Lyla Dejesus
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding date was Saturday 19 May 2018. The ceremony took place at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, and was attended by 600 guests, with millions more watching on television. The couple had been dating since 2016 and announced their engagement in November 2017.
What You'll Learn
Meghan Markle's wedding dress
Markle chose Waight Keller because she wanted to highlight the success of a leading British talent and because she admired the designer's elegant aesthetic and relaxed demeanour. The two worked closely together on the design, which included only six seams to achieve its pure lines. The dress was also inspired by Markle's affinity for Audrey Hepburn and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, capturing the dream dress she had envisioned.
The bride's veil was a show-stopping 16.5-foot silk tulle creation, embroidered with flowers representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, as well as the California poppy and wintersweet, a flower that grows at Kensington Palace. The veil took 500 hours to create and was held in place by the Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau Tiara, on loan from Queen Elizabeth II.
For her reception, Markle changed into a stunning high-neck, halter-neck dress designed by Stella McCartney. The sleek, modern silhouette was a perfect fit for the new Duchess of Sussex, and she paired it with an aquamarine ring that had belonged to the late Princess Diana.
The Ever-Expanding Global Wedding Industry
You may want to see also
Wedding location
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on Saturday, 19 May 2018, at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in the United Kingdom. The venue was described by a Kensington Palace spokesperson as "a very special place" for the couple.
St George's Chapel is a much more intimate space compared to Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Kate Middleton got married. It has a capacity of 800 people, whereas Westminster Abbey can hold 2,000. The chapel, which dates back to the 1300s, has hosted royal weddings for centuries, including the weddings of Prince Edward, Prince Charles, and Princess Anne's son. It is also the final resting place of several monarchs, including King George VI, the Queen Mother Elizabeth, and King Henry VIII.
The couple chose the location as it is a special place for Prince Harry, and they were "delighted that the beautiful grounds of Windsor Castle" would be where they began their lives together as a married couple.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding": Does the Dad Survive
You may want to see also
Wedding guests
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. The ceremony began at 12 p.m. BST (7 a.m. ET) and was followed by a carriage procession through Windsor at 1 p.m. BST (8 a.m. ET). The wedding was televised and live-streamed around the world.
The guest list included approximately 600 people, most of whom had a "direct relationship" with the couple. Around 200 close friends of the couple were invited to the evening reception at Frogmore House.
Notable guests included:
- George and Amal Clooney
- David and Victoria Beckham
- Idris Elba
- Elton John
- Serena Williams
- Priyanka Chopra
- The Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Duchess Camilla, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
- Prince George and Princess Charlotte
Foreign royal guests included Prince Seeiso of Lesotho and his wife, Princess Mabereng.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2": Now Available On Deman
You may want to see also
Wedding date and time
The wedding date and time of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were Saturday, May 19, 2018, at 12:00 BST. The wedding ceremony was held at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in the United Kingdom. The wedding date broke a couple of royal traditions. Firstly, the wedding was on a Saturday, while previous royal weddings have typically been held on weekdays. Secondly, the wedding date coincided with Britain's historic soccer cup competition, the Emirates FA Final Cup, which Prince William, as the President of the Football Association, usually attends.
The wedding ceremony was conducted according to the Christian liturgy for Holy Matrimony as set out in Common Worship of the Church of England. The Dean of Windsor, David Conner, conducted the service with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, performing the marriage ceremony. The wedding service included a sermon by Michael Curry, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, and prayers by Chaplain to the Queen Rose Hudson-Wilkin and Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London Anba Angaelos.
The wedding ceremony included traditional vows, with Meghan omitting the word "obey" from her vows, as did Princess Diana and Kate Middleton. The ceremony also included several musical performances, such as a rendition of Ben E. King's "Stand by Me" by gospel choir Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir, and a solo by 19-year-old cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason. The ceremony concluded with the royal couple singing the national anthem and sharing their first married kiss on the steps of St. George's Chapel.
Big, Bold, and Beautiful: Planning a Large Casual Wedding
You may want to see also
Wedding rings
For her wedding band, Meghan Markle chose a simple and elegant design. Her ring was crafted from Welsh gold, a tradition among the royal family since 1923, when King George VI married Queen Mother Elizabeth. The gold used for Markle's ring was gifted by Queen Elizabeth II herself, adding a touch of royal heritage to the piece. The ring's delicate and understated design complemented Markle's stunning engagement ring, which featured a large central diamond from Botswana and two smaller diamonds from Princess Diana's personal collection.
Prince Harry's wedding band, on the other hand, broke with royal tradition. His ring was made of platinum with a textured finish, a unique choice that reflected his modern and individual style. While the royal family has a long-standing preference for Welsh gold wedding bands, Harry opted for a different metal, showcasing his willingness to forge his own path.
The wedding rings of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were not only symbols of their love and commitment but also embodied their distinct personalities. Markle's choice of Welsh gold connected her to a long line of royal brides before her, while Harry's platinum band signified his desire to carve out a unique path. Together, their wedding rings represented the beautiful union of two individuals who brought their own distinct identities into their marriage.
The wedding rings played a pivotal role in the ceremony, sealing the couple's vows to "have and to hold" each other for better or worse, in sickness and in health. The exchange of rings was a powerful moment, witnessed by their family, friends, and millions of viewers around the world.
Addressing Wedding Save-the-Dates to Families: A Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry got married on Saturday, May 19, 2018.
They got married at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.
The date was chosen based on the availability of the royal family members. The working royals have their calendars booked about a year in advance.
The couple chose the date from a list of potential dates provided by the palace.
Yes, they had a say in the wedding planning. They chose the menu, cake, seating plan, and table names. They also had a personal guest list.
