Weddingbee Blog

I have lived in Canada my whole life, but both my parents emigrated here from England (I was even at dad’s citizenship ceremony, at a few months old), so I grew up in a very British household. I love the Queen! It makes me sad when I hear other Canadians talking about ‘getting rid’ of the monarchy. I have lined up on the sidewalk just to catch a glimpse of the Queen and Prince Philip when they’ve visited, and my mum has more than a couple Royal memorabilia plates and cups at home. I like the tradition of having a Queen of Canada, and I’m not too sure why some people want to separate themselves. She doesn’t have any day-to-day say in our government, and when the odd thing does come up, the matters go to our Governor General, the Queen’s official representative in Canada, who is a Canadian. My monarchist tenancies aside, I am so looking forward to the Royal Wedding! I will also admit to having a crush on Prince William when I was younger.

But, let’s focus on Kate! Dresses! Veils! Jewels! Just imagine planning a wedding with that budget, and that guest list (Her Majesty, Elton John, Posh & Becks…). Here is what I think will pan out on Friday:

I have a feeling that strapless might not fly in Westminster Abbey, but I don’t see Kate going for full sleeves. I have no idea who her dress designer will be, but I think something like this dress from Watters, with wide straps/cap sleeves and a full back will be the general style:

Watters Escalante – silk taffeta, hand-embroidered bodice.

She wears her hair down at a lot of events, so I’m going to go out on a limb and say she’ll have it half-up for the wedding to still feel like herself, just dressed up.

I’m also betting on veil but no tiara—I know Diana wore a tiara to her wedding, but that was the Spencer family tiara, and I don’t think the Middleton family has an heirloom tiara. I think the veil will be long, but not cover her face. Do you count the length of the veil from the top part that is on your head? In that case, I think it’d be around 10 feet long. Long, but nowhere near the 24′ Princess Diana wore.

I think Kate is a very modern woman, and is probably being forced into more pomp and ceremony than she might want. I think she will wear coloured heels under her dress. They’ll be there, but not necessarily visible all the time, and not making a huge statement like wearing a red dress would be. Imagine the field day the media would have with that?!

I see choosing royal blue as a colour for her Maid of Honour’s dress. I’m assuming William and his brother Harry will both be wearing their military uniforms (or versions of), and think having a MOH in blue would complement that nicely. Though I suppose that depends which uniform he wears, as he has served in the RAF, the navy, and the army. I’m sure the MOH’s dress will be long, and also not strapless, although I could see this one with a nice bolero or straps added:

Watters Style 7716 in Marine – silk taffeta

I think the ceremony will be a longer one, being in the Abbey, maybe an hour and a half to two hours.

They’re going to have many mouths to feed, so I am guessing the cake will be 5 layers.

I think the main theme of the food and the flowers will be local. Although Prince William is heir to the throne of many countries, I think it would be a great thing if they focused on British food, British flowers, and (I hope) a British dress designer. I can just imagine the Royal chefs putting gourmet spins on Yorkshire pudding and shepherd’s pie and things like that. Fresh Devon cream on the desserts, a cheese plate with cheese from all over the British Isles (Y Fenni for Wales, Dubliner for Ireland, Lanark Blue for Scotland, and of course, good English cheddar, from the village of Cheddar), English roses in the bouquet… they have the resources give the British economy a little nudge by putting the spotlight on British producers, and I think it is a great opportunity for them.

What’s your favourite British food?

(I’d have to say Yorkshire puds, or sticky toffee pudding depending on whether we’re talking dinner or dessert. Y Fenni is also my absolute favourite cheese that I have a hard time finding here.)