Now that the wedding that has been on everyone’s minds is finally over, we can all move on, right? Not exactly!
The world is still buzzing with royal gossip, documenting Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s every move. If you watched the royal wedding, or followed it in the news, you may be dreaming of having your own over-the-top affair. Here’s how you can plan a wedding fit for a princess:
Wear a tiara.
This is one of the only times in your life that you’ll be able to get away with wearing a tiara, so why not take advantage of it! A tiara screams royalty, whether it is a small band or a larger headpiece. Markle’s bandeau tiara belonged to Queen Elizabeth’s grandmother, Queen Mary, while Kate Middleton opted for the Cartier Halo Tiara, which King George bought for Queen Mary in 1936. Most wedding retailers sell tiaras, so ask your consultant to suggest a few to complement your look!
Choose a simple dress.
Markle’s Givenchy dress was plain yet beautiful, and even Middleton’s Alexander McQueen dress was simple yet tasteful. You don’t need large bows, flowers or rhinestones to stand out. Just don’t skimp on the alterations! A properly fitted dress can spell the difference between classy and tacky.
Plan your accessories.
When your dress is simple, you need to accessorize to stand out. Markle wore a 16-foot silk tulle veil that paid homage to all 53 Commonwealth countries by including flowers from each. At the reception, she wore an aquamarine ring that once belonged to her late mother-in-law Princess Diana, which stood out against her plain white halter dress. Middleton, on the other hand, wore pear-shaped diamond chandelier earrings by Robinson Pelham that were gifted by her parents for the special day. She, of course, also wore her 18-carat sapphire-and-diamond engagement ring, which belonged to Diana.
Request royal attire.
You can specify black-tie attire on your wedding invitations and even suggest that your guests don hats! British custom is to wear a hat to a royal wedding, and your special day will have that sophisticated feel when your guests’ heads are covered.
Host a tea bar.
Tea is a staple of the British diet, and a tea bar at your reception is a sophisticated way to pay homage to this tradition. Set out several different varieties of tea, as well as add-ins such as milk, sugar and honey. You can even decorate the table with teapots, tea boxes, scones and biscuits!