by charlotte Bride: Lauren Downing

Lauren and James Downing’s intimate wedding took their seventeen guests to a sun-faded villa set high above the Gulf of Naples in Ischia, Italy. The couple reframed the traditional wedding in a deeply personal setting; it was a day that was equally a celebration of their love for each other, as a celebration of the people, moments and connections that brought them to the altar.


As Head of Marketing at by charlotte, Lauren knew she wanted the jewellery she wore to be deeply meaningful and reflect her love story. She didn’t think twice about wearing by charlotte on her wedding day - a natural extension of her journey and the brand she’s helped shape.  

We spoke to Lauren about her love story, how she brought her vision of ‘Mediterranean Minimalism’ to life, and about the moments that mattered most on the day. 

Tell us about how you met James? 

We met in Sydney during lockdown. We matched on Bumble and met at a neighbourhood wine bar, which turned into a seven-hour date. From that one date, I knew I had met my soulmate. We fell hard and fast in love… within four weeks we were inseparable. We moved in together, adopted our beautiful dog Holiday and started planning our future.

Why did you choose Ischia for the wedding?

We had been planning a holiday in Europe for 2025, so when we got engaged in September 2024, it felt natural to turn the vacation into our dream wedding. 

We have family in Australia, London and Portugal, so Ischia felt like the perfect in-between. We fell in love with the venue, a 1960’s villa overlooking Procida, and knew it was meant to be. It was exactly what we wanted: charming, filled with character, and with the most magical view.

What was your inspiration for the day?

I worked with Cat Spanti, creative director of KIT, to develop our concept; Mediterranean Minimalism. We wanted each aspect of the wedding to feel intentional but relaxed and echo the tones of the island.    

We really wanted to lean into the Italian mood, so, to complement Ischia’s natural beauty, we opted for a colour

The ceremony looked like magic. Was it as perfect as it looked?

Just as guests took their seats on the terrace, it started raining. We didn’t have a Plan B, so we just had to wait till it cleared. Thirty minutes later, the sun started streaming through the clouds and we started the ceremony. It was a perfect moment in its own way! 

My nieces, Agnes and Matilda, walked down the aisle, James’s brother officiated the ceremony, our siblings read poetry, we wrote our vows by hand… even the speeches were spontaneous and unfiltered. Each part of the ceremony felt so simple and so personal. It gave everyone space to be present. That’s what we’ll remember the most.

Tell us the story behind your rings.

Both James and my rings were custom. James chose the emerald-cut diamond for my engagement ring, but I worked with one of our Designers, George Plionis to design it and chose a Georgian-style setting.  

Tell us about your bridal looks.

I started the day in a sheer lace Michael Lo Sordo gown, styled with a silk robe and bespoke sapphire earrings by by charlotte. For my ceremony gown, I chose the most beautiful custom Vera Wang Haute piece, featuring layers of silk chiffon, paired with Amina Muaddi lace mules and vintage-inspired, custom by charlotte earrings.  A veil, custom-made by Kim Alpha Bridal, was added at the last minute for a “full bridal moment.”  

For the evening reception, I wore a sheer strapless gown by Alex Perry, styled with cascading crystal earrings. 

What was your “something blue”?

My “something blue” was really special to me. I gifted each of the women closest to me, my bridesmaids, mum and mother-in-law, a piece from theEndless Devotioncollection in London and Swiss Blue Topaz. I love the symbolism of blue topaz: it’s believed to protect against the evil eye and bring good fortune to a marriage. Each piece was different and chosen with intention. I also wore the matching earrings for one of my bridal looks. Having worked at by charlotte for the past 5 years, it felt really special to wear something from a brand that’s been such a big part of my journey. 

What’s your advice to brides-to-be planning their wedding?

It’s easy to get swept up in trends, Pinterest boards and what other brides are doing but don’t lose sight of what makes your relationship so unique and special. The most timeless weddings are the ones that feel true to you. Choose details that reflect your love story, your personalities and the things you love as a couple.