By James Novotny
Photography by Alexi Lubomirski
Royal weddings always seem to set the standard of weddings across the globe because of their luxurious imagery, old-world rules and political considerations guiding ceremonial options. The May nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has already sparked trends across the bridal industry for months to come, probably until the union of Princess Eugenie and Jack whose wedding is supposed to follow more formal English traditions. The following are just a handful of ideas to replicate the royal wedding on a less then royal budget.
Flowers by Furst Florist – Dayton, Ohio
The bouquet that Meghan’s carried contained handpicked stems, by Harry that came from their royal garden at Kensington Palace. The couple chose Forget-Me-Nots, to honor the late Princess Diana of Wales (Harry’s mother). The arrangement also contained sweet peas, lily of the valley, jasmine and astrantia, and myrtle. Replicating this flower arrangement is simple! Meghan opted for a monochromatic look with creams and whites with stunning greenery. Try a mix of baby’s breath, roses, carnations in all white mixed with Italian ruscus to replicate this royal look on a budget! Furst Florist’s Southern Hospitality and Song of Gratitude arrangements add a hint of color to otherwise monochromatic look you desire.
Meghan Markle is down to Earth American actress. This was reflected in a much more casual affair. Casual as a royal wedding can be that is. Her everyday makeup look has always been simple, exposing her freckles which is uncommon in Hollywood. She took this casual look to her wedding day focusing mostly on her eyes. Staying true to Meghan’s makeup style is keeping foundation simple and concentrating on the eyes. Try the drastically blended-out smoky eye she went with. Despite the dramatic eye, the blended appearance makes it more casual. Since the eye is more casual try to make your eyebrow more defined to juxtapose the look. If you want a more dramatic look try a bold lip shade. Prince Harry also went more causal leaving subtle scruff for his day-of.
David’s Bridal, (CWG765)
With our need for instant information and constant connection to mass media, dress shops began replicating Meghan’s dress within hours. Meghan wore a long-sleeved, boat-necked Givenchy dress with a 16 feet veil embroidered with flowers each of which represented the different Commonwealth countries. Within hours of seeing the dress, shops around the UK began replication. Most of us can’t afford Givenchy but replicating Meghan’s look is simple! Try a modified A-line loose fitting dress. The princess went more conservative with her look which is customary of royals so going for a boat neck, queen Anne, or halter neckline will give you the traditional princess look. If you want something extra try adding more lace to the bodice of the gown for your day-of. Oleg Cassini’s off-the-shoulder lace A-line wedding dress (CWG765) and David’s Bridal Collection long sleeve wedding dress with low back (WG3831), both sold at David’s Bridal offer a twist on Meghan’s conservative style with added lace.
Cake by The Cakey (Childer’s Photography) – Dayton, Ohio
Harry and Meghan broke the mold when it came to their cake. Royal weddings have featured fruitcakes for centuries, but the Duke and Duchess of Sussex decided to opt for a lemon sponge cake drizzled with elderflower syrup and full with a tart lemon curd. The icing was Swiss meringue buttercream with an elderflower. Instead of having one giant tiered cake they opted for three separate layers which is a huge trend right now. To replicate this look try the deconstructed style, instead of a tiered cake go for multiple layers laid out on your desert table. Citrus flavors can go in either direction, tart or sweet depending on what you choose. Lemon, lime, and orange are classic flavors that can be combined with creamy icings for a good bite.
They say replication is the sincerest form of flattery and if we look at the royal couple’s choice in cakes we can tell even the royals consider trends for their wedding and reception. When replicating someone’s big day even British royals be sure to make it your own! While a dress may look great on someone else that doesn’t mean it will look good on your body type. Cake flavors and make up styles can be inspired but creating a signature look that is all about you will lead to your own unforgettable royal experience.