On bended knee in Canton
DATE: April 30 HER STORY: Jessica Lauren Silinonte, 29, was born in Concord, Mass., and grew up in Groton, Mass. She works as a speech-language pathologist at the Milton J. Dance Jr. Head and Neck Center at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center. Her parents, Celia and Joseph Silinonte, live in Groton.
HIS STORY: Connor Francis Maloney, 29, was born in Atlanta and grew up in various places — North Carolina, Maryland, Paris, Tokyo — before settling in Newtown, Conn., for high school. He sells software to the federal government. His parents, Mary and Kevin Maloney, live in Newtown.
THEIR STORY: The two attended Loyola University Maryland and met through mutual friends at the end of their undergraduate careers in 2009.
“I thought he was quite tall. He seemed confident,” Jessica said. “Then I found out that there was a softer side. I had been a little harsh in my initial judgment.”
Connor “made his move” when he asked Jessica what her dress for the senior gala looked like, and then showed up at the event with a suit and tie that matched her outfit. The two became an official couple shortly after.
“That was some effort for a 20-something-year-old man in college,” Jessica said.
Both moved to Baltimore after graduation. Two years later, they moved in together. They now live in Canton.
THE PROPOSAL: Although Connor asked Jessica’s father for permission to propose months earlier, he decided to pop the question on a weekend when her parents were in town.
Connor said he almost blew it a week earlier when he asked her, “How was the ring?” instead of “How was the walk?”
Jessica mentioned the slip to her coworker, who told her that a proposal was coming soon. “He had ring on the brain,” Jessica said. A couple of days later, on a cold January day, the two were walking their dog, Duck, to a park in Canton.
“He got down on one knee,” she recalled. “He made me a little nervous. He seemed a little off. And then I realized it was this. I kind of blacked out at that point. He said some very nice things. And he asked me to marry him.” Jessica was thrilled. “I was surprised,” she said. VENUE: The wedding was held at Loyola University Alumni Chapel and the reception was at Pazo in Fells Point; 180 guests attended.
“We chose Pazo because we realized that we wanted our wedding to feel like we were out to eat with our family and friends,” Jessica said. “Pazo’s ambience and knack for superbly treating and feeding guests made it a rather simple decision.”
FLOWERS AND DECOR: Lana Brown of Fleur de Lis provided the flower arrangements. White flowers, milva roses and succulents were chosen to complement Pazo’s decor.
BRIDE’S DRESS: Jessica wore a Theia gown that had a V-neck bodice embellished with beads, a flowing silk satin skirt and small train. She purchased the dress at Francesca’s Bridal.
BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Bridesmaids wore cocktail-length, one-shoulder black dresses by Mori Lee.
MEN’S ATTIRE: Connor and the groomsmen wore black shawl-collar tuxedos with classic white shirts and black satin bow ties from The Black Tux, an online service.
MUSIC: The band N’Demand provided the music. The couple did the foxtrot to “Coming Home” by Leon Bridges for their first dance.
FOOD AND DESSERT: Guests enjoyed a variety of items from Pazo’s seasonal menu, including avocado and local crab bruschetta and Creekstone Farms hanger steak. Dessert was provided by Travis Marley, executive pastry chef for Foreman Wolf, the restaurant group that owns Pazo. He made a dark chocolate-drizzled vanilla cake with buttercream filling and garnished with fresh flowers, as well as other dessert items.
FAVORS: In lieu of favors, the couple made a donation to BlinkNow, an organization that helps nurture, educate and empower women and children in Surkhet, Nepal. The organization’s founder, Maggie Doyne, is an acquaintance of Jessica’s.
SPECIAL TOUCHES: The couple honeymooned at Peter Island Resort and Spa on Peter Island, British Virgin Islands.