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Did the Royal Wedding affect UK trends?

Did the Royal Wedding affect UK trends?


Alison Hargreaves Guides for Brides Bio
Alison Hargreaves Updated:
8th of March 2023

Following the long awaited wedding of Prince William to Miss Catherine Middleton on 29th April 2011, Guides for Brides look at the various aspects of their wedding, and how it will effect wedding trends in the UK over the next few years.

It was no great surprise that Kate's dress was from a British designer, but will this influence the choice of other Brides?

The majority of Brides already use British bridal designers, often looking on their bridal gowns as an asset that can be sold after the wedding - gowns by the popular designers such as Caroline Castigliano, Maggie Sottero, Sassi Holford, Jenny Packham, Suzanne Neville and Ian Stuart are always popular in the second hand market.

The Grace Kelly influence - tucked in waist and full, structured skirt is bound to be replicated in bridal boutiques throughout the UK for those brides with the figure to pull it off.

Lace has gained in popularity over the past two years and adds a timeless look to any gown. Expect to see lace sleeves incorporated in many more gowns over the next year - great news for brides aiming for a more modest look, or keen to hide less-than-perfect arms.

One small point, a 2.7 metre train may have been described as "modest" by royal standards, but is still only practical if you have a bridesmaid permanently on hand to carry it.

No surprise to traditionalists. It had to be a fruit wedding cake.

The design managed the almost impossible; 7 tiers to feed a large number of guests, without looking like the centre piece from "My Gypsy Wedding".

Fruit cakes were already making a strong recovery against the 10 year trend for chocolate cakes - this will really push fruit cakes into the spotlight for weddings again. With so many American's fixated with the Royal Wedding it seems fitting that there was a small piece of American wedding tradition incorporated in the Royal Wedding, albeit unintentionally.

A Chocolate and Rich Tea biscuit cake covered in white chocolate and with white chocolate flowers was commissioned especially for Prince William. In America it is common practise to have two cakes, the main traditional "Brides Cake" and a more fun "Grooms Cake" - the latter usually being chocolate.

Grooms Cakes WILL be the next wedding trend in the UK.

As Kate couldn't get married in her local village church she brought a bit of the Berkshire countryside with her to Westminster. Large potted trees lined the aisle of the Abbey and we can see this becoming a popular trend for church weddings - with trees festooned with flowers and ribbons to brighten up dark corners of a country church, or bursting with leaves in a city centre church.

Kate's trees were later planted on Charles's estate, but for those without a country estate, arboretums and garden centres often hire potted trees, bay trees being the most popular example.

Alison Hargreaves Guides for Brides Bio

About the author


Alison Hargreaves

Alison has been advising brides, grooms and bridesmaids for more than 25 years. She has an unrivalled knowledge of the British wedding industry and frequently appears on podcasts and expert panels. She regularly attends international wedding conferences to keep the UK at the forefront of wedding planning trends.

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