Ray Romano's Daughter Ally Romano Marries Zachary Wilezol in 'Old-World Italian Garden' Wedding in NYC (Exclusive)

Ally Romano is celebrating a new chapter in her love story!

The 34-year-old daughter of Ray Romano married Zachary Wilezol on Sept. 21 at the iconic New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue in New York City. They were joined by 254 guests for the glamorous occasion.

Ally tells PEOPLE that she and Wilezol, 35, were set on marrying in Manhattan because it's where they first met and fell in love. They chose the historic landmark — designed in the Beaux-Arts style and known for its grand marble facade, soaring ceilings and ornate detailing — for their venue as it perfectly "encapsulated the city and would be appreciated by all."

"I had actually seen some photos of a wedding in the library and was wowed by how gorgeous the building is. It was the first venue we saw, and although we went looking at a few others, we knew it was the one immediately," Ally recalls.

She jokes that their guest list quickly swelled to match the sprawling space. "Initially, we said we wanted no more than 100 people — and then the library came along and the invite list exceeded 250," she explains, noting that she and Wilezol had one simple goal for their big day: "What was most important to us was making sure that whatever we did felt like us. We wanted it to be one big, fun party for all of our friends and family."

To help bring to life their vision of an "old-world Italian garden" theme — a nod to Ally's Italian-American heritage — the couple worked with highly sought-after celebrity event planner Marcy Blum, whose A-list clients include LeBron James, Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent, and Bill Gates' daughter Jennifer Gates and Nayel Nassar.

For the nuptials and cocktail hour, the library's Astor Hall was filled with lush, locally grown florals by Missi Flowers to create a "formal garden feel." The reception venue, the Celeste Bartos room, was designed to look like a dinner in an Italian garden courtyard with a "moody" color palette of greens, pinks and reds and green toile cushions on the dining chairs.

As guests arrived, they were served champagne with petite grape baskets filled with smoked camembert, fig jam and balsamic glaze.

The evening ceremony began at 7 p.m., and Ally was escorted down the aisle by her father Ray to a strings performance of Etta James' "At Last."

She wore a two-piece look by Israeli designer Dana Harel from Mark Ingram, featuring a duchesse satin skirt and top in a "candlelight" color instead of classic white, along with Jimmy Choo shoes.

"I actually didn’t go for it at first," she says of her bridal ensemble. "But once I tried it on, with this amazing veil that was adorned with peach flowers and green leaves, I knew it was the one."

In a sentimental touch, Ally had a piece of fabric cut from her mom Anna Romano's wedding dress and attached it to her bouquet. She also wore her mom's earrings and bracelet.

For the afterparty, Ally changed into a vintage John Galliano dress from Happy Isles in N.Y.C. She also ditched her heels for a fun, matching footwear moment with her new husband.

"I'm a sneaks gal, so Zack and I wore customized Air Force 1s with our initials stitched on the back of each heel," she explains. "I had pink stitching and laces, and Zack's were black."

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During the emotional ceremony, which was officiated by Ally and Wilezol's friend Ben Eisenstein, the pair exchanged handwritten vows — a moment the bride says was "one of my favorite parts of the entire weekend."

"I loved our ceremony," she adds. "It was light, sweet, emotional and funny as well. Right after it ended, I told Zack I wanted to do it all again."

Following the ceremony, guests gathered for the cocktail hour, where they enjoyed passed hors d'oeuvres as well as a towering 24-foot tavola toscano station and two sprawling raw bars with caviar. As everyone made their way to the Bartos room for dinner, strings players lined the halls of the library and performed live music.

The three-course dinner, catered by authentic Italian Acquolina, featured an antipasto for the first course — salad with figs and Humboldt Fog cheese. The second course included a porcini mushroom lasagna and for the main course, coffee-marinated short rib and branzino.

Ally, who specializes in publicity in the hospitality industry, tells PEOPLE that having "amazing" food was an absolute must for the wedding. "Food and dining has always been a crux of our relationship," she explains. "We wanted to put food and drink at the forefront and make sure not one person was thirsty or hungry. I think we accomplished that!"

The couple chose a petite, three-tier wedding cake (from gluten-free bakery Lael Cakes) with hand-textured organic fondant decorated with sculpted fruit blossoms. The flavors included Earl Grey, olive oil, berry and vanilla and vanilla.

While guests were dancing, trays of cookies from Circo's — Ally's mom's favorite Italian bakery in Brooklyn — were set out. In honor of Wilezol's love of Entenmann's treats, the afterparty featured "a full-on bakery" full of cakes, pastries and more from the brand.

During the reception, the father-of-the-bride gave a sweet speech in honor of his daughter and new son-in-law. “The toast was funny and heartfelt with spot-on comedic timing, as one would expect," Blum tells PEOPLE of the Everybody Loves Raymond star.

Guests were entertained by Élan Artists' Rhythm Collective, a 16-piece band with string and horns sections, as well as a set by DJ YaGirlAsh.

As a fun nod to their N.Y.C. love story, the newlyweds set up a hot dog truck and gifted their guests flowers wrapped in New York Times newspapers at the end of the night. They also gifted everyone suede keepsake bookmarks, made by Swell Press, who created all of the wedding stationery products.

Ally and Wilezol first met through "friends of friends" at Beauty Bar in May 2021. "He spilled martinis all over me and told me I looked like Carmella Soprano — I was smitten," she recalls to PEOPLE, jokingly adding, "There's more to that story!"

After nearly two years of dating, Wilezol popped the question on April 14, 2023, at Ally's apartment, and the pair enjoyed a casual date night after the proposal with dinner at Arthur & Sons and a Broadway show (Shucked).

As Ally looks back on the couple's magical wedding surrounded by all of their loved ones, she says the day "exceeded every expectation."

"[It was] the wedding of my dreams," she raves. "I could not have worked with a better team and have my vision executed in any other way. I am truly grateful to have worked with such incredible and talented people."