Junior Rasmussen
Royal weddings are a grand affair, with a daytime ceremony, luncheon, and an evening reception. The evening reception is a more intimate affair, with a slimmed-down guest list, a sit-down dinner, and dancing. While the press is usually present at royal weddings, their access is restricted. For instance, at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, the press was not allowed inside the chapel, and Harry considered blocking tabloid journalists from attending. The press's presence at the evening reception depends on the couple's preferences and the level of privacy desired. While there may be some press coverage of the reception, it is not common for the media to have unrestricted access to this part of the wedding celebrations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Royal wedding reception guest list | Close friends of the couple |
| Royal wedding reception guest list | Family |
| Daytime reception | Stand-up party for a large number of guests |
| Evening reception | Sit-down dinner with a slimmed-down guest list |
| Daytime reception food | Canapés, smoked salmon blinis, langoustines with lemon mayonnaise, smoked haddock fishcakes, miniature Yorkshire pudding with roast beef, poached asparagus with hollandaise sauce, and pressed duck terrine with fruit chutney |
| Evening reception food | Local specialties like Highland salmon appetizers, Cornish crab, Welsh lamb, and Highland beef |
| Royal wedding reception drinks | Alcoholic drinks like wine, beer, and champagne |
| Royal wedding reception entertainment | Music and dancing |
| Royal wedding reception dress code | Black tie, floor-length evening gowns that cover the shoulders |
| Royal wedding reception etiquette | No overindulgence in food or drink, maintain friendly eye contact, follow rules for handshakes and addressing the Queen |
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What You'll Learn
Press attendance at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on Saturday, 19 May 2018, at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, United Kingdom. The wedding was a highly publicised and televised event, with coverage airing in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji. The ceremony commenced at 12:00 midday BST, marking a break from the royal tradition of holding weddings on weekdays.
The press was present at the wedding, with royal reporters and commentators from the UK covering the event. However, they were not allowed inside the chapel. Prince Harry had considered barring tabloid journalists from attending his wedding as a way to force an apology from News Group Newspapers (NGN) for phone hacking. While there was no resolution to this issue, the UK press was not permitted inside the chapel.
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was notable for its departure from traditional practices associated with the royal family. One such break with tradition was the absence of a maid or matron of honour. Instead, the couple chose to have ten young bridesmaids and page boys, with each selecting five. Prince Harry's nephew and niece, Prince George and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, were among those chosen.
The wedding ceremony was conducted according to the Christian liturgy for Holy Matrimony, with Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, officiating. The bride, Meghan Markle, was an American actress known for her role in the television series "Suits". She wore a dress designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy Haute Couture. Prince Harry's brother, Prince William, served as the best man.
The daytime reception, or "wedding breakfast," was followed by an evening reception at Frogmore House, hosted by Prince Charles for the couple and their 200 closest friends. The guest list for the evening reception was more exclusive, with approximately 200 close friends of the couple in attendance, including George and Amal Clooney, Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, and James Corden. Meghan Markle changed her outfit for the evening reception, wearing a custom halter gown with an open back by Stella McCartney.
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Royal wedding reception dress code
Royal weddings are often a grand affair, with the ceremony taking place in the morning or midday, followed by a luncheon known as the wedding breakfast. The wedding breakfast is usually a stand-up party with a wide selection of canapés and is attended by a large number of guests. The evening reception follows, with a more exclusive guest list limited to intimate friends and family. The reception includes a sit-down dinner with local and seasonal specialties, such as Highland salmon appetizers, Cornish crab, Welsh lamb, and Highland beef.
The dress code for the evening royal wedding reception is typically formal. Men usually wear tuxedos or formal evening dress, sometimes with military uniforms and orders. Women often wear evening gowns, and tiaras are occasionally seen. The colour white is generally avoided by guests, as it is traditionally reserved for the bride. However, there have been instances where guests have worn white with other colours, such as red royal uniform coats, without causing offence.
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, featured a black-tie dress code for the evening reception at Frogmore House. Around 200 guests attended the exclusive event, which included a three-course supper and vintage champagne. The bride, Meghan Markle, wore a white gown, as is traditional for royal brides, who also often include a charm sewn into the lining of their dress for good luck.
The press's involvement in royal weddings can vary. In the case of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, UK royal reporters and commentators covered the event but were not allowed inside the chapel. Prince Harry had considered blocking tabloid journalists from attending due to past issues with phone hacking.
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Royal wedding reception food and drink
Royal wedding receptions are often comprised of multiple parts, including a post-ceremony brunch, an afternoon luncheon, and an evening reception. The daytime reception is usually a stand-up party for a large number of guests, who consume a wide selection of canapés, such as smoked salmon blinis, langoustines with lemon mayonnaise, smoked haddock fishcakes, miniature Yorkshire pudding with roast beef, poached asparagus with hollandaise sauce, and pressed duck terrine with fruit chutney. The evening reception, on the other hand, typically includes a sit-down dinner with more formal fare, such as Highland salmon appetizers, Cornish crab, Welsh lamb, and Highland beef.
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle followed this general structure. The first reception, hosted by the Queen, featured a lighter menu suitable for the warm afternoon weather. Guests snacked on Scottish langoustines wrapped in smoked salmon with citrus crème fraiche, as well as various canapés and bowl foods. The highly anticipated lemon elderflower wedding cake by pastry chef Claire Ptak was served, accompanied by sweet canapés, including champagne and pistachio macaroons, orange crème brûlée tartlets, and miniature rhubarb crumble tartlets. A range of beverages was also offered, including Pol Roger Brut Réserve Non-Vintage Champagne, wines, soft drinks, and an apple and elderflower mocktail.
The evening reception, hosted by Prince Charles at Frogmore House, featured a seated, three-course meal. While the specific menu details are not widely available, it likely included a variety of wines and potentially a full bar, given Meghan's love for bold, red wines. The dinner was prepared by Royal chef Mark Flanagan, who utilised seasonal ingredients sourced from the Queen's estates.
The wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank also followed the traditional format, with a post-ceremony brunch and an evening reception at the Royal Lodge in Windsor. The daytime reception was a stand-up event with canapés, while the evening reception offered a more relaxed party atmosphere with additional food.
While the press and media often cover royal weddings, their access to certain parts of the wedding and reception may vary. For instance, during the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, royal reporters and commentators from the UK covered the event but were not allowed inside the chapel.
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Royal wedding reception entertainment
Royal weddings are steeped in tradition and etiquette, but that doesn't mean they can't be fun! While there is a certain structure that is followed for the wedding breakfast and luncheon, the evening reception is where the couple can let loose and express their personalities.
Press at Royal Weddings
Royal weddings are often highly publicised events, with the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle being broadcast in several countries. However, the press's involvement typically stops at coverage of the ceremony and does not extend to the evening reception. For his wedding, Prince Harry contemplated blocking tabloid journalists from attending, but this idea did not come to fruition. Royal reporters and commentators from the UK covered the event but were not allowed inside the chapel.
Now, onto the fun part—entertainment ideas for a royal wedding reception! Here are some suggestions to wow your guests and make your wedding an unforgettable experience:
- Music and Dancing: A live band or wedding DJ is a classic choice for wedding entertainment. For Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, actor and DJ Idris Elba was in charge of the music.
- Games: Beer pong was one of the games played at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding. Other games like a wheel of fun or a bouncy castle can also be fun additions to a wedding reception.
- Speeches: Traditionally, royal wedding speeches are limited to the best man, the father of the bride, and the groom. However, Meghan Markle broke tradition by giving a speech at her wedding reception, where she thanked her mother and her new father-in-law, Prince Charles.
- Fireworks: A spectacular fireworks display is a perfect way to end the night.
- Magicians: Magic is always a crowd-pleaser, and magicians can wander around performing tricks during the reception drinks.
- Casino Tables: Bring the glitz of Las Vegas to your wedding with casino tables and croupiers.
- Singing Waiters: Surprise your guests with waiters who break out into song!
- Celebrity Guests: A-list celebrities like George and Amal Clooney and Serena Williams attended the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
- Personal Touches: Include your beloved pets in the festivities, like Meghan and Harry, who brought their dog, Guy, to the party.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. The sky's the limit when it comes to royal wedding reception entertainment!
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Royal wedding reception guest list
Royal weddings are typically followed by a luncheon, known as the wedding breakfast, and an evening reception. The wedding breakfast is a stand-up party for a large number of guests, who consume a wide selection of canapés. The evening reception, on the other hand, includes a sit-down dinner with a slimmed-down guest list, dancing, and entertainment.
The guest list for a royal wedding reception usually includes a mix of royalty, celebrities, friends of the couple, and members of the public. For example, the guest list for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding reception included approximately 600 people with a direct relationship to the couple, 200 close friends, and 2,640 members of the public.
Notable guests at royal wedding receptions have included foreign royalty, such as Prince Seeiso of Lesotho and his wife, Princess Mabereng, as well as celebrities like George and Amal Clooney, Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, James Corden, Sir Elton John, Serena Williams, and members of the Spice Girls.
The press is typically allowed to cover royal wedding receptions, but they may not be permitted inside the venue. For example, at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, royal reporters and commentators from the UK covered the event, but they were not allowed inside the chapel.
Overall, the guest list for a royal wedding reception can vary, but it typically includes a mix of royalty, celebrities, friends of the couple, and members of the public, with the press covering the event from outside the venue.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear whether members of the press are allowed at the evening reception of a royal wedding. However, at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, royal reporters and commentators from the UK covered the event but were not allowed inside the chapel.
For men, the dress code is typically black tie, and for women, it is floor-length evening gowns that cover the shoulders.
The food served at an evening royal wedding reception is typically a sit-down dinner, including favourites such as Highland salmon appetizers, Cornish crab, Welsh lamb, and Highland beef. Local and seasonal specialties are often featured.
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