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.
You’re using Napoli Rosa for Taimar’s upcoming wedding in Puglia!
Tell us why you chose this particular collection?
Tell us why you chose this particular collection?
"I think it will work really well because you’ve got these natural tones that are very sympathetic and harmonious in the environment. We’re hosting the ceremony in this old quarry that’s got all of these gorgeous, earthy, sandy, golden hues everywhere. These plates just warm it all up a little bit with these touches of pink and pistachio green, particularly on top of the lace tablecloth that just adds something special and makes it feel a little more formal."
How are you laying the table?
"Often the number of plates is dictated by how many courses we’re serving - so we’re alternating using the round Platter and the Charger Plate as the underplate either grouped per table or one on one, just to keep it different and interesting. Then we’re layering on the Dinner Plate and either the Soup Bowl or the little floral Side Plate. I just love what happens with this design, the scale effect on the edge which adds so much depth."
Any touch of Murano?
"We’ve mixed the Orto bud vases and some florals that are just again bringing in those same colours - a little bit brighter with the greens but kept the rest of the florals in that nudey, peachy colour of the homeware. Then of course we’ve got these great bright green Murano Wine Glasses that I think are just fabulous and fit within that palette."
The big question - what about the napkins!?
"Napkin-wise I think we’re going to go with something really simple in a cream linen just with a really simple finish on the edge. We’re keeping them more discreet because there’s so much interesting stuff going on here with the porcelains and we don’t want the napkin to start taking away from it. We’ll also have a menu to put down that’s been inspired by the whole setting. "
Any added touches?
"Obviously, we’re adding candles to this whole setting, but I also really love these Serving Bowls - you could of course use them to hold whatever you’re serving for the meal, but they can also be used decoratively to hold fruit or a mix of flowers as an added element to the centrepiece."
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.