Would You Wed Like Kate? (part 1)

The royal wedding was three weeks ago today and by all accounts, we have all eased back into normal life.  But there were some really amazing details that will certainly be inspiring brides for years to come.  I wanted to take a closer look to see which aspects of the wedding that the world watched would be trending this wedding season.

#1. Colored Engagement Ring
Not that the bride has much choice typically, but this sapphire stunner made headlines around the world for its beauty, its history and the fact that it is not your standard engagement rock.  The main reason for the popularity colorless diamonds is that they are not only classic but they go with anything you could ever wear.  I wrote a post about the popularity of colored engagement rings catching on with celebrities, it might just catch on with the rest of us soon.

#2. Kate Did Her Own Makeup
So many people, myself included, were surprised to learn that Kate decided to do her own makeup for the most watched wedding this century.  She did take lessons from a makeup artist but chose to apply by herself.  For most brides, makeup and hair stylists are necessary vendors for a few reasons- to cut down on the anxiety of perfecting the wedding day look, having access to a professional and lastly because for most brides these services are a rare luxury.  Celebrities get their hair & makeup done on a weekly basis, so are they 'over' this luxury?  It was speculated that Kate made specific choices with her wedding to represent herself as "one of the people" and this was a very good example. 

 

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#3. Her Maid of Honor, Sister Pippa, Wore White

Today's bridesmaids dresses are always well thought out- coordinating color themes, wedding formality, season, etc.  White is traditionally a color only worn by the bride at the wedding but the trend of white bridesmaids dresses was gaining speed even before the royal wedding.  Not only have I seen this on wedding blogs, but Felicity C Weddings had a client in September 2010 who had two bridesmaids, both in knee length white dresses.  Kate's sister Pippa looked amazing, although a bit orange for my tastes, and may give more steam to this growing trend.

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Respected Holiday or Royal Hoopla?

It should come as no surprise that this royal wedding is becoming a news spectacle since the announcement was made less than a month ago. I heard on the news this week that there is speculation that Americans are actually more interested/ excited for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton than the British people are- which sounds kind of absurd.  I know I will either be getting up or DVR-ing the roal wedding on April 29, 2011.  However, I was surprised to hear that some brides are planning to wed on the same date intending to set up video screens so their guests can watch the royal wedding in the middle of their own receptions.  The wedding date has even been declared a holiday in England.  Talk about pressure.  At least the Prince will be able to remember his anniversary since it will be on every calendar from 2012 forward.

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I was equal parts shocked & in awe when I first saw this which is the British Historical Society's Royal Heirloom Ring, a replica of Princess Diana's engagement ring which her son Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with earlier this year.  I must admit that the majority of the items I have seen on tv (Elvis collectors plates, Superbowl/ World Series/ NBA Championship dvds, etc) that are obviously just companies trying to make a dime on people's sentiments have rubbed me the wrong way.  But, I almost teared up watching the video from The Royal Ring ad about how that ring was one of the few personal items that Prince William kept close to him after his mother passed away and now he has trusted this special ring to his future wife.  I honestly contemplated wanting one of my own but as of press time, my credit card is still safely in my wallet.  But I can't make any promises for what will happen after Christmas.  

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So let's all agree that this hoopla is definitely not normal.  Prince William has allegedly Snoop Dogg booked for his bachelor party and this past week Snoop released a song now referred to as the "anthem" for the occasion.  Snoop says, "when I heard the royal family wanted to have me perform in celebration of Prince William's marriage, I knew I had to give them a little something," (though there is no official word on the validity of his requested performance). "'Wet' is the perfect anthem for Prince William or any playa to get the club smokin'."   

 

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All of this leaves me thinking as a planner and being concerned about the couple.  I hope that the Prince and his future wife are able to enjoy the planning and stay excited without letting all the pressure get to them.  Would you want the whole world trying to find out every detail and capitalizing on your big day?  Or does it come with the territory being part of one of the oldest and most well known monarchies in the world?

Royal Budgeting

Tradition stands that the bride's family pays for the wedding.  Yet, a lot of modern couples are taking on the majority if not the total cost of the wedding.  Money is always a sensitive subject, especially when it is tied to such an emotion-filled and long awaited day such as a wedding.  More than any other etiquette or planning question, budgeting is always at the top of the list.  If the bride's parents pay does that mean that they have a lot of input into the planning?  What if they bride's family is unable to pay for the majority of the wedding, who should take over financial responsibility?  Do the groom's parents get to invite a large amount of people if they are not contributing financially?  What if they ARE contributing financially?  Its all enough to give you a headache and want to elope!

Now, imagine how overwhelming this budgeting must be if you are the newly engaged Prince William & Kate Middleton.  I am SO excited to witness a royal wedding and have been keeping up with all the news coverage.  It was announced today that the wedding date is set for April 29, 2011 and they will wed at historic Westminster Abbey in London.  More coverage has revealed that early estimates of the cost is expected to be close to $40 million not including the $20 million that the taxpayers will be paying for security.  All of the excitement around this royal wedding has certainly created larger than life expectations and the bottom line is that someone will be financially responsible for the wedding of the decade.  But who?  Are Kate's parents expected to foot the bill that no doubt will cover guests that are being invited solely because of proximity to the royal family?  Should the royal family pay for the wedding simply because they have the funds to cover such an extravagant affair?  I'm staying tuned to see how all of the planning unfolds (the dress! the decor!) and especially checking on the budgeting. 

 

November 16, 2010 The Royal Wedding was announced 

to the world! Source