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On September 15, 2016, Justin Pitt and Cristalle Belo Henares said their “I do’s” at Villa Erba on the shores of Lake Como, Italy
The whirlwind romance of Justin Pitt and Cristalle Belo Henares, started in Abu Dhabi more than two years ago when the Belo beauty decided to meet him on a whim on a one-day layover between Paris and Manila.
An elaborate proposal ensued and intense wedding planning with event director, Javi Martinez Pardo commenced. The couple decided on a destination wedding and Justin settled on Italy, his favourite place in the world, as their venue. The couple had already married civilly in Manila eight days prior—so the Lake Como nuptials, which were officiated by Pastor Cody Wilbanks, became the grand celebration. Cristalle sparkled down the aisle in a lace number by Israeli designer, Inbal Dror. In place of traditional wedding vows, the couple had their siblings—Cristalle’s brother, Quark Henares and Justin’s sister, Melissa Pitt-Chalmers—read sonnets that they had selected for each other.
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After the ceremony, guests boarded a vintage steamboat for a sunset cruise around the lake followed by an intimate reception at Villa Erba, where the couple had pulled out all the stops to give them a taste of romantic old-world glamour.
As part of the entertainment, they hired three tenors and the London-based band Entourage. After the couple’s first dance (Etta James’ At Last) they partied till dawn in Pitt-ure perfect style.
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Philippine Tatler Weddings: Describe the proposal.
Cristalle Belo Pitt: Justin poured three months of planning into this special day and secretly organised it with my family. He invited me to the Maldives and when I told my mum I was going, she invited herself and the whole family. I found it strange that my family was riding on my holiday with my then long-distance boyfriend but I was also happy that we would be spending quality time.
One afternoon, Justin mysteriously disappeared and a butler showed up at our room with a letter and a video to watch on an iPad. In the video Justin was talking about me going on an adventure and completing tasks like a treasure hunt. I spent four hours going through the different tasks which highlighted values he wanted in a relationship —communication, partnership, commitment and lifelong love. The last leg was to board a traditional doni (old style boat) to get to another island where he proposed under a full moon. When we got back to the main island, not only was my whole family present but Justin had apparently flown in his parents, too!
We went straight to an engagement party at Niyama Per Aquum. To me, this proposal was epic! The best part was Justin’s effort to bring both families together.
PTW: Who did you wear and how did you decide on this?
CBP: Inbal Dror from Israel. I sat down with my good friend, Patrice Diaz, who used to be a wedding gown designer and she showed me different silhouettes. Looking through Pinterest, we stumbled upon Inbal Dror’s creations. It was exactly the “respectable sexy” look we were looking for. The silhouette of the dress was fitted but it was made of French lace, which kept it classy and sweet. Funnily, Inbal Dror had a trunk show in Milan the exact same dates I was there to look for a venue. So I made an appointment to look at the dresses and the one I wanted fit me to a T. So I ordered the dress and asked for a detachable cathedral length train so that the same dress could transform and look different at certain parts of the day.
PTW: Which wedding Apps, sites and bridal Instagram accounts did you follow for inspiration?
CBP: Pinterest and for Instagram @josevilla (our amazing photographer); @theknot; @isaidfinally; and @shannonleahyevents.
PTW: How’d you go about planning this big event?
CBP: Sending out invites and dealing with the guests were all Justin and me. Justin was very hands-on with the food. The rest, we worked closely with Javi. The bridal entourage helped me get organised in Lake Como. They were all with me for three days before the wedding and we packed giveaways and did all the crafty work.
PTW: What were your wedding party favours?
CBP: Villa Del Conte, thanks to the kind contribution of Rhoda and Vince Aldanese. Also shawls that had our JPC logo on it. It got quite chilly in the evening so we had shawls hanging on the back of everyone’s seat.
PTW: What stands out to you when you think of your wedding? Why?
CBP: The moments I spent with people I love and enjoy. One of my most favourite experiences was when all our guests were on a vintage steam boat having cocktails and Justin and I surprised them in a riva (wooden speed boat) and lead them back towards the venue for dinner. It was fun because it was a surprise for them and it was the first time they saw us up close as Mr. and Mrs. Pitt!
PTW: Do you recommend a destination wedding? What were the most challenging parts of organising a destination wedding?
CBP: Yes I do, especially if you want to keep it intimate and small. It was a challenge planning it. I flew to Lake Como a total of three times before the big day. I’m just so happy Justin and Javi were extremely hands-on in planning this event and they both were so detail oriented.
PTW: Did you plan your big day with a strict budget in mind? How did you tackle this?
CBP: We did have a budget on the essentials but anything the groom or I wanted on top of what was planned was on our separate budgets. My suggestion would be to have three priorities each. For Justin, it was food, drinks and experience while I focused on my gown, documentation (photography and video) and the beauty of it all. Pour your budget into the things that you prioritise.
PTW: How much time did you spend planning your first home together? Décor? Style? Entertaining at home?
CBP: We are still in the process. It’s a fun experience and we look at it as a journey not as something we have to get done right away.
This article is part of a series called Inspired Moments, originally featured on the second edition of Philippine Tatler Weddings.
