Royal Wedding Effect

With all the excitement and press coverage of not only the Queens Diamond Jubilee, but also the London summer Olympics this year; one cannot help to look at the English Royal family, who is an ever-reigning symbol of elegance, class, and tradition. However, within the past couple of years the royal family has seen a bit of a youthful rejuvenation. According to many this is because of two words. Kate Middleton. A woman not only embodying all that the royal family stands for, but also providing it with a fresh face and relevance to the younger generations. Millions of viewers set their alarm clocks early that morning of April 29^th 2011 (myself included) to watch this everyday girl marry her prince charming (literally).

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Now you are all probably wondering what on earth does Kate Middleton and the royal wedding have to do with my own wedding planning or special day? Well the effects of that historic morning can be seen in many great recent trends. Everything from the lace, to the use of trees in the ceremony, to even the resurface of white bridesmaids dresses can be tied back to that particular day in what I am going to call – the royal wedding effect.

Lace has always been a classic, go-to material when planning a wedding. However, it seems that within the past year lace and all the ways it can be incorporated have skyrocketed. Everything from the gown, to the invitations, to even the slightest décor detail lace seems to have found a place. Personally, I love the lace wedding gown trend. I find it to be the perfect combination of class and elegance, all the while maintaining a fashionable and girly sense. So many more lace gowns have gained popularity and it can be pinpointed back to the one woman who has graced the pages of so many of the best-dressed lists.

Another trend is the tree lined wedding ceremony and the use of lily of the valley flowers. Again, brought in to popularity from the royal wedding, it has become an excellent way to bring the outdoors inside. Want to have your ceremony in a church or another place of worship but still want to have fresh and outdoorsy elements? No worries, with the incorporation of trees indoors and a lily of the valley bouquet it allows for all your dreams to come true!

Although an ancient British tradition, white bridesmaids dresses are gaining popularity here in America now too all thanks to Pippa Middleton. Although we are seeing the trends in various different styles and designs, there is no denying that the white bridesmaid dress trend is definitely alive and well among American brides nowadays.

Long veils and tiaras have always been a favorite among brides. Ever since the bride was a little girl she has been dreaming about her wedding day, hoping to for one day feel like a princess. There is no better way to do that and have that princess-like feeling than wearing a sparkling jeweled tiara and a long and elegant veil. It is an extremely elegant trend that again is one of my favorites.

Finally, and maybe the most interesting trend that has resulted as part of the royal wedding effect, the increase in the usage of the horse and carriage. Again, playing in to the fantasy that all girls have of the princess for a day, the horse and carriage ride with their “prince charming” is a must. Not only is it a very romantic way to begin your new lives together, it is also the perfect princess-like ending to your fairytale wedding. It is interesting however because Kate Middleton did not even arrive to her own fairytale affair in a horse and carriage, instead opting for an arrival at Westminster in Queen Elizabeth’s Rolls Royce Phantom. Although arguably just as nice, American brides are opting for the wedding related horse and carriage rentals to create the finishing touch to their perfect day.

What do you think of all the royal wedding inspired trends? Did you wake up early to watch Prince William and Kate Middleton say “I Do”? Would you incorporate any of these ideas in to your own fairy tale wedding?

xoxo Lauren