It was Arianna Zhuang’s international business major that led her to meet “the one”—but it was her experience in the fashion world that would drive the aesthetic of their wedding. Arianna first met Max Jungreis while studying at George Washington University. “We were both international business majors, so we had some required classes together,” she remembers. “For one of the math lectures we sat next to each other in discussion sessions. We became Facebook friends, but nothing happened until I asked him to be my date to a formal the following semester.” They dated for four years, moving from D.C. to New York City to the Bay Area together and putting their majors to good use: She’s now a data scientist and he’s a venture capitalist.
Then, over Labor Day weekend in 2021, Arianna and Max took a vacation to Hawaii. “Max planned a special sunrise cruise where we went to the remote Makapu’u Beach,” Arianna says. “A drone followed us onto the golden sand, and Max proposed there, with the beautiful blue ocean in the background splashing the dark rocks.”
Their wedding two years later would pay homage to another tropical vacation. “In 2018, we celebrated Max’s birthday at Bulgari Resort in Bali as our first international trip together,” Ariana shares. “After checking in, we went for a walk around the property and happened to see a couple getting married. We always joked that if and when we do get married, we would do it at this stunning property.” When the time finally came, the couple made it a reality, booking the Bulgari for their big day and saying “I do” outside the Bulgari Villa. Stepan Vrzala was there to capture every moment on camera, and not one but two planners handled the details: The couple booked Poétyque Events for logistical planning and Her Maid of Honor for aesthetics.
The bride’s vision was all about high fashion. “Fashion has always been a big part of my life, having interned in Notting Hill in London, worked for a fashion magazine in Milan, and worked for contemporary designers in wholesale,” Arianna says. “I wanted my guests to feel like they were coming to a big fashion event. A recent Chanel Cruise collection in Monte Carlo perfectly embodied what I wanted: cosmopolitan beach glam.”
Of course, her own fashion was no exception, and it began at the welcome party. “My dress for the welcome dinner was very special,” she says. “It was made by Indonesian couture designer Adrian Gan, who beautifully captured the essence of three cities that made me the person I am today—New York attitude embodied in an LBD, a Tokyo crane symbolizing longevity and lasting love, and Shanghai gold representing my Chinese name’s character.” (The Japanese crane also featured in the couple’s invitation suite by Duarana.)
“I knew I was a Zuhair Murad bride the minute I saw his designs on the runway,” Arianna says. “Ever After Miami is the only store in the United States to have Zuhair Murad trunk shows that carry the full bridal collection. I flew to Miami and found my perfect dresses—not one, but two.” She went classic and timeless in a corseted lace gown for the ceremony, while her second dress was signature sparkly Zuhair. Indonesian makeup artist Nia Sylviana doubled down on the pretty.
On May 18, 2023, the couple wed beneath a vibrant floral arch of coral, fuchsia, and purple blooms by florist Khayalkini. The altar was unique. “The ceremony was set on the infinity pool of the villa, with the high flower arch connecting the vast ocean in the background,” the bride describes. Guests were seated around the pool, and live strings played Arianna down the aisle.
The couple opted not to have an official wedding party. “Everyone who went to Bali was so special to us,” Arianna says. “Surrounded by our closest friends and families who flew thousands of miles from different parts of the world to celebrate with us, I was overwhelmed with emotions and love. The ceremony was truly one of the most magical moments of my life.”
As an homage to the wedding’s fashion inspiration, cocktail hour featured an oversized magazine cover as a photo booth; guests could step inside and pose. Then, they were led into a stunning reception space that abounded with more flowers. “The menu design drew inspiration from Bali, and we served fresh seafood prepared by the Bulgari chef,” Arianna says. A live band performed, and the newlyweds cut into an artistic cake by LeNovelle Cake. They saved their first dance, however, for the after-party.
“We did a tango as our first dance,” the bride says. “Earlier in the year we had gone to Buenos Aires, where we took tango lessons, so we wanted to have fun with our first dance and present a performance for our guests who flew all the way to Bali.” That performance kicked off the party. “I made sure the after-party felt like a lounge club, so guests could fully unwind and enjoy the night. Desserts were served by an award-winning Bulgari chef, who sweetened the night to end on a high note.”
As the party came to a close, fireworks—in the same vibrant wedding hues of fuchsia, pink, and purple, no less—exploded over the sea in celebration of the couple’s newest adventure.
