The Royal Wedding Countdown…

Just in case you haven’t heard, there is a rather important event taking place in just under two weeks time, yes that’s the one, the marriage of His Royal Highness Prince William to Catherine Elizabeth Middleton (or Kate as we have all known her).  To this end 5 Star Wedding Directory has been pounding the streets to bring you the best of everything Royal Wedding, latest updates, luxury memorabilia and the all important how to get there if you would like to join in with the festivities on April 29th, 2011.
 
Who will be designing Kate’s wedding gown, which hairstylist will she choose, where will the newlyweds be honeymooning? All questions that are gripping the nation and to some extent the rest of the world.

The Dress

At the moment all we know is there are three British contenders for designing the bridal gown, Bruce Oldfield, Sarah Burton and Jasper Conran. Unlike William’s mother Princess Diana, who announced her dress designer weeks in advance of the day, Kate is keeping it a closely guarded secret.  We also know that Victoria Beckham, has been approached as a possible designer for some of the honeymoon outfits, Kate really admires her pieces and once again, a British designer would be in keeping with the patriotic theme.
 
The Shoes

A girl can never have enough and obviously, Kate agrees; a royal insider has revealed that Kate has commissioned four pairs just for the wedding day!  The royal tradition is to wear ivory silk but whatever Kate chooses it has to be demure and a bride getting married in a Cathedral has to wear a closed shoe, these things will have to be taken into consideration.  The designers hotly tipped to make the shoes are, Aruna Seth and Georgina Goodman.

 
The Hair

Kate hair-do

Bad hair day?! This will never happen to Kate….
It has been revealed that her locks are to be teased into submission by a senior stylist, James Pryce of Chelsea’s Richard Ward Salon.  Richard Ward himself will be styling the hair of Mother of the bride Carole and Kate’s sister Pippa who will be Maid of Honour, up to six stylists from the salon will be on hand to help with the creations.
At the moment James Pryce charges £50.00 for styling and £88.00 for a cut and blow-dry but prices are rumoured to be rising after the 29th April.

richardward.com
 

Belgravia, The Goring Hotel

Clarence House confirmed that the Miss Catherine Middleton, accompanied by her immediate family, will spend the night before the wedding at London’s Historic and luxurious Goring Hotel.  Situated in prestigious Belgravia, The Goring is regarded as one of the most quintessentially English addresses in the heart of London.  Founded over a century ago and still run by 4th generation Goring family members, the 71 room hotel takes pride in highest levels of personal service and is sure to make the ideal pre-wedding base for Kate.

 

The Choir of Westminster Abbey -

Royal spokesman has said, “Both Prince William and Miss Middleton have taken a great deal of interest and care in choosing the music for their Service”.  Two choirs, one orchestra and two fanfare teams will perform the music at the Wedding Service of Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29th. These are:

•    The Choir of Westminster Abbey
•    The Chapel Royal Choir
•    The London Chamber Orchestra
•    The Fanfare Team from the Central Band of the Royal Air Force
•    The State Trumpeters of The Household Cavalry

For the first time in history, when Prince William marries Catherine Middleton next month, the Royal Wedding ceremony will be recorded and immediately released digitally by Decca Records.

The Royal Carriage

Of course, every princess must have her carriage and so it is without any surprise that the 1902 State Landau, specifically built for King Edward VII in 1902 and intended to be used at his Coronation, will carry the Bride and Bridegroom on their way back from the service at Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace.

The Reception and The Cake

The Royal Wedding reception will be held at Buckingham Palace and hosted by Her Majesty The Queen.  Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton have chosen Leicestershire-based cake designer Fiona Cairns to create their wedding cake.

In addition, the couple has also asked McVitie’s Cake Company to create a chocolate biscuit cake for the reception at Buckingham Palace. The chocolate biscuit cake will be made from a Royal Family recipe and was specially requested by Prince William.

the Procession

Watching the Procession

Whether you are in London, the suburbs or the highlands of Scotland, you will need to know times and routes for the royal procession which go past some of London’s most famous landmarks.  Fortunately, with all the technology now available, it is easy to find out all necessary information to get you to the church on time!

To make sure that you get to (or at least near) The Royal Wedding, Google has come up with a 3D Route Map taking in the procession route from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey and back again.  If all the crowds don’t appeal, you can view it at home from the comfort of your armchair.
googlelivesearch.com

Royal Parks - Royal Wedding

For those who want to soak up the atmosphere, Hyde Park in London will be showing the wedding live on three giant screens.  The screening areas will be open from 7 am and there will be food and drink stands available for everyone.  For more information visit royalparks.gov.uk

If you are not able to actually get to the wedding, make sure that you don’t miss a moment by downloading one of a dozen smartphone Wedding apps that are now available. These will enable you to share the special day with friends and family both here and abroad and update them as the day unfolds.  There is even a countdown clock so that you are able to time how many hours until William and Kate say ‘I Do’.
mobile88.com

Wedding Memorabilia that we love….

French Sole

French Sole has come up with an unusual, limited edition ballet pump with crown embellishment, for those wishing to walk the streets of London and strut their stuff in style, available on the 29th April for one day only. Pre-orders available at £150.00 while on the day they will be on sale for £98.00 frenchsole.com

Lulu Guinness clutch bag

If shoes are not your bag, excuse the pun, then go all patriotic with a Lulu Guinness clutch bag, the red white and blue union jack flag is moulded into sexy lip-shaped snakeskin, just the thing to wave in the air as the Royal Coach passes by. Price. £450.00 luluguinness.com

Kate may have the ring but that is no reason for lesser mortals to miss out.  Allumer jeweller Natasha Leigh-Smith has come up

Allumer jeweller Natasha Leigh-Smith,

with a beautiful sapphire and diamond necklace which can also be worn as a bracelet and has been designed as an homage to the famous engagement ring worn first by Princess Diana and now Kate Middleton.Made to order £255.00 allumer.co.uk

Tatty Devine

Kitch accessory company Tatty Devine also has Royal Wedding fever and has celebrated the day with the Kate and Wills Cameo collection in Perspex. These unusual pieces are sure to be winners and with prices starting from £21.00 for the ring, are an affordable memento of the special day tattydevine.com

Higo Boss Royal Tie

Gentlemen must not be overlooked in the celebrations and Hugo Boss has recognised this fact, their eye-catching Union Jack tie will certainly get heads turning at any Royal Wedding event,  made of silk in bold statement colours, the tie costs £70.00 and is available at Selfridges. selfridges.com

And if the boys would like to go all matching Marks and Spencer have the answer with their Union Jack cufflinks, at only £12.00 a pair who could refuse! marksandspencer.com

Food Glorious Food!

Tesco Royal Wedding Food

Once booted and suited, our thoughts turn to posh nosh.  What delights can we eat and drink at our post-wedding lunch/dinner? Once again, we found everything to be in hand with a host of gourmet professionals collectively creating a menu fit for a king and queen!

Champagne is the obvious choice, Tesco has a Prince William Champagne, from the house of Alexander Bonnet who registered Prince William’s name soon after he was born, Prince William and Royal Wedding are both emblazoned on the label and would be perfect for any royal wedding party. It sells at £24.99 a bottle with 20% off when a case is purchased. Tesco.com

Bristol Blue Glass

An unusual vessel to drink your bubbles from would be the blue crystal champagne flutes by Bristol Blue Glass, made to congratulate the Royal couple on their forthcoming marriage, the flutes are etched with their names and date of the wedding and come boxed with their own numbered certificate.  Offered at a special price of £29.99 + £5.00 PP bristolblueglass.com

 Ben Christopherson has created a special mini wedding cake for Selfridges

Sparkling Champagne requires fabulous nibbles to accompany it and so Chef Ben Christopherson has created a special mini wedding cake for Selfridges to celebrate the royal wedding.  The two-tier Victoria sponge cake is coated in white chocolate and vanilla buttercream and finished with a flourish in gold leaf. Only available to order in the week running up to the wedding at Selfridges food hall service desk. Tel 020 7318 3458

Hummingbird Bakery
Royal Cup Cake

If something more colourful appeals Hummingbird Bakery in London has vintage inspired cupcakes, pastel hues, featuring crowns, union jacks, royal wedding and flowers. Hummingbird can be found in Notting Hill, Soho and South Kensington. hummingbirdbakery.com Not in London? April Carter of Rhubarb and Rose has the answer with a postal service, royal wedding cake pops, choices include Will and Kate hearts, a mini wedding cake, union jack and sapphires as a reminder of the famous engagement ring. Costing £2.00 each + p&p with a minimum order of 8. rhubarbandrose.co.uk

 

royal wedding cushion
Royal Wedding Cushion

If all the festivities and fun get too much for you,  end the day relaxing on a royal wedding cushion, Fenwicks have a very classy example in muted colours with William and Catherine embroidered on the front…the perfect end to a perfect day! £99.00 at fenwick.co.uk/

Whether you’re watching the Royal Wedding on the television with family, having a royal party with friends or are going to venture into London to wave your union jack and soak up the atmosphere, enjoy this momentous occasion!  Comment below on what you’ll be doing to celebrate on April 29th or if you have found any amazing memorabilia that you’d like to share with 5 Star Wedding readers

Copyright 2011 5 Star Weddings