Introducing the Duke and Duchess...

OK, after debating all day about a post-Royal Wedding blog entry, I decided that while I fell royally in love with the wedding (I loved it all!!), I'm not going to sit here and give you a royal minute by minute rundown of the nuptials. Nor am I going to blast you with dozens of photos and factoids (only a select few) :)  Everyone has something to say about this wedding, so I will try to be brief and keep my joyous ramblings to a minimum (but no promises).

If you must have your continual fill of wedding fun (as I must), I recommend People Magazine or the Official Royal Wedding website.

Her Dress:  Very appropriate for the occasion!! Her ivory, McQueen gown with hand embroidered detailing was beyond gorgeous and moreover, fitting for both the occasion and location. In the days leading up to the wedding many fashion "experts" were pining for Miss Middleton to strut down the aisle in a more form fitting (mermaid, trumpet, fit and flare) silhouette...OR they had her in ultra modern/avant garde fashion piece. Now, I agree there is no doubt she has an amazing figure that would look equally amazing in a fitted gown, but the fact of the matter is that she is...

A.) Becoming royalty. There is a certain protocol and there was no way the ever slim Catherine was going to slink it up for the Queen.
B.) Most form fitting gowns are not going to work in Westminster Abbey, she would have become lost. This is also a tip for all brides to consider, always keep your wedding location in mind. Sleeker gowns usually have smaller trains and in such a grand location a bride needs some volume and length to her dress or else the aisle is going to swallow her up.

Initially there were whispers that she had played it "safe" but personally, I am glad she did. The clean lines of the pleating on the dress paired with the veil and unobtrusive accessories created a very simple and elegant look. 

Bridesmaids In White: It isn't a common practice in the bridal world to put your bridal party in white, but I think it looked stunning. While stereotypically the bride is suppose to be the only one in white, the bridal party looked angelic and their dresses only played into the beauty of the Bride's gown. Keeping the styles simple and clean really worked well with the location and overall feel of the wedding.

Flowers + Ceremony: Aside from the austerity of the royal procession and not including the much anticipated receptions, the wedding itself seemed modern and, dare I say almost, simple. She carried a small, wired bouquet of myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, Sweet William, and hyacinth; it did not overpower her, it merely acted as an accessory. :) The flowers and trees brought into the Abbey were plenty but subtle, lush and green. Even the cake, while regal in it's size was not over done; each tier had a different floral theme but the cake was not overly covered in flowers in any sense. The white and ivory cake details remained ornate and discrete.

I'm sure this wedding will start a boatload of wedding trends, but nevertheless it was a beautiful day for the couple. They seemed genuinely excited, adorably nervous and very much in love. Congratulations to the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge!!

(All photos credit of Getty Images)