George Boyle
The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011 was a spectacular event that took place in Westminster Abbey, London. The occasion was marked by a unique and memorable choice of wedding decor, with the happy couple opting for trees and foliage to adorn the venue, creating a magical atmosphere. The aisle was transformed into a green oasis, with six field maples and two hornbeams lining the route to the altar, standing up to 25 feet tall. The trees, which were a nod to the ''Language of Flowers', were later replanted at Prince Charles' Welsh home, Llwynywermod, where they continue to flourish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding date | 29 April 2011 |
| Wedding venue | Westminster Abbey |
| Wedding trees | Six 20-foot field maples and two hornbeams |
| Flowers | Lilies of the valley, English roses, Scottish thistles, Welsh daffodils, Irish shamrocks, and acorns |
| Wedding cake | Multi-tiered traditional fruitcake |
| Wedding cake designer | Fiona Cairns |
| Music | "I Was Glad" by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, "March from The Birds" by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, "Fantasia on Greensleeves" by Ralph Vaughan Williams |
| Wedding dress designer | Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen |
| Reception dress designer | Alexander McQueen |
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What You'll Learn
- The wedding decor included an avenue of 20-foot-tall trees, including six field maples and two hornbeams
- The trees were later planted at Prince Charles' Welsh home, Llwynywermod
- The wedding cake was an eight-tier fruit cake decorated with Lambeth-piped sugar paste flowers
- The wedding dress was an ivory and white satin gazar Alexander McQueen ballgown designed by Sarah Burton
- The wedding was held at Westminster Abbey, London, on 29 April 2011
The wedding decor included an avenue of 20-foot-tall trees, including six field maples and two hornbeams
The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton was a grand affair, with the couple opting for unique and sustainable wedding decor. Instead of the usual floral arrangements, Kate and William chose to fill Westminster Abbey with trees, transforming the aisle into a green oasis. The wedding decor included an avenue of 20-foot-tall trees, comprising six field maples and two hornbeams.
The trees were carefully selected by Kate Middleton, the artistic director of flowers, Shane Connolly, and the official florist, also Shane Connolly. The field maples, a native English tree species, symbolised reserve and humility. Meanwhile, the hornbeams represented resilience in the language of flowers, conveying a message of enduring love and strength to the couple. The trees were chosen not only for their symbolic meaning but also to echo the abbey's famous medieval vaulting.
The 20-foot-tall trees created a stunning visual impact as Kate Middleton floated up the aisle in her white gown, veil, and tiara. The greenery extended beyond the trees, with four tons of foliage adorning Westminster Abbey. The abundance of foliage, including blooms in cream and white, such as azaleas, rhododendrons, euphorbias, wisteria, and lilac, contributed to the enchanting atmosphere.
After the wedding, the trees were replanted at Prince Charles' Welsh home, Llwynywermod. This decision aligned with the wedding's sustainable ethos, ensuring that the decorations were not only beautiful but also environmentally conscious. The trees were planted two months after the wedding, in April 2011, and they continue to thrive in the rich Welsh soil.
The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton was not only a spectacular event but also a thoughtful and sustainable one. The avenue of 20-foot-tall trees, including six field maples and two hornbeams, created a memorable and unique setting for the royal couple's special day.
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The trees were later planted at Prince Charles' Welsh home, Llwynywermod
The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton was a spectacular affair, with Westminster Abbey adorned with four tons of foliage, including six 20-foot field maples and two hornbeams. The trees were chosen by Kate to line the aisle instead of traditional flower arrangements, reflecting her desire for sustainably sourced decorations.
After the wedding, the trees were transported to Prince Charles' Welsh home, Llwynywermod, where they were planted and continue to flourish. The Llwynywermod estate, located in Carmarthenshire, boasts 192 acres of countryside and beautiful gardens. Prince Charles, an avid gardener, bought the property for £1.2 million in 2007. It includes three cottages, a Grade II-listed barn, and a main house.
The trees were planted at the front of the estate's painstakingly renovated farmhouse, creating a stunning visual display. The maples, native to Britain, can live for up to 200 years and reach heights of 50 feet. By 2022, these trees had already grown significantly, towering over the elegant gardens.
The replanting of the trees at Llwynywermod was done with the approval of Prince William and Kate, and it served as a permanent reminder of their special day. The choice of trees for their wedding was not only aesthetically pleasing but also held symbolic meaning. According to the language of flowers, the field maples represented reserve and humility, while the hornbeams signified resilience, together expressing a wish for a strong and enduring love.
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The wedding cake was an eight-tier fruit cake decorated with Lambeth-piped sugar paste flowers
The wedding cake of Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, was an eight-tier fruit cake decorated with Lambeth-piped sugar paste flowers. The cake was designed by British cake designer Fiona Cairns. Each tier of the cake was adorned with a different floral theme, featuring the English rose, Scottish thistle, Welsh daffodil, and Irish shamrock. The cake also included Sweet William, lilies of the valley, and acorns, reflecting the architectural details of the Picture Gallery where the cake was displayed.
The eight-tier cake stood as a grand centrepiece, with each tier carefully crafted and decorated. Lambeth piping, a technique that creates intricate patterns and designs using sugar paste, added a delicate and elegant touch to the fruit cake. The sugar paste flowers were meticulously crafted to resemble fresh blooms, bringing a touch of nature's beauty to the dessert.
The choice of an eight-tier cake emphasised the grandeur and significance of the royal wedding. Each tier not only showcased a unique floral theme but also symbolised the couple's unity and the coming together of their families and cultures. The English rose, Scottish thistle, Welsh daffodil, and Irish shamrock represented the four nations of the United Kingdom, honouring their heritage and traditions.
The inclusion of Sweet William flowers in the cake's decoration held a special meaning, as it is a flower that symbolises gallantry and honour. It also added a personal touch, as it is a flower that is part of the groom's name. Lilies of the valley, known for their delicate beauty and sweet fragrance, represented a return to happiness and the arrival of spring, symbolising new beginnings.
The acorns, featured alongside the flowers, held a unique significance as well. Acorns are often seen as a symbol of strength, growth, and longevity, making them a fitting choice for a wedding celebration that marks the beginning of a new chapter in the couple's lives together. The intricate Lambeth piping and floral decorations transformed the fruit cake into a true work of edible art, delighting the eyes and palates of the royal couple and their esteemed guests.
The wedding cake, with its eight tiers and exquisite decorations, served as a delicious focal point for the celebration. It embodied the attention to detail, elegance, and cultural significance that characterised the royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. The couple's choice of cake designer, Fiona Cairns, further emphasised their support for British talent and craftsmanship, leaving a lasting impression on all those who witnessed and partook in this memorable occasion.
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The wedding dress was an ivory and white satin gazar Alexander McQueen ballgown designed by Sarah Burton
The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton was a grand affair, with 1900 guests in attendance, including foreign royalty and heads of state. The happy couple exchanged their vows in Westminster Abbey, which was adorned with four tons of foliage, including six 20-foot field maple trees and two hornbeam trees. The trees, which were up to 25 feet tall, were chosen by Kate to line the aisle instead of traditional flower arrangements, in keeping with her desire for sustainably sourced decorations. The maple trees, native to Britain, symbolise humility and reserve, while hornbeams represent resilience.
The bride's gown was kept a closely guarded secret in the lead-up to the wedding, with only a select few privy to the design. Sarah Burton, the creative director of Alexander McQueen, was chosen for her exceptional talent and vision. The dress was a perfect blend of modern and traditional elements, reflecting the bride's personal style and the grandeur of the occasion.
The ivory and white colour palette of the dress complemented the neutral colour scheme of the wedding décor, which featured a mix of white, cream, and green foliage. The maple trees, with their lush green leaves, created a beautiful backdrop for the ceremony, transforming the abbey into a fairytale forest. The natural beauty of the trees added to the romance and elegance of the wedding, creating a memorable setting for the royal nuptials.
The dress has since become an iconic symbol of modern bridal fashion, inspiring brides around the world with its elegant silhouette and sophisticated details. The choice of a British designer also highlighted the rich talent and creativity within the UK fashion industry, showcasing the ability to combine tradition and innovation.
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The wedding was held at Westminster Abbey, London, on 29 April 2011
The wedding of Prince William, the second in line to the British throne, and Catherine Middleton was held at Westminster Abbey, London, on 29 April 2011. The marriage was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was attended by 1900 guests, including foreign royalty and heads of state. The wedding was a spectacular affair, with thousands of well-wishers from around the world flocking to London to witness the pageantry of the occasion.
The wedding ceremony transformed Westminster Abbey into a lush, green oasis. Instead of traditional floral arrangements, Kate and William opted to line the aisle with trees, bringing the flavour of a rural wedding to the imposing London setting. Six 20-foot field maples and two hornbeams were wheeled into the abbey to flank the bride's procession route, creating a stunning "'avenue of trees'" up to 25 feet tall. The trees, adorned with white and cream blooms, were chosen to symbolise reserve, humility, and resilience in the language of flowers.
The artistic director of flowers, Shane Connolly, worked closely with Kate to bring her chosen theme of the "Language of Flowers" to life. The trees were selected to echo the abbey's famous medieval vault, reflecting the "'medieval ethos' of the venue. The foliage, including azaleas, rhododendrons, euphorbias, wisteria, and lilac, was sustainably sourced from the royal estates of Sandringham and Windsor, in keeping with the wedding's seasonal and British floral theme.
After the wedding, the trees were transported to Prince Charles' Welsh home, Llwynywermod, where they were planted and continue to flourish. The maple trees, native to Britain, can live for up to 200 years and reach heights of 50 feet. The wedding decorations, including the trees, remained in Westminster Abbey until 6 May, allowing visitors to enjoy the fairytale-like setting before the trees were replanted.
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Frequently asked questions
Kate and William used six 20-foot field maples and two hornbeams to decorate the aisle at Westminster Abbey.
Kate chose to decorate the aisle with trees instead of traditional flower arrangements, in keeping with her desire to have sustainably sourced decorations. The trees were chosen to reflect the ‘medieval ethos’ of the Abbey.
After the wedding, the trees were transported to Prince Charles' Welsh cottage of Llwynywermod, where they were planted and continue to flourish.
Kate and William had four tons of foliage transported to Westminster Abbey to transform it into a 'fairytale forest'. The rest of the flowers were all blooms of cream and white, including azaleas, rhododendrons, euphorbias, wisteria, and lilac.
