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.

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.