Inside: A Spectacular Wedding in Lake Como

Pieter Jooste and Douglas Clarisse met online seven years ago, as every modern-day love story starts. They were both very busy traveling but stayed in touch and went to New York for their second date, a city they both love. The couple got engaged on their 6th anniversary of meeting, 29 Feb. It was during lockdown, and they had a posh meal delivered by a local cooking school; Doug casually asked if Pieter would marry him. It was unexpected and not something that was anticipated or discussed, so the initial reaction was shock, which eventually morphed into joy. We later had our engagement party and joined bachelor party at The Bowery Hotel in New York.

The best part of our day was….

We had an intimate wedding (110 people) with whom we have close and active relationships, so we loved seeing our friends enjoy the day and interact with all details we put into the event. We also had a rainbow appear as we walked down the aisle, which was pretty amazing.

We choose to get married at…

Lake Como In Italy. It is famous for its romantic landscapes, ostentatious villas and old-school charm. We have many friends from across the world, so anywhere would have been a destination wedding for most people, so we thought we might as well do it somewhere that is pretty spectacular. Side note, we both love Italy and Italian food.

I knew I found ‘The One’ when….

We met the tailor, recommended by a friend, and he had very sound and stern advice about how formal wear should be made and kindly (but forcefully) guided us in getting the proper wedding attire. We had some ideas, but he refined them and made them practical for a summer wedding in Italy.

We also wanted something iconic from Saville Row – the best British.

The most enjoyable moments of planning were…

Every detail was considered and enjoyable within the design elements, such as the flowers, the stationary, the lounge furniture selections, and table wear. We also enjoyed listening to how your vision gets interpreted by industry experts and how the ultimate product is a variation, often better than you imagined.

The hardest part of planning was…

The unique logistical challenges that come with a destination such as Lake Como. The roads around the lake can get busy, and with people staying dispersed, you need to ensure everyone is on time for all events. So we worked with a transport company and organised transport for all our guests for the three days, to and from all the events.

The best accounts to follow on Instagram for big-day inspo are…

We followed @tonymarklew @shhhmydarling @lakecomoweddings and @thierryjoubertphotography for inspiration.

Wedding menu highlights..

Beetroot Risotto as a second course!

For our honeymoon we chose...

Switzerland was the perfect antidote to a jam-packed few days. We stayed in Bad Ragaz at a spa famous for its hot water springs and natural beauty.

My top three tips for any couple would be…

Have a true north to work from and towards, decide before you speak to any vendors what your outcome needs to be, and stick to it. Once you talk to vendors, things can get confusing. Work as a team first and foremost.

The process can get pressurised; remember, you are working on creating a magical experience for your guests and yourselves. So don’t sweat the small stuff and taint the experience’s memory with bickering and negativity.

Decide on your must-have “big ticket” items, allocate your budget around that, and then colour in the event.