How to Plan Your Wedding, Royals Style

by Michele Laufik, Posted May 12th 2011 3:51PM

royal wedding inspiration GF/bauergriffinonline.com

We asked Annie Lee, principal planner at Daughter of Design, how you can incorporate elements from Prince William and Kate Middleton's royal nuptials into your own wedding:

Do you think white and ivory bridesmaid dresses will become popular because of Pippa Middleton?
I hope so! I think a bridesmaid in white or ivory shows a certain confidence from the bride that she can share the color and still shine. There are a few guidelines though. The bride's dress should be more ornate, fuller and/or significant so that she stands out and distinguishes herself from the other ladies. On this note, a guest in white is still taboo!

Taking inspiration from Kate's sapphire ring, what are some other colored stone (or non-traditional) engagement ring styles that guys should look for?
Any of the precious and rare gemstones are great options: ruby, emerald, sapphire. Also, diamonds come in a variety of colors like pink, yellow and black. Guys, try to pick a color that is flattering and goes well with the tones that your fiancee typically wears. Remember, this is an accessory that is worn every day so you want it to be something that complements her daily life!

Which types of flowers should brides choose for an all-white bouquet and centerpieces?
There are lots of beautiful white flowers. I think it depends on the season and the theme of the wedding. For modern, loft-type weddings, I love white callas, tulips and orchids as some options. For springy garden weddings, you have to go for the ever-coveted peonies and ranunculus!

Which blooms give you the most bang for your buck?
Roses are always wallet friendly. Plus, since florists pay for flowers per stem, blooms like hydrangeas are great because each one is so voluminous and help make your arrangement look fuller -- meaning less flowers needed [and less money spent].

Prince Harry reportedly had bacon sandwiches for late-night party guests. How else can couples can treat their guests after an evening reception?
I love my food trucks and they are so hot right now. Have your favorite food truck or two park in front of your venue and treat your guests to a Belgian waffle, ice cream cone or an In-N-Out burger even!

royal wedding inspiration
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royal wedding inspiration Beth Keiser

Most couples won't depart in a horse-drawn carriage, but what are some other memorable ways husband and wife can make their exit?
I have had couples do some very amazing, very memorable exits. A bride surprised her groom with the Vespa he had been dreaming about for years. When they came outside to leave, he found it parked out front with a "Just Married" sign, some tin can streamers and matching helmets.

My favorite ever, though, was a groom who surprised his bride with a 25-foot crescent moon made of fabric that he built onto a golf cart. It only went 5 MPH; it took them about 30 minutes to get to their hotel less than a mile away but they had the ride of their lives!

Anything else couples can copy from Prince William and Kate's ceremony?
The ceremony music played quite a significant role in the royal wedding. The choirs and hymns work well, say, if you're off to marry a crowned prince but it can be too much pageantry and fanfare for us commoners. I'm not too confident this trend will trickle down to the masses I'm afraid. So if the Hubert Parry anthems aren't your cup of British tea, try something a bit more contemporary and meaningful like Train's "Marry Me."

Tags: bouquet, bridesmaid dresses, engagement ring, Kate Middleton, pippa middleton, Prince William, reception, royal wedding