Written by Madelyn Smith

AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER!

The royal wedding was on Saturday, May 19th, 2018. Prince Harry finally got his fairytale ending and wed actress Meghan Markle. 30 million people tuned in to watch the royal event to see this historic wedding of the Duke & Duchess of Sussex.

 The Location

The ceremony took place in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. Windsor Castle is known to be one of the Queen’s most favorite residences. After their service, the newly-weds had a carriage procession through the town of Windsor. Their afternoon reception was in St. George’s Hall, where they were able to greet guests. Their special day ended with a dinner party, hosted by Prince Charles, for close friends and family.

 

source: wikipedia

Prince Harry and Meghan rode in the Ascot Landau carriage for the procession on their special day.

How are you celebrating the #RoyalWedding? Thank you to the amazing crowds in Windsor for the incredible reception for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex today.

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on May 19, 2018 at 7:27am PDT

 

The Wedding Invitations

Following tradition, the invitations were produced by Barnard and Westwood. The invitations used black and gold ink and had The Three Feather Badge of The Prince of Wales stamped on them.

Invitations to the wedding of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle, which will take place at Windsor Castle on May 19, have been issued in the name of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. Guests have been invited to the service at St George’s Chapel and to the lunchtime reception at St George’s Hall, which is being given by Her Majesty The Queen. The invitations follow many years of Royal tradition and have been made by @barnard_and_westwood. They feature the Three-Feathered Badge of the Prince of Wales printed in gold ink. ? @pa

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Mar 22, 2018 at 10:46am PDT

 

The Guest List

No surprise this was a star-studded event and they all came dressed to impress. This includes:

• Serena Williams ( a BFF of Meghan’s)

A post shared by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) on May 19, 2018 at 2:26am PDT

• The Beckhams (close to royal family and attended Prince William’s and Kate’s wedding)

• source: Getty Images // via town & country

  Elton John (was a close friend to Princess Diana and performed at the reception)

• • source: shutterstock // via rolling stone

    Suits cast

Giant thank you to @blackcatstyling, @averyplewes and the one and only @shradercomms for helping me look presentable enough to stand next to this beautiful woman. And a big thank you to @canali1934 @antoshirt @piaget @iwcwatches @grensonshoes and @thetiebar for the expertise and craftsmanship.

A post shared by Patrick Adams (@halfadams) on May 19, 2018 at 9:08am PDT

• Amal and George Clooney ( the best-dressed couple at the wedding)

source: Getty Images / WPA Pool

 

Harry and Meghan had also invited 2,640 people to come to the grounds of Windsor Castle to watch the arrivals of guests and to see the carriage procession after. This included people from the public, charities the couple work with, students from local schools, and community members of the castle. Kensington Palace announced a few of the attendees from the public.

Members of the public from around the UK have this week learned that they will be amongst the 2,640 people at Windsor Castle for Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle’s wedding. pic.twitter.com/cjAHVEF4gu

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 10, 2018

 

The Cake

Kensington Palace announced that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had chosen chef Claire Ptak to make the cake for their big day. Their cake was everything spring; a lemon elderflower cake topped with buttercream frosting and fresh flowers. The chef has ties to Ms. Markle as she was once interviewed for the bride-to-be’s website, The Tig. 

We’re in love with this flavor choice! Check out our elderflower gin recipe that has us feelin’ like royalty with every sip.

For their wedding cake Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have chosen pastry chef Claire Ptak, owner of the London-based bakery @violetcakeslondon. The couple have asked Claire to create a lemon elderflower cake that will incorporate the bright flavours of spring. It will be covered with buttercream and decorated with fresh flowers? Claire Ptak, who was raised in California, focuses on using seasonal and organic ingredients in her cakes. Ms. Markle previously interviewed Chef Ptak for her lifestyle website The Tig. Prince Harry and Ms. Markle are looking forward to sharing the cake with guests at their wedding at Windsor Castle on May 19th. ?PA

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Mar 20, 2018 at 3:35am PDT

Here is the finished cake that was served at the reception!

The wedding cake is to be served at the Reception. It was designed by Claire Ptak and features elderflower syrup made at The Queen’s residence in Sandringham from the estate’s own elderflower trees, as well as a light sponge cake uniquely formulated for the couple. #royalwedding

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on May 19, 2018 at 7:05am PDT

 

The Flowers

Philippa Craddock will design the flowers for the wedding and the reception in St. George. The flower arrangements will include white garden roses, peonies, and foxgloves with branches of birch, beech, and hornbeam. The flowers will be sourced from local parks and royal estates. Following tradition, Meghan’s bouquet will contain at least one sprig of myrtle.  From Elizabeth to Diana to Kate, royal bouquets have included this since Queen Victoria’s wedding in 1840.

 

source: yahoo

Luckily, peonies are one of Meghan’s favorite flowers! She had posted pictures of them on her deleted social media accounts.

source: the sun

 

Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle have chosen floral designer @philippacraddock to create the church flowers for their wedding? The displays in St George’s Chapel will feature foliage from The Crown Estate and Windsor Great Park, and will use seasonal plants including branches of beech, birch and hornbeam, as well as white garden roses, peonies and foxgloves. The designs will reflect the wild and natural landscapes from which many of the plants will be drawn. The Royal Parks will also supply pollinator-friendly plants from their wildflower meadows. These plants provide a great habitat for bees and help to sustain healthy and biodiverse ecosystems. ?PA

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Apr 1, 2018 at 1:16am PDT

The Photographer

Meghan and Harry have decided that Alexi Lubomirski will take their official photos post-ceremony at Windsor Castle. Lubomirski is the same photographer that took their engagement photos, which means there are probably more candid photos of the couple to come!! 

#PressRelease from #KensingtonPalace this morning! @kensingtonroyal I could not be more thrilled or honoured to photograph this historic occasion.  Having taken Prince Harry and Ms. Markle’s engagement photos, it brings me such joy to be able to witness again, the next chapter in this wonderful love story. ?

A post shared by Alexi Lubomirski photo (@alexilubomirski) on Apr 13, 2018 at 4:30am PDT

The Wedding Party

The wedding will be a royal family affair. It was confirmed that Prince William will be Prince Harry’s Best Man. It is assumed that Prince George will be a pageboy and that Princess Charlotte will be a flower girl. Since the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge just welcomed their third child, Prince Louis, Kate will have no role in the wedding except to enjoy the ceremony.

Prince Harry has asked his brother The Duke of Cambridge to be his Best Man at his wedding to Ms. Meghan Markle. The Duke of Cambridge is honoured to have been asked, and is very much looking forward to supporting his brother at St George’s Chapel, Windsor on May 19th. Prince Harry served as best man to The Duke of Cambridge at his wedding to Miss Catherine Middleton in 2011 ?PA

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Apr 26, 2018 at 2:31am PDT

Meghan Markle’s Maid of Honor remains a mystery. It has been confirmed though by Priyanka Chopra that she is not the Maid of Honor. This leaves two big contenders, Markle’s mother Doria Ragland or her longtime BFF Jessica Mulroney.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte arrive with The Duke of Cambridge at St Mary’s Hospital to meet their little brother.

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Apr 23, 2018 at 8:55am PDT

 

The Ring

It’s all about the ring! Prince Harry designed the ring himself. The ring includes one diamond from Botswana and two smaller stones from Diana’s collection. There is a deeper meaning behind Harry’s choice. Not only does it have a tribute to his mother, Harry also refers to Botswana as his “second home”. The couple has vacationed there together on occasion.

Getty Images