Wisdom from The Lake Como Wedding Planner
Meet Europe’s most sought after high end wedding planner, Rachel Birthistle, founder and owner of The Lake Como Wedding Planner, Rachel Birthistle Studio and The Como Collection. When we visited her and Taimar Cooke, the Production and Design Director (and her daughter!) at their stunning studios overlooking the lake, she told us "Everyone has a different vision", something she always bears in mind whether curating a multi-day, multi-location extravaganza in Paris or a vibrant day-time celebration in Mexico. “We’ve used La DoubleJ in lots of different settings…. I think that’s the thing I really like about it. It’s actually really versatile.” During our visit, they were kind enough to let us get playful with our plates and share some of their wedding setting secrets. Scroll for some of Rachel's favorite LDJ homeware pieces for the most tantalising tables for every moment of your wedding weekend, from the rehearsal dinner to the morning after brunch.
How would you use the Wildbird Paradise collection?
"This could make a really nice post-wedding brunch setup. Using the Soup Bowl on top of the dinner plate and the Dessert Plate as a Side Plate and the obligatory matching Espresso Cups (they’re just so cute!) Tea drinkers, don’t worry, you’ve got a Tea Cup instead of an Espresso Cup option! I love this gorgeous aubergine-coloured Murano Tumbler as a water glass and for the flowers we’ve just used some hot pinks and bright greens in the Murano glass Baby Egg vases in different colours."
What if we want it to feel more casual?
"The Wildbird Serving Platters like the Cake Stand or the Oval Platter could work great interspersed between the florals here as a setting for a pile of croissants or fruit or something scrummy like that. Great for family style meals."
And if I want to use Wildbird for a dinner setting?
"If you want to use this homeware for evening, I would take the Soup Bowl away and layer the Dessert Plate on top of the Dinner Plate, swap out the porcelain cups for a La DoubleJ Coupe and a Wine Glass, and take out all the serving platters to keep the centrepiece just florals."
How do you like to use the Libellula collection?
"Not everybody wants something that’s very grand. A lot of people want something that’s a little more pared back, and sometimes that’s as difficult to do as something that’s quite elaborate….I love this collection for a daytime wedding, particularly these little Mini Plates for bread or olive oil."
What do you suggest for linens?
"When the plate setting is layered like this - Charger, then Dinner Plate, then Dessert Plate - it looks great against a plain background, even without a tablecloth (but it looks great with the white lace tablecloth for sure). I would keep the napkins simple, a cream or light beige, something solid, to keep focus on the porcelains. This just feels very, very fresh and Spring-like."
And if I want to use Libellula for brunch?
"This is also a setting that works well for lunchtime or evening dining - you just replace the espresso cup with a green Wine Glass or yellow Coupe."
Want more from this magical wedding maestra?
Keep an eye out on our Instagram feed @ladoublej for more of Rachel's juicy tips and wedding tricks. Planning a wedding of your own? There's absolutely no one better than the incredible crew at The Lake Como Wedding Planner to ensure your "I do"s are appropriately extraordinary. Explore their offerings and marvel at the past matrimonies they've thrown over at thelakecomoweddingplanner.com.