Ray Romano Daughter Wedding: What Most People Get Wrong About the Library Nuptials

So, everyone knows Ray Romano as the guy who spent nine years navigating the hilariously mundane chaos of family life on Everybody Loves Raymond. But honestly, watching him transition into a real-life Father of the Bride is way more interesting than anything we saw on CBS.

When his only daughter, Alexandra "Ally" Romano, tied the knot with Zachary Wilezol in late 2024, it wasn't just another Hollywood event. It was a massive, 250-plus person takeover of one of the most iconic landmarks in the world. And no, it didn't involve a sitcom-style disaster with a giant tower of cannoli or a meddling Marie Barone figure.

Basically, it was a masterclass in "Old-World Italian" meets "New York Sophistication."

The Venue That Changed Everything

Originally, Ally and Zack wanted something small. Like, 100 people max. That was the plan. But then they walked into the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue.

If you've ever been there, you know it’s basically impossible to stay "small" once you see those marble stairs and the Beaux-Arts architecture. The library didn't just host the wedding; it dictated the scale of it. Suddenly, that 100-person guest list ballooned to 254 people.

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Kinda funny when you think about Ray joking on Live with Kelly and Mark about how much the "doves alone" were going to cost him. He wasn't entirely wrong—the budget for a venue like that is no joke.

A Dress That Wasn't Exactly "White"

You'd expect a classic white gown for a library wedding, right? Ally went a different way. She chose a Dana Harel ensemble from Mark Ingram Atelier. It was "candlelight" white—think softer, creamier, and way more "Italian garden" than "stark modern."

It was a two-piece look with a Bardot top and a duchesse silk skirt. But the real kicker was the veil. It was adorned with peach flowers and green leaves. It basically brought the garden indoors.

Also, can we talk about the shoes? She started in Jimmy Choos but eventually swapped into custom sneakers. That’s a pro move. If you’re walking across those marble floors all night, you aren’t doing it in six-inch heels without paying for it the next morning.

Sentimental Touches You Might Have Missed

Ally didn't just buy a whole new wardrobe and call it a day. She incorporated some serious family history:

• She had a piece of fabric from her mother Anna Romano’s original wedding dress sewn into her bouquet.
• She wore her mom’s earrings and bracelet.
• For the afterparty, she did a total 180 and changed into a vintage John Galliano dress.

Ray’s Performance as Father of the Bride

Everyone wanted to know: did he do a bit? Well, yeah, sort of.

Ray escorted Ally down the aisle while a string quartet played Etta James’ "At Last." Later, during the reception, he gave the toast. According to celebrity planner Marcy Blum, the speech was exactly what you’d expect: heartfelt, emotional, but delivered with the kind of comedic timing only a guy with three Emmys can pull off.

It’s one thing to play a dad on TV. It’s another thing to be the guy writing the check for the library and watching your only daughter get married. Ray’s been married to Anna for 37 years, which is basically a century in Hollywood years, so the family vibes were heavy that night.

The Food: A 24-Foot Table and Entenmann's?

Since Ally works in hospitality PR, the food was never going to be "chicken or fish." They hired Acquolina for a three-course Italian feast.

We’re talking porcini mushroom lasagna and coffee-marinated short rib. But the real star was the tavola toscano—a 24-foot-long table of Tuscan appetizers.

And because they’re real New Yorkers, the high-end stuff was balanced out by some legendary local staples:

1. Circo’s Pastries: Trays of cookies from the famous Brooklyn bakery (a favorite of Anna Romano).
2. The Entenmann’s Bakery: Zack is apparently a huge fan, so the afterparty featured a full-on spread of Entenmann's cakes and pastries.
3. The Hot Dog Truck: Because no NYC wedding is complete without a midnight hot dog.

Life After the Big Day

If you think the excitement ended with the last dance, think again. Just a year after the wedding, in November 2025, Ally announced some even bigger news. She and Zack are expecting their first child.

Ray Romano is officially becoming a grandfather.

It’s a big shift for the Romano clan. Ally’s brother Matt also got married recently (to Erica Jane in Palm Springs), and the twins, Matt and Greg, just released a documentary about growing up in Ray's shadow. The family is growing, the kids are moving out, and Ray is finally seeing the "overachiever" drive in his kids that he always joked he lacked.

What You Can Learn From the Romano Wedding

If you’re planning a wedding and looking at the ray romano daughter wedding for inspiration, here are the actual takeaways that matter:

• The Venue Dictates the Vibe: You can’t force a "boho" wedding into a marble library. Ally embraced the "Moody Italian Garden" theme to match the grand scale of the building.
• Mix High and Low: You can have a 24-foot Tuscan table AND Entenmann’s donuts. In fact, people will probably remember the donuts more.
• Comfort is King: Wear the sneakers. Change into the vintage Galliano. Don’t spend your own wedding in pain.
• Family Details Matter: That scrap of her mom’s dress in the bouquet cost $0 but was probably the most meaningful thing in the room.

To keep up with how the family is handling the transition to "Grandpa Ray," you can follow Ally’s updates on social media or look for Ray's latest interviews, where he’s undoubtedly already working on material about diaper changes and "doves" for the next generation.