On August 4, 2025, Sheryl Lee Ralph and her husband, Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes, joyfully reaffirmed their love in a dramatic vow renewal on the storied Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The event marked their 20th wedding anniversary and blended theatrical flair with deep emotional resonance.
A Grand Recommitment
What began as an intimate idea evolved into a spectacular gathering for approximately 250 guests. Originally envisioned as a small ceremony, Ralph laughed, “My husband has turned into groomzilla, and his list is twice as long as mine.”
Styled by her daughter Ivy Coco, Ralph wore a strapless white Monsoori Haute Couture gown and an astonishing 80‑foot sheer shawl. That shawl was carried up the 72 stone steps by 22 dancers from Philadanco. The visual was cinematic in scale and precisely choreographed.
As Diana Ross’s classic “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” played, Hughes ascended in a white jacket and met Ralph halfway. He smiled and quipped, “Sheryl was beautiful – is beautiful… She was just all of that and a bag of barbecue potato chips.”
Personal Vows and Powerful Symbolism
The couple exchanged heartfelt handwritten vows amid loved ones, including TV legend Al Roker, members of Ralph’s Delta Sigma Theta sorority, and state dignitaries. The ceremony paid tribute to their marriage’s endurance and growth over two decades.
Ralph reflected on life’s ups and downs, paraphrasing Rocky: “It ain’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” She explained, “In marriage, … people live. People die. Relationships change. You change. Your partner changes… How are you able to get back up again and continue being together? I love that sentiment.”
Long‑Distance Love That Lasts
The couple married on July 30, 2005, and they have maintained a long-distance marriage ever since. Ralph resides in Los Angeles for her acting career, while Hughes remains in Philadelphia. They see each other approximately every two weeks. Ralph once joked about their arrangement: “He has his own life. I have my own life… We view our marriage as a blessing.”
Their relationship began in the early 2000s after meeting through a mutual friend. They both sought counseling early on to nurture communication and form a strong foundation.
Reception and Celebration
Following the ceremony, attendees gathered inside the museum for a festive reception. Philadanco dancers performed, and Ralph surprised guests with a live rendition of Nat King Cole’s “L‑O‑V‑E.” The tone remained celebratory yet poignant, honoring both their love and artistic expression.
Ralph later said, “Fashion for me is absolute theater. I come from the stage, and I love the drama of what you bring on the stage.