Destined to Love

In a scene that seems straight out of a romantic movie, Zarina and Michael’s love story began at a Billie Eilish concert - a night when every note and glance hinted at destiny’s design. Just weeks before their fateful meeting, Zarina had penned every detail of her ideal partner in a journal. When Michael entered her life, he embodied those very traits, as if the universe had been quietly orchestrating their union all along. Their connection is a tapestry of synchronicities: whispered dreams foretelling Michael’s name, a spontaneous wedding date marked on their very first encounter, and countless moments of undeniable cosmic timing. Together, Zarina and Michael remind us that when intuition guides the heart, every sign leads to a love written in the stars.

Zarina, your choice to wear a black wedding dress was bold, symbolic, and breathtaking. Can you share what that decision meant to you on both a personal and cosmic level? 

For me, wearing a black wedding dress was more than just a fashion choice—it was a manifesto. A declaration of confidence, of breaking the rules, of creating my own traditions.   On a personal level, black has always been my color. It’s where I feel the most powerful, the most myself. It represents strength, elegance, and individuality. I never wanted to follow convention just for the sake of it—I wanted my wedding to reflect who I truly am.   On a cosmic level, black is the color of the universe itself. The cosmos is 85% dark matter—pure potential, the very essence from which everything is created. To me, that’s a reminder that we are the architects of our own reality. We have the power to shape our lives, our love, our destiny.   Mike and I stood together in perfect harmony—him in a black tuxedo, me in my Vera Wang Bride black gown—while all our guests were dressed in white. The contrast was striking, intentional. It symbolized the balance of light and dark, creation and possibility.   Wearing black on my wedding day was my way of embracing that power. Of honoring the infinite possibilities that exist when we dare to create our own path.

How did it feel to stand outside the Pronovias x Vera Wang boutique and realize you were facing the very dress you once dreamed of? 

It felt like pure magic—one of those surreal moments where time folds in on itself, and you realize the universe has been conspiring all along. Two years earlier, I had stopped in front of that very boutique, mesmerized by a Vera Wang gown, not knowing it would manifest into my reality. And there I was, standing in the exact same place, about to try on the dress.   I got chills. It was a full-circle moment, a reminder that our dreams are always finding their way back to us. The universe speaks in synchronicities—we just have to be open to listening.

You wore six different gowns throughout your celebration. How did you select each one, and what did they represent about your journey and identity?   

Each dress I wore throughout our wedding celebration told a different story—a reflection of my journey, my style, and the magic of the moment.   The night before the wedding, I stepped into a custom Michael Costello gown, a masterpiece hand-sewn by Michael himself. My stylist surprised me with a FaceTime call, and there he was, sharing his vision—a white Chantilly lace and silk gown with intricate beading at the hip and a lace train, echoing the drama of my black wedding dress. It felt destined, especially since I had modeled for Michael’s runway show in the past, making this moment even more special. I knew instantly this had to be the first dress my friends and family saw me in.   For the rehearsal dinner, I slipped into Pronovias’ Sting, an effortlessly chic mini in mikado silk with a sweetheart neckline and low-cut back. The moment I tried it on, it was clear—it was the one. Sleek, structured, and perfect for dancing the night away with loved ones.   For the wedding ceremony, I wore my Vera Wang Bride x Pronovias gown—bold, poetic, and deeply personal. As the celebration continued, I changed into Atelier Pronovias’ Angelic, a dazzling mermaid-cut gown covered in intricate beading and sequins, catching the light with every step. It was elegance in motion, sculpting my silhouette like it was made just for me.   Later, for the cake-cutting and first dance, I transformed into a princess in my Ese Azenabor Couture gown—a champagne-colored dream with voluminous layers, crystal embellishments, and delicate rose appliqués. The corseted bodice, draped with strands of pearls and crystals, made it pure magic. Finally, for the after-party, I slipped into the show-stopping Netta Ben Shabu Mercury Mini, a sparkling, hand-beaded Swarovski crystal dress I had fallen in love with the moment I saw it online.   Each of these six gowns captured a different facet of who I am, making this celebration feel like a living dream—one I got to experience in every shade of elegance, power, and romance.

Your entire wedding felt like a powerful manifestation of love, destiny, and synchronicity. Would you say the universe was speaking to you through signs along the way? 

Absolutely. I believe that we create our own reality. Ask, and it’s given—but we need to be clear in what we ask for. The universe responds to our intentions. Along the way, it felt like everything was aligning perfectly, as if the universe was guiding us. But what’s just as important is trusting that everything is always working out for me, even if we don’t see the full picture right away. It’s like the signs and synchronicities were subtle reminders that we are on the right path, and everything was unfolding exactly as it was meant to.

Lastly, for those still waiting for “the one,” what would you say about trusting the process, listening to your intuition, and believing in love’s divine timing?

  For those still waiting for “the one,” I would say trust the process. Trust that everything has its divine timing. Listen to your intuition—it will guide you, even when the path isn’t clear. Love often comes when you least expect it, but it always arrives exactly when it’s meant to. Be patient with yourself and the journey. Everything you need is already on its way to you. Just trust that the universe has a plan, and when the time is right, love will find you in the most beautiful way.