Lauren + Jason by Sara De Blas

I’ve always dreamed of a European wedding — something timeless, romantic, and effortless.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

We’re Lauren and Jason — best friends first and partners in life for the past 13 years. We met when we were just 18 and 19, and in many ways, we’ve grown up side by side. Every stage of adulthood — the uncertainty, ambition, growth, and change — we’ve experienced together. There’s something incredibly special about building a life with someone who has known you in every version of yourself.

Jason is ambitious, driven, and deeply generous. He loves working toward his goals and finds genuine joy in seeing the people around him succeed. His support is steady and quiet, but unwavering.

I find the most joy in caring for the people I love. I love hosting, creating meaningful spaces, and bringing friends and family together. Making others feel welcomed and taken care of comes naturally to me. And of course, our dogs are at the centre of our world — they’re truly part of our little family.

We celebrated our wedding surrounded by our closest family and friends back home, and a few weeks later, travelled to Mallorca for an intimate post-wedding shoot — a quiet moment to slow down and soak in this new chapter, just the two of us.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

It was the summer of 2012. I had just graduated from high school, and Jason had just finished his first year of college up in Northern California. That summer, he moved back home to transfer to USC, which is really the only reason our paths even had the chance to cross.

One of our (now former) mutual friends wanted to take me out to meet some new people — specifically a group of guys I had never met before, which included Jason and his friends. Our very first hangout is a little embarrassing in hindsight… it was at a bar in Rowland Heights, one of the only spots around that didn’t card. Naturally, it became the go-to place for underage college kids just trying to feel grown for the night.

Jason was in a similar phase — newly back home, reconnecting with friends, figuring out his next chapter. After that first meetup, we didn’t talk or see each other for a couple of weeks. There were no sparks flying, no deep conversations — just a random summer night that didn’t feel significant at all.

Then, out of nowhere, Jason messaged me on Facebook (which officially dates us). I had missed a hangout our friends went to, and he reached out to say I should come next time. Again, I didn’t think much of it — just another casual invite.

But those casual group hangouts slowly became more frequent. Big group nights turned into smaller plans. Two of our friends had a little summer fling going on, which meant we started doing double dates… and somewhere along the way, without really realising it, we started our own summer fling too.

There wasn’t one defining moment. No grand confession. Just more laughter, more late nights, more comfort. It felt easy. Effortless. Completely unexpected.

And somehow, that little summer fling turned into 13 years.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

I’ve always dreamed of a European wedding — something timeless, romantic, and effortless. While we celebrated our wedding back home surrounded by family and friends, we chose to bring that vision to life a few weeks later through an intimate post-wedding shoot in Mallorca.

We intentionally kept it simple. Aside from our photographer and a delicate bouquet, we didn’t have many vendors involved. The beauty of the setting truly did all the work. Staying at La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel in Mallorca, felt like stepping into everything I had imagined — the old stone architecture, the warm Mediterranean light, the textured walls, the quiet elegance of the property. It was refined yet organic, romantic without feeling staged.

Because it was just the two of us, the entire experience felt relaxed and unhurried. There was no timeline, no pressure — just space to be present with one another. In many ways, it felt like reliving the magic of our wedding day, but in a softer, more intimate way. We were able to slow down, breathe it in, and simply focus on us.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

For our wedding back home, I truly loved the creative process — bringing everything together, hosting our loved ones, and creating an experience for the people who mean the most to us. It was joyful, meaningful, and something I would choose over and over again.

That said, weddings move so quickly. You blink, and it’s over. As much as I tried to stay present, there’s an undeniable pressure that comes with hosting — timelines, guests, logistics. It’s beautiful, but it’s busy.

What made Mallorca so special was that I didn’t have to plan much at all. In a small way, I began to understand why some couples choose to elope. There was something incredibly freeing about having no expectations, no schedule — just the two of us. It felt like stillness after the celebration.

Being able to rewear my wedding dress and walk through Mallorca together felt like pressing pause on time. It allowed us to relive that feeling — but in a softer, slower way. It reminded me that while the celebration is unforgettable, the marriage itself is about the quiet moments.

If I could give one piece of advice, it would be this: find a way to create space for just the two of you. Whether that’s stealing a few minutes alone during your wedding day or planning something intentional afterwards, those moments become the ones you hold onto.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

For our Mallorca shoot, we intentionally kept things simple. The experience was led primarily by our photographer, Sara, whom I found through Instagram while researching Mallorca-based photographers.

There were so many talented artists, but Sara immediately stood out to me. Her work felt effortless, natural, and organic — exactly what I wanted our photos to represent. Nothing overly posed or dramatic, just movement, emotion, and authenticity.

From the moment we met her, she made us feel completely at ease. The entire shoot felt comfortable and relaxed, which allowed us to truly be ourselves in front of the camera. That ease translates so beautifully in the images. I absolutely love her work — she captured the softness and intimacy of that time in a way that feels timeless.

She also introduced us to a local florist for a simple bouquet that complemented the setting perfectly. Everything felt cohesive and understated, which was exactly what we envisioned.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

I went to quite a few bridal appointments before finding my dress, but the moment I tried on my gown by Vivienne Westwood, I immediately knew it was the one. There was something about the structure and draping that felt powerful yet romantic — timeless, but still fashion-forward.

From the beginning, I had a vision of incorporating lace. I was very adamant about wearing long sleeves, and when I came across the lace topper by Danielle Frankel, it felt like the perfect balance. It added softness and delicacy to the sculptural silhouette of the gown, giving it that European, slightly vintage feel I’ve always loved.

The original dress featured its own off-the-shoulder detailing, but I worked closely with a tailor to customise it to better fit my vision. We refined certain elements, requested additional length for a more dramatic flow, and closed the slit to keep the look clean and elegant. It felt incredibly personal by the end — like a collaboration rather than just a dress off the rack.

Jason’s process was much simpler. He visited only a couple of stores before choosing a classic tuxedo from Tom Ford. It was sharp, timeless, and effortless — you truly can’t go wrong with Tom Ford. His look complemented mine perfectly without competing with it.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

Designing my engagement ring was actually one of the easiest decisions for me because I was very involved in the process — Jason jokes that he just had to show up and pay for it.

I always knew I wanted an emerald-cut diamond set on a simple solitaire band. There’s something about the emerald cut that feels understated and refined. It’s not overly flashy or loud — it has a quiet confidence to it. The clean lines and symmetry felt timeless, which was exactly what I was drawn to. It didn’t take me long to decide; I had always envisioned an emerald cut.

For my wedding bands, I chose two curved bands to complement the shape of the stone — one simple gold band and one pavé band for a bit of dimension. I love being able to stack them depending on the day or mood while still keeping everything cohesive.

For Jason’s band, we wanted something subtle but meaningful. Since my centre stone is emerald cut, we incorporated a very small emerald detail into the centre of his band as a quiet nod to mine. And of course, both of our rings are engraved with the words “you are my home,” which feels especially meaningful given how much of our life we’ve built side by side since we were teenagers.

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

For our wedding back home, the venue and our photographer were definitely the biggest investments — and intentionally so.

The venue set the entire tone of the celebration. It created the atmosphere, the feeling, the backdrop for everything we had envisioned. We wanted somewhere that felt timeless and romantic, and it was worth prioritizing because it shaped the entire experience for us and our guests.

Photography, though, was non-negotiable. After going through our own wedding — and even attending a close friend’s destination wedding — it became so clear how quickly the day passes. You spend so much time planning, and then suddenly it’s over. Your photographer and videographer are the only ones who truly preserve it. Being able to relive the emotions, see moments we may have missed, and rewatch the day unfold is something we’ll cherish forever.

We also cared deeply about food and drinks. As hosts, we truly believe that if guests are well-fed and have something great in their glass, the energy naturally follows. Good food, good drinks, and good music create a celebration people genuinely enjoy.

For us, it was about investing in what would last — the memories — and what would make everyone feel taken care of in the moment.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

Our wedding day back home was a blur in the best way. Being surrounded by everyone we love in one place, feeling that energy and support — it’s something we’ll never forget. There were so many moments that felt surreal, but what stands out most is looking around during the reception and seeing all of our worlds — childhood friends, family, different chapters of our lives — sitting together in one room. It felt full and overwhelming in the most beautiful way.

But a few weeks later in Mallorca, we experienced something completely different — and equally meaningful. Walking through the quiet streets together in my wedding dress, with no timeline and no guests waiting for us, felt incredibly special. It was calm. Intentional. Almost like time slowed down.

Our wedding was about celebration. Mallorca was about stillness.

Both felt unforgettable in their own way.

What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?

Being married, to us, means partnership in the truest sense. Loving someone is the easy part — especially when you’ve grown up together the way we have. What takes intention is the effort, the compromise, and sometimes the sacrifice. It’s choosing the relationship over pride. It’s understanding that love isn’t just a feeling — it’s something you actively protect.

Jason and I are actually very different in many ways, and over time, I’ve realised that those differences are part of what makes us work. Instead of fighting against them, we’ve learned to see them as a balance. Maybe we’re different because that’s exactly what we need.

As for rituals, we don’t have anything overly formal — but we make it a point to keep dating each other. We take little staycations, travel whenever we can, and intentionally create time that feels fun and light. Thirteen years somehow doesn’t feel like thirteen years, and I think part of that is because we never treat the relationship like it’s guaranteed. Chemistry is a gift, but effort is a choice. We still go on dates. We still show up for each other. We don’t act like “we already have it” and therefore don’t need to try.

At the end of the day, marriage isn’t about grand gestures — it’s about continuing to choose each other, especially in the ordinary moments.