Hearst Castle
“A historic landmark reimagined — rebuilt for beauty, wonder, and deep celebration.”
june 23rd thru the 29th.
Wedding on June 28th.
Hearst Castle became more than a venue, it became a private paradise.
In the months leading up to the wedding, Zuri and Julian oversaw a quiet transformation of the California landmark into a modern estate. Every structure was intentional. Every guest space was considered.
This was a restoration of love, legacy, and land.
The Build out
To accommodate guests on-site in comfort and privacy, a tiered network of semi-permanent structures was constructed across the estate:
Lodging
65 Total Bungalows Built, divided as follows:
20 Signature Bungalows for VIP guests and immediate family
Private gardens, vanity suites, scent diffusers, personal concierge
15 Artist Bungalows for performers, creatives, and press-facing guests
Integrated workspace, gallery shelving, mood-specific lighting
30 Companion Bungalows for extended family and general guests
Smart cooling systems, elevated linens, streamlined comforts
Satellite Bungalows
A smaller set of 4 units built off-site to accommodate special guests (e.g. Maxwell and team) in privacy, just outside the main grounds.
Saturday-Only Guest Hotel
A reserved luxury satellite hotel served as lodging for guests attending only the wedding day. Coordinated shuttle pickup and drop-off provided seamless access to and from the event grounds and airport strip.
Culinary
A temporary estate-wide culinary setup was constructed for seamless daily hospitality service:
Outdoor Estate Kitchen Pavilion
Commercial-grade, fire-approved setup with cooling, prep, and plating stations
Discreetly constructed behind the main assembly lawn, with access points near each event site
Satellite Prep Tents & Chef Stations
Mobile kitchens staged near dinner spaces (Refectory, East Terrace, etc.) for hot food service without delay
On-Call Beverage Service Nodes
Cocktail carts and dessert pass stations housed in sleek modular units, moved as needed
Spa & Wellness Village
A fully immersive wellness experience was developed near the lower gardens, with emphasis on privacy and flow:
Open-Air Spa Lounges
Custom decked flooring with sheer dividers for massage, facial, and steam treatments
Fragrance-infused cooling mists, branded oils, and blackout eye masks provided on arrival
Movement Pavilion
Morning yoga, stretching, and strength training with private instructors
Equipped with eco-mat flooring, sound dome for quiet playlists, and chilled eucalyptus towels
Detox Lounge & Matcha Cart
Quiet tent with low seating, teas, adaptogen tinctures, and small-plate bites
VIPs received custom herbal blends and on-demand nutritionist access
operational
A temporary estate-wide operational setup was constructed for seamless daily operatons:
Lighting & Power Grid
The entire estate was powered by silent generators. LED uplighting and dimmable path lighting created a soft visual language across the grounds. All infrastructure was non-invasive and removed within 72 hours of event close.
Airport Buildout
A private arrival terminal (ZJA) was installed at Hearst Private Airport to welcome guests arriving via private charter or domestic transfer.
On-site Staffing
Over 180 staff members were deployed throughout the week. Including estate coordinators, private chefs, hospitality liaisons, drivers, stylists, security, AV specialists, florists, and wellness providers
Security & Privacy
Discreet, full-perimeter security detail managed by a private firm with two on-site surveillance teams and signed NDAs from all staff and guests.
Estate Command & Concierge
A 24/7 command center operated from a concealed estate wing, coordinating guest needs, transport, wardrobe, and wellness.
The Estate Command Center functioned as a 24/7 nerve hub, it included:
A real-time digital dashboard tracking 200+ guests, 80+ staff, and 65 bungalows
Separate radio networks for transport/logistics and glam/production
An internal wardrobe command board connecting fittings, garment delivery, and emergency tailoring
A backup generator, scent regulation monitors, and private medical triage protocol
Concierge Deployment:
1 dedicated concierge was assigned to each of the 20 signature bungalows, trained in etiquette, discretion, and estate protocol
10 rotating concierge managed artist and companion bungalows on staggered shifts
A mobile concierge team floated across common areas, rehearsals, and events, ensuring VIP movement remained seamless
The Guest App:
Guests were onboarded into a custom-designed app exclusive to the week. Features included:
Personal schedules (updated live via Command)
Fitting reminders and shuttle alerts
Dietary preferences and private dinner RSVPs
Scent and pillow menu selections
Push notifications for event time changes, route guidance, and concierge chat
Key Teams at Command:
The Duval Events Executive Staff handled guest itineraries and interfaced with personal assistants
Studio Atelier's Atelier Liaison coordinated with stylists, tailors, and on-site steamer crews
The Wellness Coordinator tracked guest preferences around scent, diet, and spa access
Security Dispatch managed perimeter access and responded to any off-schedule movement
Guest Touchpoints Tracked Live:
Arrival and departure times
Wardrobe fittings and styling sessions
Dietary needs and culinary schedules
Spa appointments and recovery blocks
Press calls, interviews, and content capture
Custom scent changes or room adjustments
Redundancy & Discretion:
Nothing went unchecked. Command ran a full redundancy schedule with backups of every guest file, transport manifest, and emergency plan. Radio communication was secure, logged, and professionally moderated. Concierge training emphasized subtlety, spatial awareness, and anticipatory care.
