Harry's Wedding Venue: Where And When

On 19 May 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, United Kingdom. The ceremony was attended by approximately 2 billion people worldwide and was followed by a carriage procession through Windsor. The royal wedding combined British pageantry with modern style, with the bride wearing a dress by British designer Clare Waight Keller and the couple exchanging a set of modern wedding vows.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding venue

St. George's Chapel is a historic venue located within the grounds of Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British Royal Family. The castle has been home to generations of royalty and is known for its grand architecture and rich history.

The chapel itself is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture, with intricate stonework and stained glass windows. The interior was decorated with flowers for the royal wedding, creating a romantic and elegant atmosphere. The organ loft, in particular, featured a stunning display of greenery that complemented the ancient setting.

The choice of venue held special significance for the couple. Not only is Windsor Castle a beloved royal residence, but it also offered a more intimate setting compared to traditional royal wedding locations such as Westminster Abbey or St. Paul's Cathedral. This allowed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to celebrate their special day with their closest family and friends, and members of the public, who were invited to join the festivities on the castle grounds.

The wedding ceremony at St. George's Chapel united not just Prince Harry and Meghan Markle but also brought together two worlds—English nobility and Hollywood royalty—in a beautiful and memorable way.

The wedding's guest list

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a star-studded affair, with a guest list of around 600 people, including many A-list celebrities. The British royals were joined by Prince Harry's brother, Prince William, and his wife, Kate Middleton, as well as their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and grandfather, Prince Philip.

The bride's close friends, including Serena Williams, Priyanka Chopra, Abigail Spencer, and Gabriel Macht, were also in attendance. Meghan's Suits co-stars, including Patrick J. Adams, attended with his wife, Troian Bellisario. Other notable guests included George and Amal Clooney, Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford, David and Victoria Beckham, and Oprah Winfrey.

Two of Prince Harry's ex-girlfriends, Cressida Bonas and Chelsy Davy, were also invited to the wedding.

The couple's ten young bridesmaids and page boys, including Prince George and Princess Charlotte, stole the show.

The couple's wedding looks

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was a highly anticipated event, with an estimated 2 billion people worldwide tuning in to witness the Duke and Duchess of Sussex exchange their vows. The couple's wedding looks did not disappoint, with both the bride and groom exuding elegance and style.

Meghan Markle's Wedding Look

Markle's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller for the fashion house Givenchy. It featured a boat neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a sweeping train. The dress was made of "double-bonded silk cady cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza". The silk veil was an impressive 16 feet long and was embroidered with 55 flowers, representing the 53 countries of the Commonwealth, along with Wintersweet and the California Poppy. The veil was secured by a diamond bandeau tiara, on loan from Queen Elizabeth II. Markle's hair was styled by Serge Normant, who created an elegant updo with face-framing fringe tucked behind her ears. Her makeup, done by Dior makeup artist Daniel Martin, was kept simple and effortless, with a soft brown eyeshadow and minimal makeup on the face. Her nails were painted in a neutral pinky-beige shade. Markle's bouquet, designed by Philippa Craddock, included forget-me-nots, scented sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine, and astrantia, along with sprigs of myrtle from a plant grown from the myrtle used in the Queen's wedding bouquet.

For the evening reception, Markle changed into a halter-neck, open-back dress by Stella McCartney. She accessorised with an emerald-cut aquamarine ring that previously belonged to Princess Diana. Her hairstylist for the evening was George Northwood.

Prince Harry's Wedding Look

Prince Harry and his brother, the Duke of Cambridge, wore the frock coat uniform of the Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons). The uniforms were made by Dege & Skinner, gentleman's tailors and uniform makers from Savile Row, London. Prince Harry wore the rank of major, along with several medals and ribbons. Notably, he received permission from the Queen to keep his beard, which was usually only permitted under exceptional circumstances in the British Army.

For the evening reception, Prince Harry changed into a tuxedo.

The ceremony

The bride's bouquet was a mix of tradition and modernity. It included sprigs of myrtle, a royal bridal bouquet tradition dating back to Queen Victoria, and forget-me-nots, which Prince Harry hand-picked from Kensington Palace's private garden. The bouquet also featured scented sweet peas, astilbe, jasmine, lily of the valley, and astrantia. The flowers were chosen by the groom, who included forget-me-nots to honour his late mother, Princess Diana. The bouquet was tied with a silk ribbon by royal wedding florist Philippa Craddock.

The wedding vows were those published in Common Worship and included the promise "to love and to cherish" each other. This was sealed with the exchange of rings. Meghan did not promise to "obey" Harry, a choice also made by Princess Diana and Kate Middleton.

The wedding cake

The cake was covered in white buttercream and adorned with fresh flowers, incorporating the bright flavours of spring. The multiple tiers sat on different platforms and were "rough iced". The cake was assembled at Windsor Castle on the morning of the wedding and was presented on a striking gold stand.

Ptak used seasonal and organic ingredients in her creation, including 200 lemons from the Amalfi Coast, 500 organic eggs from Suffolk, 20kg of butter, 20kg of flour, 20kg of sugar, and 10 bottles of elderflower cordial from the Queen's Sandringham estate.

The cake designer expressed her excitement about the wedding cake, saying:

> "Knowing that they really share the same values as I do about food provenance, sustainability, seasonality and most importantly flavor, makes this the most exciting event to be a part of."

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