In December 2021, Mariah Ward faced a difficult decision over dinner with her mother in New York City’s L’Artusi restaurant. At 26, she was preparing to move from her hometown of Hingham, Massachusetts, to Manhattan’s Upper West Side for a new role in investment strategy at global asset manager BlackRock. Although the opportunity aligned with her career goals, the prospect of leaving her family was emotionally challenging.
After several sleepless nights, Ward committed to the relocation, focusing on building her professional network. Before starting her position, she contacted 150 colleagues at BlackRock via email and video calls, eventually connecting with each one. During this period, she encountered Charlie Hammel, a 28-year-old colleague from a different department. They had previously met in a company Zoom call, but Ward didn’t initially recall Hammel when they met in person, prompting her to apologize and suggest meeting for coffee.
The meetings led to a growing friendship marked by shared interests beyond work, including Ward’s passion for needlepoint, which Hammel eagerly embraced. Hammel, who grew up in Watchung, New Jersey, and played lacrosse at Drew University, found Ward’s personality engaging and developed feelings for her over time. Despite company policies regarding workplace relationships, the two became romantically involved in July 2022 and informed their managers.
As Ward settled into city life, she established a weekly social group with friends, helping to create a sense of community. Hammel's support was central to her adjustment, and they shared quiet evenings engaging in crafts and hobbies. The couple’s favorite date night includes visiting a needlepoint shop in the West Village followed by dinner at L’Artusi, the restaurant where Ward had her emotional dinner nearly two years earlier.
Sharing a one-bedroom apartment since February 2024, the couple merged their lives while accommodating Hammel’s extensive Lego collection. On October 19, 2024, Hammel proposed during a walk in Beacon Hill, a neighborhood significant to Ward’s past.
The couple chose Newport, Rhode Island, for their wedding on May 30, 2026, selecting The Bohlin, a waterfront event venue, for both ceremony and reception. Prior to their public vows, they exchanged private ones on a boat in Newport Harbor to emphasize their personal commitment. Approximately 150 guests attended the ceremony, which featured a Gilded Age mansion backdrop, live music, and readings including an Irish blessing from Ward’s aunt. The officiant was Ward’s childhood babysitter, whom she considers a sister.
Both bride and groom contributed to the wedding aesthetics, needlepointing decorations such as table numbers, the ring bearer’s pillow, and chair signs. Ray Charles’s “Hallelujah I Love Her So,” a favorite of Ward’s, was played as they exited the ceremony.
Looking ahead, the couple plans to relocate to Massachusetts and start a family. Ward envisions repurposing the needlepoint table markers as creative monthly announcements for their child’s growth, a nod to social media trends. The couple credits their relationship for grounding their personal and professional lives amid the challenges of adapting to a new city and career.