Everything to Know About Pippa Middleton's Wedding
Pippa Middleton might not be marrying into royalty, but her wedding just might feel like it. The Duchess of Cambridge's younger sister just tied the knot with her longtime this morning. Here's everything we know about their big day so far.
The Groom
James Matthews is the chief executive of Eden Rock Capital Management Group, which he founded about 10 years ago, according to the International Business Times. The hedge fund manager hails from a hotel-industry family (his parents own the Eden Rock Hotel in St. Barts) and he actually attended the same boarding school as Prince William and Prince Harry.
The Proposal
Matthews popped the question on July 17, 2016. The couple was reportedly on a weekend getaway at England's Lake District when he proposed. News of their engagement broke days later. Middleton's engagement ring is an octagonal halo Asscher-cut diamond reportedly worth more than $260,000, according to People.
The couple first started dating in 2012, but broke up shortly after. They reunited in 2015 and have been together ever since.
The Ring
Middleton was seen wearing her ring while leaving the ceremony, while clutching her bridal bouquet.
See more of Pippa's ring here.
The Wedding Date
Saturday, May 20, 2017.
The Venue
St. Mark's Church Englefield, Berkshire. The church is located near the Middletons' home. The family, and members of the royal family, were seen attending a service there on Christmas Day in 2016.
The interior looks like this:
The Dress
Middleton wore a bespoke lace design by Giles Deacon. The confirmation came this morning, the day of the wedding, after months that it was first rumored that the British designer was making her bridal gown.
He was seen carrying a garment bag while leaving Middleton's London home in February 2017, but Deacon initially denied that he was designing her dress. However, in a new interview, he opened up about the inspiration behind Pippa's gown.
"I wanted that 'how-was-that-done?' factor," he told Business of Fashion. "It's all hand-pieced which is why you don't actually see a seam," he said of the lace design.
See more of the dress here.
The Bachelorette Party
Kate recently joined her sister for a low-key skiing hen do in France last month (while her husband Prince William went on a separate ski trip with his friends and showed off his dance moves).
The Pre-Wedding Prep
Middleton has reportedly kept to a strict diet and exercise regimen in anticipation for her big day. She's signed up for a "bridal membership" at London's Grace Belgravia health club, and sees her personal trainer five times a week for cardio and pilates workouts, according to E! News.
Middleton, an endurance athlete, has also reportedly subscribed to the Sirtfood Diet, which focuses on 20 key foods - including kale, arugula, strawberries and walnuts - that amp up the body's metabolism and fat-burning ability. However, the diet has been labeled as "unhealthy and unsafe" due to its restrictive nature.
The Cost
Bridebook estimates that the Middleton-Matthews nuptials will cost $319,049 (£246,949), which is 15 times the average wedding. The total includes the dress, $12,912 (£10,000); the wedding rings, $25,710 (£19,900); the venue, $84,000 (£65,000); catering, $90,400 (£70,000) and more.
See the full break-down of prices here.
The Guests
About 150 guests are expected to attend, according to The Mirror, although some estimates expect 350 attendees. See all the celebrities at the event here.
Kate Middleton and Prince William were seen at the ceremony this morning. Kate did not stand as a bridesmaid, but nonetheless had an important role at her sister's nuptials. (It's possible she won't play Maid of Honor to avoid outshining her younger sister on her wedding day.) Her children, however, did have big roles for the ceremony. Prince George was a page boy and Princess Charlotte was a bridesmaid.
Meghan Markle is expected to attend with Prince Harry, but she was not seen at the church ceremony. Though it was reported that the actress was invited to the service, it's possible she did not attend due to "royal protocol," which claims members of the royal family cannot upstage proceedings. (Read more about that here.)
It was previously reported that the actress was only invited to the reception due to Pippa's strict "no ring, no bring" policy, which means guests can only bring spouses as a plus one. However, The Telegraph reported earlier this month that she received an invite to the church ceremony as well. The actress even waited for Kate Middleton to finalize her outfit for the wedding before choosing her own, a source close to the actress told E!.
Though Markle gets a free pass, the girlfriend of Middleton's future brother-in-law did not. Vogue Williams, who is dating James' younger brother Spencer Matthews, was reportedly not invited to the nuptials. However, the reality star and model claims she can't attend because she already had plans for the day of the ceremony. Her rep released a statement in April saying Williams "has a prior engagement in her diary on the date of the wedding, but wishes Pippa and James all the best on their special day." She was also seen in Dublin at the day of the ceremony.
The Queen will likely not attend, the Los Angeles Times reports. She also wasn't seen at the church service.
The Dress Code
Guests were reportedly asked to bring two outfits for the Middleton-Matthews nuptials. Though surprising, the trend is actually not uncommon in the UK, where weddings may consist of a cocktail attire-appropriate church ceremony followed by a black tie reception.
The Reception
After the ceremony, the reception will take place at the Middletons' home, where Pippa's parents currently reside, which is just seven miles away from the church, The Telegraph reports. The festivities are expected to take place in the couple's 18-acre garden.
A 40 x 120 foot custom glass greenhouse, with an approximate capacity of 300 people, has already been constructed in the Middletons' backyard. It reportedly cost £100,000 ($128,904) to install.
The Honeymoon
There's no confirmation yet on where the newlyweds will head after this weekend's ceremony, but sources tell E! News that they're planning for the French Alps.
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