My Favorite Royal Wedding Highlights

After much hemming and hawing over where in London to watch the Royal Wedding today, I decided late last night that Brandon and I would head into the heart of it all and join thousands in Hyde Park to watch the proceedings on the jumbo screens, and meet up with fellow wedding blogger Gaby of Cap Classique. I am so glad I did! For several reasons: Gaby is so sweet and it was amazing to watch with someone who loves/knows weddings as much as I do, the atmosphere was fantastic and it felt very British, we got to drink champagne and have tea sandwiches + cheese while watching, and most importantly we got to watch the whole wedding on the screens versus waiting/standing for hours along the route to possibly catch a glimpse of them as they went by. Here's my highlights for the day in photos!

1. Catching my first glimpse of THE dress.

It literally took my breath away as soon as I saw it as Kate getting into the car to travel to Westminster Abbey (on the screen in Hyde Park). I am a huge fan of the 1950's silhouette and the timeless look of lace. I thought it was very Grace Kelly yet Kate made it her own. It was very classic, and so elegant. Her dress featured embroidered rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock to represent each nation of the UK - the symbolism and meaning were so perfect for what she was going for with the whole feel of the wedding.

2. Hyde Park viewing party (and getting to wear a fab fascinator!)

Me poppin' champagne in Hyde Park

The crowd was so exciting to be around, everyone was picnicking, I got to watch the wedding with Gaby of Cap Classique and my hubby while drinking champagne. What more could you ask for?

Gaby of Cap Classique and me

3. Watching the ceremony.

Because who doesn't love wedding ceremonies? My hubby Brandon took the these from where we were sitting in the  crowd.

4. Confetti!

4. Getting to eat a piece of THE Royal wedding cake.

Yep. Official royal wedding cake baker Fiona Cairns made 50 extra frosted cakes as a backup and so Brandon and I both got our very own {free} pieces of the royal wedding cake this afternoon at Selfridges on Oxford Street, not far from Buckingham Palace and the Mall. The wedding cake was a traditional English fruitcake, but trust me it was not like you would usually think of fruitcake as being! This was moist, flavorful and delightful. It was frosted first in marzipan and then in fondant. Yum.

5. Will & Kate's classic car getaway.

LOVED this part because it was so cute and unexpected. At the end of the day, they are a real life couple, and I thought it was such a sweet surprise that they would have their own classic car getaway and get to personalize their big day that way. 

Tell me, what was your favorite part of the Royal Wedding?

Royal Wedding Flowers

There was a ton of buzz around London today as Westminster Abbey began to have trees (yes, trees!) and flowers moved inside in preparation for the Royal Wedding on Friday. The flowers and trees are  coming from the Valley Gardens of Great Windsor Park, and Prince William himself asked the Queen's permission to use them. (What a resourceful groom!) Here's what I've learned so far about what we can expect to see flower-wise on Friday:

Photo: Sang Tan/AP

The couple have chosen Shane Connolly as their florist, and he will be decorating both the ceremony at Westminster Abbey and the reception at Buckingham Palace. Kate and William liked that he is a 'green' florist with a focus on seasonal, local, organic and sustainable flowers and plants.

Kate Middleton worked closely with Connolly on the floral concept, and very much wanted to incorporate a theme of "The Language of Flowers" into the day - a sweet Victorian tradition where each flower has a special meaning. Kate wanted a neutral scheme of green and white.

via Kingdom of Style

The Look: The look they are going for promises to be very natural but with a romantic "enchanted woodland" feel. "The Abbey will be very romantic and everything will be seasonal, British and sustainable," Royal Wedding florist Shane Connolly explained. "I want everything to look as though it has been gathered from a garden."

The Details: Inside the Abbey, an "avenue" of tall trees will line the aisle - including English Field Maples and Hornbeams. These and will be planted in wooden tubs that have been hand painted to replicate the worn stone of the medieval Abbey's pillars. One 20 ft tall tree will be at the very front of the Abbey.

"The aim is the Abbey looks unpretentious and simple and natural and that it reflects the fact that Catherine is a country girl at heart and that the couple are the best of British."

Among the flowers that may be used are "buds and blossoming branches of azaleas, cherry blossoms, magnolia, rhododendron, viburnum and weeping birch - all predominantly white and fresh green; the scent of garden jasmine, wisteria and lilac."

Post-wedding, the flowers will be left in the Abbey for viewing until May 6. (I will definitely be going to check them out!) Then the trees will be taken to the gardens at Price Charles' home Highgrove for planting. Many of the cut plants and flowers will be donated to local charities.

Kate's Bouquet: The details on the bridal bouquet are still under wraps, but expect to see a spring of myrtle - every royal bride since queen Victoria has carried one in her bouquet. I hear lily of the valley may also show up in the bouquet, which is traditionally all white. After the wedding, following tradition, Kate's bouquet will be sent back to the Abbey to be lain at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.

Sprig of white myrtle via Helena Carter Weddings

Article sources: BBC News, People, Homes & Property

Tuesday Shoesday

In honor of a certain upcoming Royal Wedding, this felt quite regal. A dedicated footstool for the Valentino bow d'orsay pumps and crown topped skeleton keys for a ring picture - very stately indeed.

Photos: Erin Hearts Court via Style Me Pretty

And thanks so much to Style Me Pretty for including my Guide to Royal Wedding Souvenirs in your Friday Link Love! ♥

The Marry You Me Guide to Royal Wedding Souvenirs

With the Royal Wedding just over a week away, I thought I'd share my favorite keepsakes that I've found here in London - no tacky tourist stuff here! I know many of you are burnt out on the whole Royal Wedding hoopla, but I'm in London so I'd be remiss not to talk about it, and these pretty finds just may change your mind. :)

My fave takeaway food spot + department store chain Marks & Spencer (aka M&S) commissioned illustrator Kate Forrester to design a commemorative tin for the Royal Wedding. I just adore the design so I snagged my own tin yesterday and am enjoying the yummy biscuits inside! 

This sweet china plate is the anthesis of tacky. Plate by The House That Lars Built on Etsy, $42.75

A giclee and letterpress print showing the processional route of the Royal Wedding. (I got this same design on a cute tote!) Print by The House That Lars Built on Etsy, $65, tote $22.50

The Official Royal China commissioned in honor of the wedding, made with input from Kate and Wills. Doves, white ribbons, with hearts in silver, gold and grey, are set against a pale-grey striped background. (I've seen the china and it so much prettier in person!)

I'm getting this cute "official" little pill box as a souvenir. We've ended up collecting different limoge boxes and pill boxes of places we've been since we started dating. The perfect small souvenir. Pill box, £25

Go for some Victorian era charm with these Royal Wedding Cameo earrings from Tatty Devine, £39

Tea towels are a much nicer name for dish towels, and I like the cheeky Brit-ness of this one. Tea towel, Oliver Bonas, £10

And what would a post about British souvenirs be without tea? Harney & Sons was commissioned by the Historic Royal Palaces to create a commemorative Royal Wedding Tea blend - "a union of Chinese mutan white tea buds, with almond, coconut and vanilla to taste, and a floral abundance of pink rosebuds and petals. A regal tea blend to celebrate a glorious occasion." Royal Wedding tea, Harney & Sons, $12 for 30 tea sachets

Tuesday Shoesday

I am loving these pretty coral nails paired with gold accessories and a lush bouquet of garden roses...why not have a sweet coral and gold flat to match?

Credits: Photo by Kate Osborne Photography, Kate Spade 'Elaina' flat, $225

Spring 2012 Runway: Carol Hannah

Last year I was lucky enough to go to New York and get to attend the a party for Carol Hannah at Michael C. Fina for the launch of her first bridal collection. This year, she had a runway show for her new Spring 2012 bridal collection, and sadly since I'm in London I couldn't attend. I love Carol Hannah's feminine, romantic yet modern style, and the dreamy, ethereal way she drapes fabric. Her dresses are truly works of art up close with gorgeous hand detailing. After I saw the pictures from the show, I knew I had to share! Here are some of my favorites...

photos: via Brides

It's hard for me to name a favorite, but I am really loving the dress on the left in the first row. 

What's your favorite??

Inspiration Board: Turquoise and Fuchsia

Happy Friday dear readers! I have to apologize for the uncharacteristic blog silence lately. Being over here in London has kept me much busier than I anticipated, but Marry You Me has been my life for the past two years and I want to get back on track with my posting. I'll occasionally be sharing some of my favorites from the archives, which hopefully some of you have never seen before. Thanks so much for sticking with me! - Annie

This board was inspired by the photo of the bride with the fabulous Balenciaga scarf and the bike, and I picked up on the colors from the scarf to translate into a color palette of turquoise, fuschia, green and yellow. The bride's ruffled Melissa Sweet 'Billie' dress inspired the ruffled cake topped with fresh pink flowers, and the tablescape has a sophisticated and clean look with taupe, white and pops of pink. The gorgeous invitation by Amanda Joy is vintage and pure typography loveliness. I love the idea of patterns being used, maybe for the bridesmaids dresses or even for lounge seating during the cocktail hour.

Credits: Click photo, then rollover for credits/links.

Inspiration Board: Spring Garden

Spring has sprung here in London and I am loving all of the tulips, daffodils and flowering trees that are in bloom. Spring is the time when pretty print fabrics begin to make their first appearances of the year as well on dresses, shoes, shirts and ties. I think that a garden theme mixed with mismatched spring prints + patterns, textures and colors would make for a wonderful and interesting homespun, lovely + fun wedding.

Credits: 1st row - embroidery hoops {Handmade Weddings} graphic print {via Kate Spade} wheat grass seating cards {One Lovely Day}

2nd row - bride and groom {Martha Stewart Weddings} jam favor {Postcards & Pretties} fabric wrapped boxes {Handmade Weddings} shortbread rhubarb cookies {Martha Stewart Weddings} 

3rd row - paper bag place setting {Wedding Style Guide} poppy and wheatgrass centerpiece {Martha Stewart Weddings} rock candy cake {Martha Stewart Weddings} milk glass + twine table number vases {Wedding Style Guide}

Tuesday Shoesday

Greetings from London! For today's Shoesday I was feeling the golden element in both of these pictures, hinted at by the gold flowers in the bouquet and the bride's gold bracelet paired with these shoes that have just enough sparkle and scallops to pair with her ruffled dress. 

Credits: Shoes by Lola Cruz {BHLDN} bride photo {synecdoche photography via Style Me Pretty}

See you tomorrow as I attempt to begin posting on a regular schedule :)

Guest Post on A Realistic Wedding

Happy Friday! I'm guest posting today over on my friend Claire's blog 'A Realistic Wedding' sharing some of my favorite {bargain} honeymoon essentials while Claire is off sunning herself with her new husband Elliot on their honeymoon in Turks & Caicos! Make sure to stop by her blog and check out my list :)