.Expert tennis player Carol Zhao and DoorDash founder Andy Cog both attended Stanford Educational institution together-- Andy also stayed throughout the fall coming from among Carol's bridesmaids during freshman year-- but it wasn't up until they both earned a degree that they hooked up. After Zhao sustained an injury in the spring of 2019 on the ping pong circuit, she went back to San Francisco, where their roads lastly traversed. "I possessed no concept that what seemed like an occupation tragedy back then will be actually the impetus to the start of our partnership," Carol states. "Now, it thinks that it was actually destiny." Their 1st date took place at the Biergarten in Hayes Valley, San Francisco. "What began as a simple discussion over alcoholic beverages turned into a multi-hour affair that extended multiple pubs in the neighborhood," Andy says. "And also also a hen ramen dinner!" After they started dating (as well as Carol recovered coming from her injury) the ping pong schedule kept Carol traveling close to 10 months a year, so it took severe planning for Andy to lock down a time as well as spot to propose. "In February 2023, I made a decision to propose in Austin, Texas and additionally looped her parents right into my plannings," Andy keeps in mind. "When I arrived, I acted everybody were actually going out for a nice dinner but startled Carol along with my plan. Afterwards, we celebrated all together at a nearby Mexican dining establishment, Suerte."" I enjoyed that it was simple, special, and also private," Carol points out. "Simply the 2 of us during that minute." The bride and groom's wedding ceremony got on Sunday, July twenty, at the Belmond Suite San Michele in the hills of Florence, Italy. Florence was one of the 1st metropolitan areas Carol's parents took a trip to after they acquired married, and Andy had actually regularly wanted to understand a family journey to Europe that he 'd intended to enjoy 2020, however that fell through as a result of the pandemic. "Since our visitors were arising from numerous places around the globe, our company experienced much more pleasant using Florence as our wedding event location," Andy mentions. "As well as our team could not be happier regarding that choice!" They possessed around a year to search areas, go to sites, sample menus, and prepare the itinerary, but it was no little activity. Their planners-- Colin Cowie Activities-- ensured they stayed on keep track of. It was crucial to both that they spend purposeful opportunity with each visitor, so they curated the occasions as well as attendee holiday accommodations along with relationship and community in mind, and also they worked with Cowie and his staff to intend every facet. "They were an outstanding companion to help mold our wedding ceremony festivity and make it revive," Carol says. "During the wedding weekend break, the Colin Cowie Way of life group was actually remarkably detail-oriented as well as accommodated any type of requirement our team had. The level of company was actually a cherry on top of an already incredible weekend break.".