Tell us a little about yourselves!
We are Jin and Zibo, born and raised in Beijing but now calling NYC our home, along with our cute Dachshund puppy. Both of us are startup founders. We met at a party in Beijing eight years ago—it was literally love at first sight, as we sat at opposite ends of the table and didn’t speak a single word to each other. Six years later, Zibo proposed to me by the Hudson River, a favorite spot of ours for beautiful sunset walks. Due to our hectic work schedules, we postponed our wedding planning for a year and then spent about nine months organizing it.
Why did you decide to get married where you did?
I visited Piaule when it had just opened during the pandemic—it was love at first sight, again. The moment I stepped onto their main cabin terrace, I told Zibo we would get married here. The interior design feels just like our home—minimal yet homey, sleek yet warm. The wildflowers in the open field and the mountain views capture the best of what the Catskills can offer in a single glance—simply breathtaking. Plus, the Catskills hold a dear place in our hearts. During the toughest times of the pandemic, we spent two months in an upstate cabin with our college friends, and it was the best time of our lives. Choosing Piaule as our venue was the easiest decision of the entire wedding planning process.
How many guests did you have?
40.
What was your budget?
150k.
Tell us about your outfits.
Bride: I really wanted a big sculptural dress for my main ceremony. The moment I stepped into the Oscar De La Renta dress, I knew I had found 'the one.' Pictures don’t do it justice—you have to see it in 360 degrees. It’s very big and bulky, but the front slit shows a lot of leg, which actually makes the dress look fun, dynamic and airy. Additionally, the drop waist adds a fashionable twist. There is a flower centerpiece at the dress opening which I adore! To me, it’s the best way to showcase that signature Oscar De La Renta floral element—just one large piece at the front. I specifically asked my tailor to cut away some fabric to highlight the flower even more. With such a voluminous dress, I wanted simple makeup, a sleek bun, and a clean neckline to balance the whole outfit. So, I chose the Van Cleef & Arpels Frivole diamond earrings because they are elegant yet not overpowering. I opted for a simple open-toe kitten heel from Alexandre Birman, again adding a bit of lightness to the entire sculptural ensemble.
For my reception and party, I knew it had to be Vivienne Westwood. That punk, romantic style was exactly what I was looking for. Plus, their satin fabric flows so beautifully—anyone would look like a Greek goddess in this fabric, especially since the style I chose draped perfectly in all the right places. I also love a drop shoulder—it’s so romantic. To complement the flowy, soft dress, I opted for a lazy, 'effortlessly' messy bun at the back and some side bangs. To enhance the punk aspect of this outfit, I paired it with my old white Converse from college—a fun little Easter egg. I've always worn these dirty Converse to parties, so I figured for my own wedding party, I should wear them again. They're also great for dancing. For earrings, I chose a pair from Shushu/Tong. They feature pearls with a huge bowtie, adding a playful touch. They're also quite large, which I wanted as a distinctive addition to this outfit.
Groom: For the tuxedo, I just wanted a classic style with a modern cut. To me, the wedding is not about the tuxedo. It just needs to be clean, honor the occasion, and make me feel most “me”. I knew the exact style and cut I wanted, and took the time to get it right.
What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?
The most important aspect for us was to have a wedding that both of us would remember forever, while also ensuring our guests were happy. That's why we kept it small!
Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?
We really wanted a modern chic wedding reflecting our Chinese roots. So, we chose red as our accent color and lanterns as our main décor. Our welcome signage is literally fully burgundy red.
A special shoutout to our amazing planner, Lara from By Lara, who hand-painted all the lanterns herself with Chinese motifs like bamboo and Prunus mume.
Any tips for couples getting married?
Prepare earlier and keep a spreadsheet. Things can get overwhelming sometimes!
Do more research to know what you want. Every detail needs your decision. Knowing exactly what you want will make the process smoother and easier for everyone.
Be patient. Planning a wedding might be the first major project you work on together as a couple. It’s normal to have disagreements—just remember to be patient with each other. Communication is crucial.
And finally, enjoy the process!
Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?
We got so lucky with our vendors—we truly adore everyone!
By Lara, our planner, makes our dream a reality. After only a few conversations, she completely understood our vision. Thanks to her, we met all the amazing vendors. She is truly a godsend for us. Not only is she amazing at planning and design, but her attention to detail is impeccable. From the tablecloth color to the exact timing of every event, she never misses a beat.
Kindred, our amazing photographers. Elle and Zach work so well together, blending film and digital, capturing multiple angles. They truly saw the moments we valued the most and captured them perfectly through their lenses. They are truly the artist of love.
Aiku Floral. I only sent her the color palette I wanted and a few pictures of my inspirations. She created exactly what I imagined and made it 10 times better. I literally cried when I saw her floral arrangements.
Photographer: Kindred Photography @kindredweddings | Planning: By Lara @bylara.design.planning | Flora: Aiku Floral @aikufloral | Videographer: Kapsule @kapsuleco | Ceremony & Reception Location: Piaule Catskill @piaule | Celebrant: DLE Event @dleeventgroup | Rentals: Table Method
@tablemethod | MUA: Miranda @mirandaisnotbusy | Catering + Beverages: Piaule Catskill @piaule | Cake: Nine Cakes @ninecakes | Stationery: Acqua & Ink @acqua_and_ink | Ceremony Dress: Oscar de la Renta @oscardelarenta | Reception Dress: Vivienne Westwood @vivennewestwood | Suit: Brunello Cucinelli @brunellecucinelli | Veil: Custom Made | Engagement & Wedding Rings: Cartier @cartier | Shoes: Alexandre Birman @alexandrebirman | Ceremony Earrings: Van Cleef & Arpels @vancleefarpels | Reception Earrings: Shushu/Tong @shushu__tong