” says Maria.

Chatham Bars Inn Weddings | Laura and Bob | The Tasting

What a whirlwind of a weekend, every minute marked by the best weather of the year yet. Today I met up with Lauren from Person and Killian Photography for a fun filled day of wedding activities with my bride, her mom and charming fiance. Lauren took the couple out for their engagement photography. She had an incredible day at the Cape's very best five star hotel, The Chatham Bars Inn. I sent Lauren and my bride and groom out to have fun while I worked with the staff of the hotel to give our client an experience in the process of planning her wedding, that she would never forget.

First, I felt ultra special to have the entire grand ballroom of the hotel and a special table (the same exact table where my husband and I celebrate our anniversary every year) as a private getaway tasting lunch at this my favorite of all hotels in the world. How can you not fall in love with the charming and devoted staff and the timeless elegance and class of this tony hotel and resort? The table and presentation sideboard laid with an eclectic and controlled mix of glass, crystal and antique silver trays was the perfect backdrop to the THREE tasting cakes that the pastry chef of the hotel specially prepared for the day. My bride wants to skip the cake, but I beg, please, please the raspberry cake is DIVINE. Bobby and I hold a majority now, and I think I might just be able to sway my lovely lunch date, the boss and mother of the bride. Of course, we must serve the highlight of my lunch the lemon doughnuts with sage sugar and blue berry  coulis. Every morsel, every presentation, every sip of wine was thoughtful and perfectly presented and prepared. Even I am totally and completely impressed. Chatham Bars Inn job well done!!

We ended our tasting and Bob and I escorted our dates across the beach and to the south lawn of the property and discussed many other details for the wedding. Champagne glasses in hand and a warm glow of the day capped off for me, a new level in five star wedding planning. 

A very special thank you to my friend Lauren Killian of Person and Killian Photography for capturing these elegant details. I love keeping my camera in it's case and anxiously awaiting to see your glorious perspective. Of course you never disappoint and continue to amaze and inspire me with your photography. To Rentals Unlimited for their continued commitment to my work and their undying support in the course of this journey that I am on. To my husband for getting up a four this morning to get me the exact flowers I wanted, to my friend and personal assistant for the day, Missy who was delighted with the bride's invitation to share in the day as an official cake and champagne taster. She deserved it after getting her hustle on all day long.

I look forward to working toward an absolute perfect day for my bride and her family.

 

Wequassett Weddings | Maria & Jim

 

Last night, with weather from the gods, my bride Maria was married to Jim at the posh Wequassett Inn and Resort inn Chatham, Massachusetts. Defining "Cape Cod" luxury this boutique resort sits on the beach and has about one of the best views and backdrops to celebrations anywhere on the Cape, or in the world for that matter. The bride and groom looked as if they had stepped off of the pages of Town and Country Magazine. She in vintage beaded couture ball gown with an elegant silhouette and train. The bride carried a world class bouquet fluffy and softly scented peony and the rarest of the rare, Japanese sweat pea. She was radiant and conjured up images of timeless elegance, romance and Grace.The groom was not too shabby himself. He and I had a chance to get to know each other when, as part of my work, I accompanied him to shop for his wedding attire. His classic Armani suit and the new shirt, and melon tie perfectly complemented his strawberry blond hair and ice blue eyes.

Maria and I worked for some time in the planning of this wedding. She has excellent taste so it was easy for us to banter over ideas. She first came to me with a motif of "Modern Birds of  Feather Flock Together". The simple nods to this design esthetic come together to form a sophisticated wedding palette. Of course this is only possible with many, many details coming together in a symphony. The flowers were the chatter of the wedding. Their bold color and sophisticated design looked unbelievable against the stunning ocean blue backdrop of The Wequassett.

Every wedding that I have ever worked on is so much more work that I ever expected it to be. I am always prepared for that and love that adreniline rush as we push to the close of my work. The candles are lit, the tables perfectly set and the scent of heavenly flowers fills the air. There is that magical moment when the fire of a party takes off and last night was no exception. The bride and groom's entrance was enchanting as the swirled and dipped around the dance floor with Gene Kelley and Ginger Rogers flair and it was this moment with the crowds roaring cheer and effusive praise of the wedding, that it was time for me to slip into the background and begin to think about what I would write and what photo I would publish. Of course, Maria in her gown, with the bouquet and feather in her hair would be "my" cover shot. Are you kidding me? GORGEOUS!!!! I worked until midnight to get these photos first, to my bride as a special way to remember her day and our work together.

Maria and Jim, I will always remember your wedding. Of course, we will be friends for life. Congratulations!

A very special thanks to my friend Jenny Williamson, from Jenny's cakes. Collaborating with her is always a thrill and her work is always impeccable. The sugar paste birds in the branches, I can see in many magazines. It is about the cutest cake "topper" that I have seen. Thank you Jenny. It was nice to see you, as always. 

 

Boogy on down to P-Town

 

I am excited to be working with Dottie and Julie on their disco-licious June wedding. I love hip, new style and I love Provincetown- big surprise, right? I think the whole idea of disco done in a modern, hip and fun way is a perfect backdrop for getting down and celebrating the love of these two, totally cool women. (singing) CELEBRATION, come on !

They set the trend and color in their Save the Date, which I love. It was totally easy for me to come up with a sketch to show off their style using the pattern and color which is so hip and fresh and perfect for the deck of The Crown and Anchor in June. Now we are on to dresses. I love the idea of Halston inspired looks, long clean lines, hoop earrings and updated hairstyles that draw inspiration from that oh, so, groovy time in American History.


We are having a ball running through all of the details. I am sure that it will all come together and be the celebration of their lives. Congratulations! Dottie and Julie and thank you for having me as part of your wedding.

Fall Floral Wedding Invitation

I am having a great time working with Amy and her family on their fall wedding at the Chatham Bars Inn. The elegant seaside setting is just amazing and the wedding plans are progressing in rich autumn colors.

We are working toward finalizing the print material and I just love the use of a modern floral motif in antique gold ink on the ivory cards. There will be a lovely and modern aubergine, grosgrain ribbon trim on the enclosure.

The envelope that the gorgeous announcement will come in will have the same floral motif and will be sent with custom stamps. The piece de resistance will be the hand done calligraphy in a flowy, flirty style. I can hardly wait to see them all printed up and ready to go to.