Last week, Clarence House announced the exciting news that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are now engaged – bringing a celebratory end to the proposal speculations that has surrounded them for many months. We couldn’t be happier for them and we are so excited for their Royal Wedding! The proposal was a low-key but a super lovely surprise for Meghan, with the Prince popping the question whilst the couple cooked a roast dinner together – aww! And then there’s the ring. Designed by Prince Harry himself, using two diamonds that belonged to his mother, Princess Diana, it’s the most stunning and sentimental ring that we have seen.

Their wedding date is set for Spring 2018, so the Royal Wedding is only a few months away and we can hardly contain our excitement! We can’t wait to follow their wedding planning progress and make predictions for Meghan Markle’s wedding dress, venue and theme. So, here’s a look at the Royal Wedding theme and how you can recreate the look yourself.

Venue

If you’ve chosen a Royal Wedding theme, your big day needs to exude royal elegance and class. Think breathtaking centrepieces, sparkling chandeliers and rich, jewelled tones. Choose a venue that has a neutral backdrop that will suit your rich colour scheme, has built-in elegance, like a sparkling chandelier, and a sense of class that will make you feel like a princess on the day. The Manor at Old Down Estate is the perfect venue for a royal wedding, with the feature staircase, stunning chandeliers and lovely grounds that have a real traditional wedding-luxe feel.

The Dress

Just hours after the engagement was announced, designer Sassi Holford took to Instagram to post her illustrated prediction of Meghan’s Royal Wedding dress. A slender, full sleeve bateau neackline gown with a gently cascading skirt with an embellished finished featured around the neckline and sleeves. Leading UK dress designer, Stephanie Allin has also posted a stylish illustration featuring a plunging V-neckline, embellished gathered waistline and a modern over skirt – a modern take on a traditional fairytale-esque design.

Back in 2011, we were graced with Will & Kate’s Royal Wedding – where Kate’s dress was the most talked about dress of the year! Her ivory gown featured a satin bodice and incorporated floral motifs cut from machine-made lace and the famous long sleeves feature delicate hand-cut Chantilly lace. The skirt was crafted with satin arches and pleats with a 9ft train.

What’s similar in all of these Royal wedding dresses? The long sleeves!

For your Royal Wedding, you could go full traditional with tailored lace, long sleeves or opt for a more modern finish with a plunging neckline and a circular flounce long sleeve. For more wedding dress trends, read our 2018 wedding dress trends blog.

Traditions

“Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe”

This tradition comes from an Old English rhyme and the four objects that the bride adds to her wedding outfit or carries with her on her big day are just the good luck charms. Don’t stress too much about them – they are little tokens of love your mother, sister, other relatives and attendants will give you at the eleventh hour; although you can give them to yourself, too!

Something Old

Something old represents continuity. We love the idea of wearing your mothers or grandmothers jewellery on the big day. It could be a brooch, necklace, pair of earnings, christening bracelet or even an old family veil. Something old doesn’t have to mean clothing or accessories – so it could be an old family cake topper or another family heirloom.

Something New

Something new offers optimism for the future. Your something new is most likely to be your wedding dress or your new husband! If you’re recycling a family wedding dress or borrowing one, then what else would be good that’s new? Kate Middleton wore a new pair of diamond earrings on her wedding day that her parents had commissioned especially for her. Many grooms buy their brides-to-be a gift that is presented to them on the morning of their wedding; something like a pearl bracelet, earrings or a necklace.

Alternatively, if you’re not into possessions you could treat yourself to something that would give you a different look; a new hair colour, teeth whitening, laser eye surgery, or even just a new lipstick if your budget is tight. Just make sure your something new is something practical that you’re going to enjoy in the long term.

Something Borrowed

Something borrowed symbolises borrowed happiness. Kate Middleton had the ultimate borrowed accessory on her wedding day when the queen lent her a sparkling vintage diamond tiara. While your in-laws may not have something quite as valuable to lend you, your mother-in-law may be delighted to lend you a vintage accessory or brooch to decorate your bridal bouquet; particularly if she hasn’t had any daughters as brides herself. Another item to borrow if a veil, tradition veils aren’t particularly inspired by fashion, so they’re a good classic item to borrow and you’ll certainly save by doing so.

Something Blue

Something blue stands for purity, love, and fidelity. We see lot’s of brides add a bit of blue to their garter as something blue, but you could choose a more visible blue accessory. Light blue wedding shoes can look amazing with a traditional wedding dress, and if you had a sapphire engagement ring, then maybe that could be your’ something blue. You could also opt for hints of blue in your table decorations, invitations, flowers or accessories.

How about a coloured wedding dress? It doesn’t have to be in a dramatic shade but pale blues and pinks are right on trend now for wedding gowns – think of Jessica Biel in her blush pink dress on her wedding day to Justin Timberlake!

And a silver sixpence for your shoe!

The classic rhyme ends with a silver sixpence in your shoe. A sixpence in your shoe is a wish for good fortune and prosperity. You don’t have to wear this all the time, but this is something you could borrow from a friend who had one on her big day, that way you could double your luck!