Sheila Hill and Michael King first met at Boston College when they were both collegiate athletes—she was on the lacrosse team, and he played baseball. “We didn’t start dating until Michael was in New York playing for the Yankees,” Sheila says. “I was living and working in New York City, and Michael reached out to reconnect.From there, it was a fairly quick courtship. . .We just knew.” Since then, sports and New York—and, by default, New York sports—have played a major role in their lives (even though Michael is now a starting pitcher on the other coast, for the San Diego Padres—having gotten traded from the Yankees just one week before their nuptials).
When Michael proposed at their first date spot, Barrow Street Ale House in the West Village, after two years of dating, it was instantly clear what their wedding would look like—an homage to New York (with a few nods to baseball). “We knew we wanted to get married in the city we fell in love in, and we have always loved the classic New York aesthetic. . .Frank Sinatra vibes, if you will,” Sheila says. “When we walked into The Pierre, we immediately knew we had our reception venue. From the lavish cotillion room, where we had cocktail hour, to the rotunda with the breathtaking hand-painted wall murals, to the modern yet classic all-white ballroom, it was the perfect medium for our vision.”
Everything about the venue shouted timelessness—which is what Sheila envisioned for her fashion, as well. “I wanted a dress that would stand the test of time but also felt like ‘me’–something formal, elegant, and also seasonal for a NYC wedding,” she says. She worked with The Stylish Bride (and, on the day of the wedding, Stacie the Stylist) to nail down the perfect look—Monique Lhuillier’s Winston, a classic and sleek strapless trumpet style. “I did want something a little more for the church ceremony, so I had a seamstress custom-make tulle sleeves to accompany the dress, and they were absolutely perfect.” She paired the dress with diamond studs gifted by the groom and a ring passed down from her great-great-great-grandmother.
“Ever since I can remember, I envisioned myself with a bridal bun and a natural makeup look on my wedding day, and I stayed true to that vision,” the bride shares. “My beauty team—Elena Miglino and Korey Fitzpatrick of Bad Brides Club—was absolutely fantastic and made me feel my most beautiful while still feeling like myself.” Sheila stayed in her ceremony look most of the day and into the evening, then finished the night in a Rebecca Vallance party dress. “Another classic look, with some flair—a crystal-embellished neckline coupled with a feather-lined bottom trim and an open back that allowed me to more comfortably dance the night away.”
The weekend kicked off with a rehearsal dinner and welcome drinks at the New York Athletic Club. “It perfectly embodies that old-school New York aesthetic we were striving for—and is conveniently located right around the corner from The Pierre,” Sheila says. Then, on December 16, 2023, she walked down the aisle at St. Ignatius Loyola on the Upper East Side. “Getting married in the Catholic church was very important to us, and St. Ignatius Loyola is really one of the most beautiful churches we’ve ever seen. . .It’s incredibly grand while still managing to feel inviting,” Sheila says. “My family has history with this particular church, and it was also an ode to our alma mater. The backdrop, the music, the homily, the vows—it was truly such a special, special ceremony. There were tears. . .Lots of tears—mostly from the groom. Happy, of course!”
As guests boarded a trolley to the reception, the couple hit the streets for portraits—and ran into fellow former Yankee Alex Rodriguez by chance. (“You can’t make this stuff up!” the bride says.) Then they joined guests at The Pierre, where Konstantinos Floral Design had embellished the stunning ballroom with white roses and candlelight.
Sheila’s father, Peter, gave the welcome toast, and the bride’s eldest brother, Brian, who is currently in the seminary, gave a pre-meal blessing. “We had a seated dinner starting with pear burrata salad and a choice of chateaubriand or salmon for the entree, followed by a Ron Ben-Israel wedding cake—to die for!—as well as some passed desserts,” the bride remembers. “Admittedly, I don’t think we even saw the desserts. . .We were too busy getting our groove on!”
Throughout the evening, guests hit the black-and-white checkered dance floor—another New York classic—to the sounds of the Taylor Pace Orchestra. “The reception was a party,” Sheila says. “It was nonstop dancing all night long—we couldn’t get people to their seats to eat!” A favorite moment? “Getting up onstage with the band and singing ‘Wagon Wheel’ with the whole crowd. It’s sort of like my family’s anthem—core memory!”
The party continued at The Pierre’s Two E Bar & Lounge after the band wrapped up, and the couple’s friend, DJ ShaneO, hit the decks alongside a live sax player, Augie Bello. “There was more dancing, drinks, and late-night food,” Sheila says. “And guests received a hat with our wedding slogan: King of the Hill—get it?!”
