Ballroom Dance Club at Princeton University Brought This Couple Together

Heling and Thomas wed on October 19, 2024, at Princeton University Chapel and held their reception Jasna Polana.

Their Story

During their freshman year at Princeton University, Heling Zhao, who was studying sociology and East Asian studies, and Thomas Gilgenast, who was majoring in chemical and biological engineering, met in a somewhat unlikely place—ballroom dance club.

But sparks didn’t fly until after they had graduated and happened to be back on the Ivy League campus at the same time

“We talked the whole weekend and basically after that were like, ‘OK, we think this is the start of something that is going to really last a long time,’” says Heling.

The Proposal

It was New Year’s Eve, and Heling and Thomas were aboard a train traveling through the Andes Mountains in Peru. But before ringing in 2023, Thomas had a proposal to pull off.

Toward the end of dinner, Thomas faked altitude sickness and said he needed fresh air. So, Thomas and Heling went to the back of the train, “where you could see the stars and the moon shining over the tracks as the train was rolling through,” he says.

Eventually he dropped the act and popped the question. “I love that he did it kind of privately, but then we were able to celebrate with everyone else on the train afterward,” says Heling.

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Details of the Day

Their ceremony on October 19, 2024, was held at Princeton University Chapel. Heling and Thomas decided to process down the aisle together. “I think it really captured this symbolism of us going into this relationship together as partners,” says Thomas.

Afterward, their 120 guests gathered at TPC Jasna Polana, a venue in Princeton. The reception featured lovely white, orange and blue florals accented by chinoiserie decor elements.

The couple wanted to host an East meets West-themed wedding, so they included traditions from both of their cultures (she is Chinese and he is Polish American).

Cultural Traditions

At the reception, there was a shot of water and a shot of vodka poured out for the couple. “[You] take the shots simultaneously, and whoever has the shot of the vodka is supposed to be the more dominant one in the relationship,” says Thomas about the Polish tradition. (Heling got the vodka!)

For the Chinese tea ceremony, the couple changed into traditional outfits brought by Heling’s family members who flew in from Asia for the wedding. The ceremony symbolized “we’re all kind of one family now,” explains Heling.

Aisle Style 

Heling initially found her dress online. “I just instantly knew,” she says about the ball gown with ornate wings draped from the shoulders by Japanese designer Yumi Katsura.

Then, she slipped into something lighter for their first dance and changed one last time into a short gown for the reception.

First Dance

Their choreographed first dance to “Moon River” was sentimental. In college, both of their partners couldn’t make it to a ballroom dance showcase, so Heling and Thomas performed together for the first time to that song.

Honeymoon

They’re planning a trip to Australia in 2026. For now, Heling and Thomas are at home in Philadelphia.

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