Pietro Brooke Robert Alexander and Sara Apple Maliki exchanged vows on May 22 in a Manhattan art gallery located in SoHo, marking both a personal and professional milestone for the couple. The ceremony took place within one of the gallery’s exhibition rooms, which remained part of the public showing that followed, titled “The Wedding Show.” The event showcased works from 14 artists, including Cristine Brache, John Altoon, and Daniel Healey.
The gallery spans a 7,500-square-foot loft, with the public initially granted access to two of its rooms, while wedding guests explored the entire space. The platform where the couple married remained on display as a focal installation within the exhibition. The newlyweds plan to operate the gallery, named Pietro Alexander, from a portion of the space while living in another section, embracing a lifestyle blending their personal and professional worlds.
Alexander, 28, an art dealer originally from Santa Monica, California, holds a bachelor’s degree in art history and literary arts from Brown University. He previously operated Spy Projects, an art gallery in Los Angeles. Maliki, 33, born in Key West and raised between Florida and Manhattan, is a writer, actress, and filmmaker who uses Sara Apple as her professional moniker. She taught herself screenwriting and co-wrote a film script with actress Julia Fox.
The couple’s relationship began in September 2022 when Maliki contacted Alexander about purchasing a Jaxon Demme artwork for a client. Their in-person meeting led to a swift connection, with Alexander recalling how he quickly developed feelings for Maliki. Despite living on opposite coasts, they maintained a long-distance relationship, which Maliki described as providing her with grounding and confidence, while Alexander credited their partnership with inspiring personal reflection following his father’s death in 2020.
The gallery venue in SoHo holds family significance, having previously been operated by Alexander’s uncle, Brooke Alexander, who passed away in 2022. The gallery space is owned by Emily Alexander, Brooke’s daughter, who invited Pietro to reopen a gallery there. The couple curated a pop-up exhibition in April 2024, which served as a precursor to their full-time venture.
Alexander proposed in March 2025 during Maliki’s visit to Los Angeles, using his maternal grandmother’s wedding band. The proposal took place in Bronson Canyon and was met with an emphatic acceptance. Their wedding ceremony was officiated by Jacob Greenberg, a friend ordained through the Universal Life Church.
Following the ceremony, the gallery doors opened to the public, and the couple’s wedding party transitioned into a larger celebration. Approximately 200 guests enjoyed the space, which featured multiple lounge areas, bars, and a 24-foot grazing table with hors d’oeuvres prepared by Sammy Koolik, a former head line chef at Eleven Madison Park. The couple opted for Key lime pie instead of traditional wedding cake, nodding to Maliki’s Florida roots. Music ranged from disco to ’90s house, played by a DJ stationed at the altar where the ceremony was held.
The event unfolded as a dynamic social gathering, with guests spread throughout distinct rooms fostering varied atmospheres—from intimate family spaces to lively gatherings later in the evening—capturing a blend of art, celebration, and community.