As if two royal bashes this year weren't enough, here's another to top 2011 off. Saturday in Edinburgh, Zara Phillips, married British rugby captain Mike Tindall. The once upon a time rebel grand daughter of the Queen lived up to her image breaking royal wedding tradition on two fronts: She will not take her husband's name and she opted for an off-the-rack gown by Stewart Parvin rather than concocting that one-of-a-kind gem commissioned by most royals. The gown however looked every bit couture; a body hugging ivory silk faille with organza sleeve/straps. This piece de resistance was topped off with a silk tulle cathedral veil. She wore the Greek ‘Key’ tiara, lent to her by Princess Anne (mom) that once belonged to Princess Alice, her paternal great grand ma. Alice gave the tiara to her daughter-in-law, then Princess Elizabeth, as a wedding gift back in 1947. The Queen has never worn it in public and zoning in on it's detail you can see why. Elizabeth went for the more traditional gems. The tiara itself is a cut diamond encircled by a wreath. Given how moderne the look, I'd say its a perfect topping off symbol for Zara's forward spirit . . .
Above are some of the most flattering bridesmaid dresses I've ever seen for both women and kids. MOH Dolly Maude is sporting a Stewart Parvin duchess satin cap sleeved cocktail dress. The rest of the dresses were designed by Sue Palmer; don't they remind you of something Janie Bryant might whip up for the fourth season of Mad Men . . . ?
All in all, for a bride who has broken tradition, Zara somehow managed to look every inch tradtional as well as royal on her wedding day. She added her own personal touches to a highly unique spirit encompassing herself as well as her groom . ..
images courtesy of The Daily Mail
tiara images via The Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor