An Over-The-Top Wedding at Cipriani 25 Broadway in New York, New York

In a modern world, Alexandra Rizk and Michael Keane found themselves in an old-fashioned romance. After meeting through mutual friends during their college years, the two spent their first Christmas break together, going on dates and getting to know each other. At the time, Michael was studying at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis.

Although they had different career goals, the pair were completely enamored by each other’s passions, dreams and desires. Before heading back to the Academy, Michael was sitting in a car with Alexandra when he warned her about the struggles of dating someone with a military lifestyle. Spending quality time together would surely be their greatest obstacle.

“I heard his words, but I didn’t truly understand what they meant or what this lifestyle would entail,” Alexandra recalls. “But one thing I knew was certain – what we had was too rare, too special to give up on without giving it a formal chance.”

While most long-distance relationships are maintained solely by using technology as a form of communication, Alexandra and Michael found themselves mailing handwritten love letters back and forth. Even when Alexandra moved to New York City to pursue her dreams in production – eventually starting her own company, Rizk Pictures – their relationship continued to grow while Michael attended Nuclear Power school in Charleston and made his way up to Saratoga Springs.

During a vacation in Utah, staying at the Stein Eriksen Lodge with Alexandra’s family, Michael took his then-girlfriend for a romantic evening stroll. Amidst the frigid temperatures, they made their way up to a beautiful gazebo glowing with lights and candles. As soon as they were inside, Michael got down on one knee and proposed as a photographer captured the moment.

“Our family was waiting inside after, along with another surprise – Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Skylar Grey, who sang a cover of ‘Songbird’ by Fleetwood Mac while playing the piano in the lobby,” says Alexandra. “That proposal was very fitting to our relationship in every way – magical.”

With the wedding planning process headed by Matthew David of Matthew David Celebrations, the bride and groom held their ceremony with a full-service mass at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church in New York City. Afterwards, the Commander and Executive Officer – along with other officers on the groom’s submarine – created a traditional arch of swords for the newlyweds, welcoming the bride to the Navy family.

The following reception was hosted by Cipriani at 25 Broadway. Inspired by the bride’s love of Hollywood film and the groom’s maritime background, the wedding décor included a custom-designed stage, quotes from Audrey Hepburn and other Hollywood icons integrated into the linens and gifts, and Cipriani’s own maritime-themed murals and frescoes as the backdrop. As one of the many special touches throughout the wedding, Skylar Gray gave another fantastic performance for the newlyweds and their guests.

“We couldn’t stop smiling,” says Alexandra. “There were no words to describe how we loved every moment of our ceremony and reception. Our families were amazing that day. We couldn’t believe we could start calling each other husband and wife!”