Royal Wedding Wrap-Up

Now that everyone has had a chance to watch, rewatch, and digest the royal wedding (and nap), what did everyone think?  I thought it was so so lovely and just perfect for a princess.  Kate's gown might not have been my style or very favorite, but ON HER it was perfection.  And how about her sister Pippa's gown?!  To die for, right?  The whole affair was just so exciting and it was nice to see people celebrating what is, deep down, a wonderful moment for others.  Because although they may be royal, they are also just a couple in love who just committed to a life together.  I wish them all the best!

Here are some of my favorite pics from the day:

{photos via msnbc and stylemepretty}

Lovely Links: In Honor of the Royal Wedding

By the time this post publishes (as scheduled) William and Kate will have tied the knot.  So, congrats to the happy couple!  Because I can't stay up, or get up, to watch (sleep when the baby sleeps!) I will be catching up on the highlights rather than posting the details live.  So instead I'm sharing with you some of my favorite royal wedding posts from around the web.

{Elizabeth Messina via Green Wedding Shoes}

royal wedding inspiration loveliness here and here.

want a non-cheesy royal wedding souvenir?  yes, they do exist.

for the royal wedding haters, or those just wanting a chuckle

tiaras for the rest of us.

color palette fit for a princess.

the princess diaries, inspiration board style

Enjoy and happy Friday!  xx

{Inspiration Board} Royal Wedding Fever

In all honesty, (once upon a time) I was really excited about the royal wedding.  Then it got over-hyped, over-played, over-blown...  Seriously, if I turn on the Today show and have to see one more feature about the royal wedding I'm gonna lose my mind.  However, I still want to see the details of the wedding.  What wedding gown will Kate choose?  Who will design it?  What will the florals look like?  What kind of wedding does $34 mil get you these days?  Until then, I'm just inspired by the idea of the royal wedding.  Hope this board inspires you!

{Top} With Style & Grace, via Style Me Pretty, via Jessica Claire, via Style Me Pretty

{Middle} via Jessica Claire, BHLDN

{Bottom} via Ruffled, via Style Me Pretty (X2)

And I love this royal wedding souvenir round-up over on Marry You Me.  

My favorite one is this souvenir plate:

{via Marry You Me}

Will you be watching the royal wedding?

Vintage Bride {#8} Royal Edition

In anticipation of the royal wedding next weekend, here is a look back to a vintage royal wedding.

Princess Diana  ~ 1981 {source}

Royal wedding style though the decades

Here's an interesting look at royal wedding style though the ages.

Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, 1923


A traditional full-length gown with a court train was the order of the day for Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's marriage to the Duke of York, later George VI. Designed by Madame Handley, the dress was on trend for the 1920s with its unshaped lace bodice - a style made popular by Coco Chanel. This gown is so trendy it hurts.

Wallis Simpson, 1937


The marriage of Wallis Simpson and Prince Edward wasn't a royal wedding as such as the prince had decided to abdicate the throne in order to marry divorcee Mrs Simpson. The bride wore a simple blue dress with a fitted waistband, gathered bodice all finished off with a neat hat - the style was widely copied for its simplicity. I love this dress! The buttoned waist and the flowy, elegant skirt is gorgeous.

Queen Elizabeth II, 1947


Queen Elizabeth II's wedding day at Westminster Abbey was a grand affair - and the royal wedding dress was certainly fit for the occasion. The Queen's dressmaker Norman Hartnell had the honour of designing the ivory duchesse satin gown adorned with crystals, 10,000 tiny pearls and appliqué tulle embroidery. The 15-foot train was also embroidered with pearls and crystals as well as appliqué duchesse satin and was inspired by Botticelli's Primavera, to signify hope after the war. LOVE!!!! The floral lace train is gorgeous.

Grace Kelly, 1956


MGM wardrobe designer Helen Rose had the honour of creating Grace Kelly's wedding gown in the 50s - the dress featured a full skirt of ivory peau de soie and a fitted bodice made of Brussels lace and embroidered with seed pearls. Grace's veil was adorned with lace lovebirds and the gown remains one of the most celebrated in history. She's so gorgeous. The bustle type poofy skirt is so pretty.

Princess Margaret, 1960


Queen Elizabeth II's younger sister, Princess Margaret, was the subject of the world's first televised royal wedding and she chose a simple gown by her favourite designer Norman Hartnell for the occasion. The bride wore a white silk organza dress with a short train, a Claude St Cyr of Paris veil and the Poltimore tiara, purchased at auction. The full skirt is so fairy tale princess, and the crown seems pretty on her. Normally I hate tiaras at weddings, but since she's ACTUAL royalty it makes sense.

Lady Diana Spencer, 1981


Lady Diana Spencer's marriage to Prince Charles had people around the world glued to their tellies and the late princess certainly looked the part. The bride wore a silk taffeta gown designed by Brits Elizabeth and David Emanuel - complete with enormous puff sleeves, 10,000 hand-stitched pearls and a record-breaking 25-foot train, the outfit is certainly a memorable one! It's not a popular opinion, but I hate this gown and pretty much every other gown from the '80s.

Sarah Ferguson, 1986

Sarah Ferguson's duchesse satin gown was an elaborate affair (it was the 80s after all!) - the 17-foot train featured an anchor to represent Prince Andrew's time in the navy and an 'A' was also embroidered onto it to reflect her love for her husband. Ditto Fergie. Sorry.

Sophie Rhys-Jones, 1999


Sophie Rhys-Jones looked stunning in this silk organza coatdress by Samantha Shaw - the outfit was embroidered with 325,000 pearl and cut glass beads. Prince Edward also had a hand in the outfit - he designed the black and white pearl necklace that Sophie wore on the day. This is a little too matronly for me, but it's elegant enough.

Camilla Parker Bowles, 2005

It was Prince Charles' second wedding, but his second bride looked fantastic in this outfit designed by Robinson Valentine. Camilla accessorised the full-length coat and chiffon dress with pale beige suede shoes by LK Bennett and a plummage and lace detail portrait hat by Philip Treacy. She looks good for her. I like the long duster.

Which is your favorite? Mine is Grace Kelly, or if we're talking about English royalty, Princess Margaret. Everything about her screams royal wedding, and I mean that in the best way possible.

-KB

Kate Middleton's Royal Wedding Dress

Sarah Burton, rumoured to be designing Kate Middleton's royal wedding dress, unveiled the Alexander McQueen ready-to-wear collection at Paris Fashion Week. As the wedding between Prince William and Catherine Middleton draws near, three things seem to be on everyone's mind: the dress, the dress and the dress. Bloggers, the press and oddsmakers all have speculated on what and who the future princess will wear as she takes the long walk down the aisle April 29 in Westminster Abbey.

Amy Eisinger, an associate editor at the wedding website www.theknot.com, says speculation is so keen that those mentioned as just possible designers of Middleton's gown have gained increased name recognition. They include Sarah Burton, Bruce Oldfield,Phillipia Lepley and Daniela Issa Helayel. Even if these people aren't picked, it has created a buzz.

With rumors awash the fashion industry that Kate Middleton's royal wedding dress will be made by Sarah Burton, all eyes were on the Alexander McQueen designer's Winter 2011 ready-to-wear collection in Paris. Although Burton dismissed the speculation after yesterday's show, there is no doubt the stunning pieces are fit for a queen. Kate's gown will be bespoke, but the very 'bridal' twist to her line provides some tempting possibilities for what our newest Royal will be wearing on her big day.


Romantic, long white designs with beaded and feather detailing featured high neck-lines, but no sleeves in the collection that was aptly named 'Ice Queen'. Kate will no doubt follow in the traditional footsteps of her predecessors and eschew spaghetti straps or bustier designs in favor of a more demure look. The odds so far have been on Kate choosing veteran designer Bruce Oldfield or Phillipa Lepley.

As reported by Pittsburgh Tribune, there are two fantasy wedding gowns from Sottero-Midgley line, the Emmaline and the Pascal, have been cited by ITV as something that would suit a princess, Williams says. The dresses both feature a closely fitted waist, a hallmark of Maggie Sottero.

But it seems fashion experts are now desperately hoping Burton will be the chosen one. Asked whether he thought the rumors would prove true, Vogue editor Andre Leon Talley, replied 'I hope so. If she were dressed by Ms Burton, she'd make a beautiful bride.'


Either way, Burton won among the strongest reactions of any of this season's Paris shows, with the McQueen's dresses bore some resemblance to that one that appeared on My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding audience hooting, cheering and whistling its enthusiastic approval as she ducked out for a bow as the front row exchanged knowing glances. But although white dresses dotted the collection, all the McQueen signature detailing was visible including chunky platform heels, black and Gothic accessories.

Kate Middleton's royal wedding dress might feature a full, dramatically flared skirt, a feature favored by many British brides. Mass-produced replicas are likely to roll out mere weeks after the wedding, most major design houses already have produced their fall line of wedding dresses. The soonest brides-to-be might see a royal influence is in the spring 2012 collections.

Royal Wedding | History of Westminster Abbey

The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton occurs on Friday April 29, 2011. Their wedding service will start at 11am GMT, and that's 5am EST. The marriage ceremony is being held at Westminster Abbey in the center of London, Great Britain. Westminster Abbey's Regal heritage makes it the perfect location for the wedding ceremony. Positioned alongside the famous Houses of Parliament in the heart of London, the Abbey is a gothic monastery chapel and place of worship. It's a traditional location of coronation, wedding ceremonies and burials for British Royalty. The earliest sections of the construction go back to about 1050!


The wedding date also has been declared a public holiday within the United Kingdom. An affair of this huge size will not have occurred for 3 decades ever since Prince Charles and Lady Diana themselves were wedded on 29 July 1981. A Royal wedding event doesn't get any bigger than when a forthcoming future King and Queen of The UK get wedded! You can easily simply just click the link below to skip my story and get your PC set up for you to watch the royal wedding online right away on April 29th.


History of Westminster Abbey

The historic gothic abbey has long been the site of historic events and daily worship as well as the venue to mark royal national services and celebrations. Formally known as the Collegiate Church of St. Peter, Westminster Abbey has grown and adapted with the country it serves since 960 CE when St. Dunstan, the Bishop of London, first brought 12 Benedictine monks here to establish a tradition of daily worship. Known then as "Thorney Island," the site was a desolate, wetland adjacent to the Thames River. Soon King Edgar supported the monastic community with land grants which forged lasting links between the Crown and Church.

1065: Edward the Confessor dedicated a new church here to St. Peter and consecrated it on December 28, 1065.
1066: After the Norman Conquest at the Battle of Hastings on October 14, William the Conqueror came into power and had himself crowned in the Abbey on December 25. The coronations of 38 more monarchs would come to pass in this facility during future years.
1161: In the presence of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury and King Henry II, the Pope canonized Edward the Confessor and his remains were moved to a new shrine at the cathedral.
1245: Henry III began building a new abbey in the French Gothic style and it was completed by October, 1269. The King had Edward the Confessor's remains moved to a new shrine here, and later he and several other monarchs found their final resting places near the shrine.
1301: Edward I ordered the construction of the Coronation Chair which includes the Stone of Scone (Stone of Destiny) from Scotland. Presently the Stone resides in Scotland but will be returned to the Abbey for all coronations.
1400: Geoffrey Chaucer (The Canterbury Tales) was buried in the Poets' Corner.
1540: The monastery was dissolved by order of Henry VIII as he parted ways with the Roman Catholic Church and created the Church of England.
1838: On June 28, the nation celebrated the coronation of Queen Victoria.
1953: On June 2, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her coronation at the Abbey.


Westminster Abbey's Future

The Abbey has been the site of almost every royal momentous occasion over at least 10 centuries. During the coming year, it will serve again as the site of a royal wedding - that of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

No doubt the British people are thrilled by the impending royal wedding. Hopefully their financial worries are alleviated by the news that the Royal Family and the Middleton family will shoulder the costs of the wedding itself, and that the government will cover only the costs of security for the event.

Royal cocktails, anyone?

Prince William and Kate Middleton's upcoming wedding has given many people a reason to mark the occasion in their own way. One way to celebrate is to throw a royal wedding themed party. And what is a party without cocktails?

Event Expert Colin Cowie has created a signature cocktail called the Regal CV. Doesn't it taste better when someone famous comes up with it?

According to the press release for it:

The Regal CV Cocktail is characterized by elegance and simplicity and is truly fit for toasting the future king and queen of England on their wedding day!

Sounds yummy, right? See? This blog is not only informative, it can make you thirsty too.

So now you're wondering, Marilyn, how do I make this delicious concoction to impress my friends? I'm glad you asked!

You will need;

2 oz Chambord Flavored Vodka
¾ oz simple syrup
3 slices of cucumber (skin on)
3 fresh raspberries
½ oz fresh lemon juice

Muddle the raspberries, cucumber, and simple syrup. Add to a shaker with lemon juice and Chambord Flavored Vodka. Add ice and shake vigorously. Double stain into a martini glass or a large coupe glass and garnish.

Garnish option 1: Garnish with a slice of cucumber and a fresh raspberry.

Garnish option 2: Garnish with fresh raspberries.

Serve to friends with a faux British accent and the best plastic tiara you can find.

If you make the cocktail, let me know how it turns out!

Thanks to Melissa Tavss from The Baddish Group for the heads up.

For more information on Chambord Flavored Vodka visit: http://www.chambordoline.com/

Royal-tea

The royal wedding stuff is snooze-tastic, but this is funny.

For just £9.99 (+s&h) this beautiful commemorative mug can be yours. It celebrates the royal wedding of Prince William and Miss Kate Middleton.




Notice the exquisite detail; the fine writing, the gilt edges, and beautiful craftsmanship.



You'll also appreciate these beautiful photos of Prince Harry and Kate.


Somewhere in the world is an office full of people who are so far removed from royal/celebrity gossip, that they don't know the difference between Princes Harry and William. I am going to guess that somewhere is in China.

Get yours before the irony runs out.