Meghan Markle & Prince Harry: A Royal Wedding Like Never Before

 

From the bride and her dress to the music, decor, and guest list, the royal wedding between Meghan Markle and Prince Harry was full of firsts and delightful surprises. As expected, it was a grand event of poise and pageantry. But at the same time, the couple found ways to make their nuptials feel intimate, personal, and full of sentiment. Watching along with the rest of the world, we still sensed that Meghan and Harry had created a day for themselves, one that they will be able to look back on years from now knowing that they did it out of love and commitment to each other rather than to meet protocol and expectations. And as we learn new details, the idea that this was a royal wedding like never before becomes all the more true.

Meghan Markle’s Wedding Dress

The bride surprised us all by wearing a dress by Givenchy. The design was conceived by British designer Clare Waight Keller, the first female Artistic Director of the esteemed French fashion house. Capturing Meghan’s personal style, the dress was simple, elegant, and timeless featuring a bateau neckline, three-quarter length sleeves and sweeping train.

 

 

 

 

For the reception, Meghan wore a custom dress by another female British designer, Stella McCartney. By all accounts, this second look was sexy and stylish with a sleek silhouette and sleeveless, high neckline top.

 

 

Royal Wedding Flowers

The blooms were all that we imagined and more! Meghan’s wedding bouquet was not only lovely, but also carried special meaning. Prince Harry had handpicked the flowers, Forget-Me-Nots, in memory of his mother Princess Diana as they were her favorite. The arrangement also included sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine, astrantia, and a sprig of myrtle, a royal bridal tradition that symbolizes love and hope.

 

 

Florist Philippa Craddock worked with the couple to design a shopstopping floral display at St. George’s Chapel. Guests were greeted by a breathtaking floral arch entrance featuring white blooms that included garden roses (also loved by Princess Diana), peonies (Meghan’s favorite), stock, and foxgloves with lush greenery. The ceremony arrangements were fresh and natural looking, creating an English Garden in spring atmosphere. The flowers were given a second life after the ceremony – Meghan’s bouquet was placed on the grave of the Unknown Soldier while the chapel flowers were fashioned into bouquets and given to hospice patients to enjoy.

 

 

 

Jewelry and Accessories

Royalty and jewels go hand-in-hand. So we knew Meghan would sparkle at her wedding, but the stories behind the jewelry she chose to wear almost outshine the pieces! The bride’s 16-foot cathedral veil, also by Givenchy, was held in place by a striking diamond and platinum bandeau tiara loaned to her by Queen Elizabeth. Made in 1932, the tiara belonged to Queen Mary of Teck and features a detachable, diamond-studded brooch at the center.

 

 

A wedding ring wasn’t the only jewelry Meghan received from Prince Harry that day. The groom also gave his bride a dazzling aquamarine cocktail ring, which belonged to his mother, Princess Diana.

 

 

Royal Wedding Cake

When news broke that Claire Ptak of Violet Cakes would be making the Meghan and Prince Harry’s wedding dessert, we knew we were in for a sweet treat. The London-based designer didn’t disappoint. Ptak and her team of six bakers spent five days baking and icing in Buckingham Palace. The gorgeous royal wedding cake was made of lemon sponge cake drizzled with elderflower syrup and topped with Almafi lemon curd. After getting a coat of swiss meringue buttercream infused with elderflower, the cake was adorned with 150 fresh flowers, including peonies and roses.

 

 

And about that second reception at Frogmore House. It sounds like the couple, with a little help from friends, partied the night away. Fun-filled details have emerged suggesting that there was beer pong, fireworks, cotton candy, burger stands, and celebrity entertainment – Idris Elba did a DJ set and George Clooney took a turn as bartender.

 

 

While Meghan and Prince Harry’s wedding played out like a romantic fairytale, it was one for the modern day. They swayed from tradition while honoring royal heritage. Looking back, the entire affair was touched by beauty and sentiment in a way that felt like a true expression of the love and commitment between two people. Congratulations, Meghan and Prince Harry! We can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!