King and Queen for a Day

3 ways to add a dash of royal style to your ceremony and reception

By Anna Sachse
CTW Features

British designers like Jenny Packham create regal dresses worthy of any royal occasion

Want to add some regal elements to your own upcoming soirée? Here are three ways to make sure you do royal right.

Attire

The Royals aren’t about overtly showy events and over-the-top glamour; they’re timeless elegance, says Mark Niemierko, founder of London-based Niemierko, a premiere wedding and event planning company. Ensure an elegant walk down the aisle by donning a gown (or get inspiration) from a classy British designer, such as Jenny Packham or Sassi Holford, and add a little courtly sparkle with a tiara over your veil.

“Kate Middleton will likely wear a diamond tiara as her headpiece, just like Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth II and other royal brides,” says Anne Chertoff, editor-in-chief of AisleDash.com. Most bridal salons carry a variety of rhinestone tiaras, or you can find them online.

To make a more show-stopping statement, you might also opt for a longer train – Princess Diana’s was over 20 feet long and Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson’s, which had her personal coat of arms embroidered on it, was only a few feet shorter, says Chertoff.

Venue

Because the services typically are quite religious, most royals say “I do” in an old and distinguished location, notes Chertoff. To give a naturally regal feel to your ceremony, look to your city’s more ornate churches and temples or other elegant and revered locations like museums.

Dessert

Both Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson had very tall, formal wedding cakes, wrapped in hard royal icing and decorated with a marzipan, says Chertoff. Add a sweet royal touch to your festivities with your own multi-tiered tower. But be warned – if you want to copy the traditional royal pastry itself, you better like fruitcake.

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