Minimalism and rustic charm came together naturally.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
Ryan works in venture capital, focusing on early-stage AI startups in San Francisco and India. Shawn works in a creative industry. Outside of work, we’re most at home outdoors. Hiking, kayaking, and rock climbing are regular fixtures for us. Food is another shared passion—we’re equally happy trying out new restaurants in the city as we are tracking down local specialties when travelling. More recently, we’ve taken up tennis together. We’re not very good at it yet, but it’s nice that we are equally bad. We also love travelling, which is why we really wanted our wedding to be in a place neither of us had visited, even though that ended up making the planning process quite complex!
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We first met in New York in 2019, just a few months before COVID shut the city down. Oddly enough, we decided on Times Square for our first date—it’s not usually a place that people living in New York would actively choose to go. When we met, we realised neither of us had made a dinner reservation, so we wandered until we found a small Korean restaurant called Danji. The food was incredible, and that restaurant has held a special place for us ever since. What we both noticed from the beginning was how easy it felt to spend time together. There wasn’t pressure to have the perfect plan; instead, it was about enjoying each other’s company. That first night showed us that adaptability, humour, and curiosity were things we both valued—and they’ve continued to define our relationship.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes, etc.).
The vision for our wedding was shaped by both the place and the timing. We wanted something that felt authentic to Mallorca while capturing the unique spirit of the summer solstice – a date we specifically chose for our wedding. Minimalism and rustic charm came together naturally through the island’s own architecture, landscape, and atmosphere. The warm tones of stone, the open air, and the surrounding scenery already set the stage, so our role was simply to enhance rather than overwhelm. We leaned into a restrained palette that echoed the setting, allowing natural textures to shine through. Rather than layering on heavy design, the goal was to let the beauty of Mallorca do the work. We wanted the celebration to feel timeless and rooted in place—elegant without being overly styled, and relaxed without feeling casual. That balance created an atmosphere that felt both effortless and deeply personal.
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).
Some of the details that stood out most were the ones that felt simple but thoughtful. Our coordinator added fresh lemons and local flowers to the tables, which immediately tied everything back to Mallorca. It brought a splash of colour and vibrancy to the natural tones of the venue without ever feeling forced. The setting itself was already beautiful, but those touches made it feel alive. One of the most special moments came during dinner. We had to brave a few minutes of intense sunshine, but it was worth it to have dinner during golden hour. That memory—of the sun setting as dinner was shared—remains one of our favourite parts of the entire celebration.
What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
Because we were planning a destination wedding, we had the opportunity to think about the experience as more than just the ceremony and dinner. We really enjoyed imagining what our guests would enjoy most after traveling so far to be with us. That meant planning smaller experiences beyond the wedding itself—ways to explore the island, discover its culture, and make the trip feel like a shared adventure. It turned what could have been a checklist into something more creative and personal. One piece of advice we’d share is to work with a local coordinator from the start. It’s impossible to know all the small details if you’re not from the area, and having someone guide us through those decisions made a huge difference. Another invaluable partner was our photographer, Kornelia, who helped us understand how to capture Mallorca at its best—timing, locations, and the flow of the day.
Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?
We were incredibly fortunate with our vendors, and it really shaped the experience. Kornelia and Gabi were our dream team—without them, none of this would have been possible. They made coordinating across tough time zones feel seamless, keeping us focused and reassured throughout. Their input was invaluable not just on the logistics but also in shaping the look and feel of the celebration. On the day itself, the staff at La Residencia stood out for their thoughtfulness. They weren’t just executing a plan; they were constantly coming up with small details and gestures that elevated the entire event. Before and during the wedding, they were proactive and creative, making sure the atmosphere felt complete. It was that mix of professionalism and genuine care from everyone involved that allowed us to truly relax and focus on being present.
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 us, the priority was creating memorable experiences that our guests could enjoy alongside us. Because so many people travelled to Mallorca to celebrate, we wanted to give them more than just the wedding dinner. The day after, we organised a boat trip for everyone, which quickly became one of the highlights. Being on the water together offered a completely different perspective of the island—beautiful, relaxed, and full of shared moments. To make it even more special, we chose the oldest active wooden ship in Spain, the Rafael Verdera. It felt meaningful to connect with Mallorca’s history while also enjoying the present. That choice required a little extra investment, but it was well worth it. It gave everyone a chance to wind down, share stories, and extend the celebration in a way that felt both authentic and unforgettable.
Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?
The after-party stands out as one of our favourite memories. It was held in a historic stone villa, a setting that felt full of character and history but still intimate enough to bring everyone together. A close friend of ours was the DJ, and he had curated the playlist just for us, weaving in songs that carried personal meaning. Seeing people from different parts of our lives—friends from New York, San Francisco, China, our family — all dancing together in the same space was unforgettable. The after party is where we really started to see our friend groups and family merge. It wasn’t just an “after party”; it was the perfect ending, where the energy of the day carried through into the night.
COUPLES Ryan, @_not_bryan; Shawn LOCATION La Residencia, Deia, Mallorca, Spain, @belmondlaresidencia PHOTOGRAPHER Kornelia Kruczek, @korneliakruczek_photo CONTENT CREATION Amor & Love Stories, @amorlovestories PLANNER, FLORIST & DECORATOR Gabina Baltanás Valencia of Chill Me Out, @chillmeout_mallorca ENTERTAINMENT Steven Tran, @steven_nk_tran CATERING El Olivo Restaurant in La Residencia, @belmondlaresidencia RINGS Cartier, @cartier; Boucheron, @boucheron COUPLE’S OUTFIT Shawn’s Jacket – Todd Snyder, @toddsnyderny; Ryan’s Jacket & Pants – Macy’s, @macys
