Miami- Mets hero Mike Piazza made the catch of his life yesterday – tying the knot in a candlelit ceremony with his Playboy Playmate bride, Alicia Rickter, before yachting to a lavish island reception.
An array of pinups and sports stars, including former Mets Al Leiter and John Franco, and Detroit Tigers catcher Ivan Rodriguez, watched the couple say “I do” in Miami’s St. Jude’s Church before catching two opulent motorboats to exclusive Fisher Island.
They dined in the Vanderbilt Mansion’s ballroom, decorated with seashells, roses and orchids in a lavish white-beach-meets-Versailles theme.
The guest list consisted of an intimate 120 people, including only two former teammates.
Yesterday’s ceremony was the climax of three days of partying by the picture-perfect pair and their pals.
It spelled an end to Piazza’s high-octane bachelor life, in which he romanced a bevy of babes, including Rickter’s fellow Playmate, Darlene Bernaola.
Yesterday, the former “Baywatch” babe and Killian’s beer spokesmodel arrived at the church in an ivory Rolls-Royce, wearing a white satin Vera Wang gown and silver shoes, and carrying a nosegay of ivory-colored roses.
Five bridesmaids, including playmates Brande Roderick and Lisa Dergan and “Baywatch” bombshell maid-of-honor Angelica Bridges – who set the couple up – wore plunging plum-colored Vera Wang dresses.
Fashion addict Piazza was dapper in a charcoal-gray suit, silver tie and pink rose boutonniere. He perfectly matched his four groomsmen and best man – his brother Tony.
After emerging from the candle-lit ceremony and kissing on the church steps for photographers, the pair headed for cocktails at the Miami Beach home of Madonna pal and marketing honcho J.R. Ridinger.
From there, the wedding party sailed in 90- and 119-foot yachts to the historic mansion, where Rickter personally picked the stunning décor.
A feast of crab cakes, green salad with figs and aged goat cheese, followed by a filet and sea bass duo, was served at banquet tables.
After dinner, the newlyweds planned to take to the floor for their first dance, “At Last” by Etta James, and later spend their wedding night in Miami’s posh Mandarin Oriental.
The celebrations yesterday followed a rowdy rehearsal dinner Friday night in Cafa Tua, widely considered as South Beach’s best restaurant.
The bash lasted until 12:30 a.m. when Piazza and Rickter headed home, while the catcher’s four brothers and father went on to a party on Sunset Island, held by hot Miami Beach nightclub, Prive.
Thursday night, the future Mr. and Mrs. Piazza held simultaneous bachelor and bachelorette parties – before meeting up at Miami hot spot, The Red Room.
To celebrate his final hours of freedom, Piazza hosted a low-key steakhouse dinner with close pals.
Piazza took just six friends, including his agent, Danny Lapano, to his party at Prime 112 in South Beach, where the group feasted on oysters, lobster and steak, and cigars washed down with a magnum of red wine, and “a lot of drinks,” said a source.
Rickter and 11 of her pals took a private table in Nobu at the Shore Club where the bombshell was presented with a huge chocolate cake as the group sang “Happy marriage to you!” to the tune of “Happy Birthday.”
As for the future – Piazza, whose $91 million contract ends this year, has been tight lipped about the next step of his career and it’s not known if the new couple with shack up in the catcher’s $4 million TriBeCa condo or his Miami home.