Pippa Middleton's Wedding: Date And Details Revealed

On 20 May 2017, Pippa Middleton, the younger sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, married James Matthews, a hedge fund manager, at St Mark's Church in Englefield, Berkshire. The wedding was attended by royals and celebrities, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Princess Eugenie, and Roger Federer and his wife, Mirka.

Pippa Middleton's wedding dress

The dress had an A-line shape, providing "incredible movement" according to Deacon, who also noted that the entire gown is hand-pieced, resulting in a seamless appearance. Deacon described his desire for the dress to have a "how-was-that-done?" factor, showcasing the intricate craftsmanship involved in its creation.

Pippa paired the gown with a flowing veil designed by milliner Stephen Jones, made from fine tulle with embroidered pearls. Her Maidenhair Fern tiara and matching hairpiece were handmade by Robinson Pelham. She completed the look with Manolo Blahnik pumps in ivory satin, featuring bespoke pearl detailing.

The bride's sister, Princess Kate, was on hand to assist with the dress and train before Pippa walked down the aisle with their father, Michael Middleton.

The wedding location

The wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews took place on Saturday, May 20, 2017, at St Mark's Church in Englefield, Berkshire. The church is located just seven miles from the Middleton family home in Bucklebury, where the reception was held.

The ceremony began at 11:15 am BST and lasted for approximately 45 minutes. The bride arrived with her father, Michael, in a 1951 Jaguar Mk V car. The couple exchanged vows in front of around 100 royal fans and residents who had gathered outside the church.

The guest list included members of the royal family, such as the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, and Prince Harry, as well as celebrities like Roger Federer and his wife, Mirka. Prince George served as a page boy, while Princess Charlotte was a bridesmaid.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests walked through the park to nearby Englefield House, where a champagne reception was held. The festivities then continued at the Middleton's 18-acre garden, where a large glass marquee had been erected to accommodate the wedding party.

The guest list

The bride's family was well represented, with Pippa's father, Michael, walking her down the aisle, and her mother, Carole, closely involved in the planning. Pippa's brother, James Middleton, and her cousin, Adam, were also in attendance. Other members of the Middleton family, including uncles Richard, Simon, and Nicholas, were expected to be present as well.

Celebrities and notable figures who graced the event included Roger Federer and his wife, Mirka, Princess Eugenie, and TV personality Donna Air. The groom's family was also in attendance, including his parents, David and Jane Groom, and his brother and best man, Spencer Matthews.

The wedding guest list reflected the couple's close circle and included a range of individuals from various backgrounds, coming together to celebrate the special occasion.

The food and drink

Pippa Middleton and James Matthews' wedding menu was nothing short of extravagant. The celebrations took place across two receptions, with the first being a more traditional event in the early afternoon, which included a sit-down meal and speeches, and the second being an evening supper and party.

The Canapés

Guests were treated to an array of luxurious canapés, including scallops, smoked salmon, muntjac carpaccio with a mushroom filling, fresh langoustine served on langoustine claws, asparagus spears with hollandaise sauce, Parmesan cheese wheel, fresh lobster, Serrano ham, and carpaccio. Foie gras, toasts, and sauternes jelly were also served. There were reportedly 20,000 canapés on offer, catered by Blue Strawberry and Table Talk.

The Caviar

One of the most talked-about aspects of the wedding food was the caviar. Guests were served 17 lbs. of beluga caviar worth £40,000, donated by an anonymous Russian source.

The Champagne

To accompany the canapés, guests sipped on Ruinart Blanc de Blanc Champagne, with select guests also enjoying magnums of the same Champagne as they relaxed after the ceremony. Later on, guests enjoyed the 2010 Blanc de Noir Tillington by the Sussex winery Nyetimber.

The Wedding Cake

Pippa and James' wedding cake was a four-tiered fruit cake coated in white icing, created by London-based cake designer Domino Purchas. Following British tradition, the cake was cut during the early afternoon reception, before the dinner party.

The Children's Menu

The younger guests, including Prince George and Princess Charlotte, enjoyed a simpler menu of finger sandwiches and a mixture of raw vegetables.

The Wedding Breakfast

At the second gathering, which took place at the Middleton's Bucklebury home, guests were served a trout starter, a lamb main course, and Scottish pudding. The dinner menu was created by Pippa's former employer, the luxury catering company Table Talk.

The honeymoon

Pippa Middleton and James Matthews embarked on their honeymoon the day after their wedding on 20 May 2017. The newlyweds began their journey with a flight to Los Angeles, followed by a trip to the luxurious eco-resort, The Brando, on Tetiaroa Island in French Polynesia. The resort, which is known for its exclusivity, reportedly cost the couple around £3,000 a night.

Pippa and James then jetted off to New Zealand before landing in Australia. They first visited Sydney, where they stayed at the Park Hyatt hotel, situated in the sought-after Rocks area. The suite, which features panoramic views of the harbour, Opera House, and bridge, costs nearly £11,000 per night. During their time in Sydney, the couple enjoyed outdoor activities such as jogging around the Opera House and scaling the Harbour Bridge.

Pippa's fashion choices on her honeymoon were highly scrutinised and praised. She was spotted wearing a variety of stylish outfits, including a blue and white sundress, a Kate Spade dress, and a Maje shirt dress. Her accessories included a Sensi Studio woven bag, Castaner espadrilles, and an Aspinal bag.

The couple then travelled to Darwin, the capital of Australia's Northern Territory, before going off-grid to enjoy some private time away from the public eye. Their honeymoon is estimated to have cost over £120,000, excluding the cost of food, clothing, and staff. The extravagant trip included flights on private planes, stays at luxurious hotels, and dining at some of the world's best restaurants.

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