We are hours away from Pippa Middleton’s wedding — hours — and we can hardly contain our excitement! We’ve been waiting for Pippa’s big day since she nearly stole the show at big sister Kate’s royal wedding in 2011. And according to Bridebook.co.uk, we have a lot to look forward to with the bride’s estimate $320,000 budget, almost 15 times more than the cost of the average British wedding. From the location to the dress, here’s everything we know about the wedding of the year so far!
The Duchess of Cambridge’s younger sister is engaged to hedge fund manager, James Matthews, who proposed to Pippa last summer in the Lake District area. At the time, the couple had been dating for less than a year, but rumor has it their romance dates further back than that.
Though she’s not technically royalty, Pippa’s ring rivals that of any princesses. The 3.5 carat Asscher cut beauty from London jeweler Robinson Pelham is valued at an estimated $350,000! Set in white gold or platinum, the Asscher cut diamond features clarity of the highest quality and is virtually flawless. Who else can’t wait to see what her wedding ring looks like?!
Although Kate won’t be maid-of-honor (for fear that the Duchess would upstage the bride — sound familiar?), Prince George and Princess Charlotte are expected to make an appearance as what we’re sure to be the most precious ring bearer and flower girl ever.
The couple will become Mr. and Mrs. at St. Mark’s Church in Englefield, Berkshire, where the Middleton family spent Christmas last year. Following the ceremony, guests will venture back to the Middleton’s family home, Bucklebury Manor, where a glass greenhouse has been built to accommodate guests.
British designer Giles Deacon, who formerly worked at Gucci and Bottega Veneta, is rumored to be designing what will arguably be the wedding dress of the year. According to multiple reports from British media, he was spotted visiting Pippa and Carole before Christmas, hands full with garment bags. For his part, the designer refused to comment.
Chances are that by now you’ve heard the “No ring, no bring” policy that the bride and groom are reportedly enforcing. But you’ve probably also heard that Prince Harry’s American girlfriend, actress Meghan Markle, is the exception to this rule (and has reason to be expecting a ring of her own, soon).
According to several reports, Pippa has asked guests to bring two outfits for the big day — one for the ceremony and one for the reception. A little demanding? Sure, but when you’re going to have royalty in attendance, you’ve got to dress to impress.