a muse + delight: The Royal Wedding: Style

b r i d e

Kate's style was timeless with a vintage feel. Her look will be just as elegant and relevant decades from now: scalloped lace long-sleeve overlay, sweetheart neckline, waist-cinching bodice, full A-line skirt, and a pavé tiara among loose waves. The fact that her soft white gown was designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen is chic, modern and very cool.

The lace applique on the bodice and skirt was handcrafted by artisans from the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace, paying homage to the Arts and Crafts Tradition (her something old). Individual lace roses, daffodils, thistles and shamrocks were hand-cut and applied using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in Ireland in the 1820s. Craftsmen washed their hands every thirty minutes to keep the lace and thread pristine, and needles were renewed every three hours to keep them sharp. The bodice draws on the tradition of Victorian corsetry, a source of inspiration for Alexander McQueen's designs. The veil was made of silk tulle trimmed by RSN with hand-embroidered flowers.*

Two names crossed my mind when I saw her in that transparent-top Rolls: Grace Kelly and Monique Lhuillier. Lhuillier's gowns are exquisitely feminine, the perfect blend of modern and traditional, which is exactly how I describe Princess Grace's wedding gown.

The Queen lent Kate's something borrowed, the Cartier halo tiara commissioned by King George VI (then the Duke of York) for his wife (later Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother). Kate did her own makeup. I can say, from personal experience, that this requires a level of concentration nearly impossible for a bride-to-be to harness. Be forewarned.

Kate's parents gave her the Robinson Pelham earrings, diamond-set stylized oak leaves with hanging diamond acorn. The design was inspired by the Middleton family's new coat of arms, which Kate's father, Michael Middleton, recently commissioned.

Decoding the crest's symbols: Oak tree - symbol of England, feature of west Berkshire, home to the family : 3 acorn sprigs - Michael and Carole + their 3 children : Gold Chevron - Carole, center of the family, and her maiden name (Goldsmith) : White chevrons - peaks and mountains, family's love of Lake District and skiing : Red and blue - distinguish it from a similar 16th-century crest**

When Princess Diana passed away, Princes William and Harry each chose something belonging to her to keep as a memento. William chose her watch. Harry chose the iconic sapphire ring with the understanding that it would go to the brother who got engaged first.

Kate's bouquet draws on Royal Family and Middleton family traditions and the Language of Flowers. Lily of the Valley - return of happiness, also used in Diana's wedding bouquet : Hyacinth - constancy of love : ivy - fidelity, friendship, affection : Myrtle from a plant Queen Victoria planted in 1845 : Sweet William - gallantry, a sweet nod to the groom. The tradition of carrying myrtle was inspired by the myrtle nosegay that Prince Albert's grandmother gave Queen Victoria during a visit to Germany.

For the dinner reception, Kate is wearing a gown of soft white strapless satin with silver diamante waist by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen with an angora bolero.

g r o o m • b e s t m a n

Princes William and Harry lingered in front of Westminster and Harry casually turned to William and said "shall we go in?" as if they were on their way to pub. Ha! He's throwing a Survivors party at 6am. I want to hear his best man speech, though I am a tad anxious, because he seems like a guy who tends to get a little carried away. (In my wedding planner days, I cared more about timing than content of speeches. I would visualize every phase in chronological order from everyone's perspective in preparation for the day, but my focus was never control. I believe celebrations should be allowed to progress organically.)

m a i d o f h o n o r

Pippa's bias-cut column dress by Sarah Burton was a lovely surprise. If there is a time when it is appropriate for someone other than the bride to wear white uninterrupted, it is when the bride approves a white dress for her maid-of-honor. Although Pippa's dress complemented Kate's gown with vintage-style buttons along the length of the back and coordinating lace trim, its simplicity and beautiful silhouette was refreshingly modern. She accessorized with lily of the valley in her hair and diamond drop earrings.

She changed into an emerald green Temperley dress for the reception.

g u e s t s

It was refreshing to see so much color in that veritable field of turquoise, green, lapis lazuli, and red. Although there was plenty of fashion eye-candy, no one - Victoria Beckham included - upstaged the bride. (I hate it when ladies dress with that aim.) Truth be told, Kate did have a bit of competition...

Oh, the fascinators! They are sculpture. Truly. If only we would wear such hats in America. (Secretly craving a wild Phillip Treacy creation...)