The Countdown Begins!

The date has been set... and the location!  Friday, April 29th, 2011, in London.  The day that royal watchers and royal wedding fans have been waiting for since 1981.  Personally, I am happy that it is sooner than later, no need to keep the world waiting longer than necessary.  I just hope the English Spring weather is over and done with so Wills and Kate will have a pretty day for their event.

Also, this royal wedding fan is very pleased that they have chosen Westminster Abbey as the venue.  Perfect size for a "non-state-event" royal wedding.  And, it keeps things in London where the media will have easy access, and the world will have a better view of things.  I would imagine that things are chaotic if not at a high excitement level on the grounds of the Abbey this morning (afternoon there).  All the planning that will be needed for this event will surely start immediately.  So much to do, and so little to do it all.  Most weddings these days take around a year to plan and execute, and none of them will have the elaborate details that this wedding will entail.  Music, staff, security, attire, horses, carriages, banners and flags, and FLOWERS!  I am hoping to hear from my dear friend David Longman (legendary London florist, maker of Diana's bouquet) to see if he has any inside information on who the lucky florist will be.  I could speculate all day as to what Kate's bouquet will look like, however, without knowing what the dress will look like, the bouquet would be difficult to plan.  Wondering if there will be a sentimental nod to Princess Diana some how in the style of the bouquet and it's contents... possibly Lady Di roses?  Who knows, only time will tell, and we will find out for sure early in our morning on April 29th, 2011.  Don't forget to set your TiVo's and DVR's.

Royal Wedding Tidbit for the day... in 1947, there was so much curiosity over Princess Elizabeth's wedding gown, that designers tossed bogus designs and patterns in the trash bins in order to distract and confuse the media so eager for a look at the dress.

Congrtualtions to Wills and Kate!

Like this blog posting... the royal engagement has been a long time coming.  I know that several fall weddings, vacation, work, etc. has kept me from my blogs, but what took William so long to pop the question?  All is forgiven now, as we get set to count down the days to the next royal wedding.

Yesterday's announcement had the world and the Internet abuzz.  Excitement on both sides of the pond, this story taking the lead on all the news stations.  Well, it has been almost 30 years since Diana and Charles got married, and the world is truly in need of the spectacle, pomp and pageantry of a British Royal Wedding.

So, we are left without a wedding date, therefore we can only speculate as to when they will actually get married.  Speculation too for where the wedding will take place, what style of dress will Catherine wear... and most importantly, WHAT FLOWERS WILL BE USED IN HER BOUQUET!

I did some reading yesterday, snippets from all the news stories, there was so much information, it was hard to take it all in.  One story suggested that Catherine will eventually, with any good luck, be the most famous Queen Catherine since Catherine of Aragon, first wife of King Henry VIII... with no doubt, as Miss Middleton will have the benefit of the Internet and 24 hour news to get her story out to the world.

About the ring... so many opinions on using Diana's engagement ring.  I can easily see how many would think using this ring is not a good idea.  I have read, morbid, creepy, in bad form, ghoulish even.  I think we really have to consider Williams great love and respect for his mother.  Obviously, he wanted to use her ring as a special symbol and respect for his mother.  Superstition would have some saying that this ring has a negative aura since Diana's marriage ended, shall we say tragically.  However, consider that for even a short while the ring, for Diana was a symbol of love, happiness, and hope for the future.

Both prospective brides wearing blue and the grooms in grey suits... some times the past repeats itself.  But, this blogger is hopeful that the royal family, especially William has learned many things from the past, and Catherine will have a much easier time dealing with things than Diana did.

Royal Wedding Tidbit of the day.... it is speculated that prior to the wedding the Queen will give the happy couple new titles and they will be known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

American Royalty...

Congratulations to the Clinton family, Chelsea is married, yay!  It's been a couple of years since we had a First Daughter wedding... the last being Jenna Bush in 2008.  No matter what you political affiliation, it seems that a Presidential family wedding can cause excitement in the U.S., somewhat like the excitement that is generated for a royal wedding.  Face it, the Presidents and their families are the closest things we Americans have to royalty.  If not for their heritage and royal blood line, then for their ability to make news and stir up controversy and plenty of photo fodder for the Paparazzi.

I fully approve of Chelsea's style choices for her wedding.  The location was stately and secluded, the guest list was studded with famous friends, and her choice of flowers was flawless.  From the pictures I have been able to see of the bride, her bouquet appears to be made of all Gardenias.... Superb Choice!  However, upon closer viewing, I believe the Gardenias are supported by a base of white Hydrangea.  You can tell from the picture above that the rather thick green stems belong to some other flower besides Gardenias.  I really like the choice of all white flowers for the bouquet that is a perfect compliment to her Vera Wang gown.  Also, in perfect royal understatement, the groom's boutonniere is simple with a single white freesia, and low and behold for an American wedding, the groom's boutonniere is an appropriate size.

At this point, we can only look forward to a time when the Obama daughters are of marrying age... sigh.

Presidential Wedding Tid Bit for the day ...  on August 6th, 1966 (great year by the way) Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of then U.S. president Lyndon Johnson, married John Patrick Nugent at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C., the bride carried a small nosegay of Lily of the Valley.

The British just have a way with weddings...

I have said it before, and I'll say it again... the British just have a way with weddings.  Can't exactly put my finger on it, but they just look different, when compared to American weddings.  Possibly, it looks as if they aren't trying too hard to pull it all off.  They are dressed somewhat formal, yet, the atmosphere seems relaxed and and not forced.  Their outfits aren't matched to death, yet every one's attire seems appropriate to the occasion and the surroundings.  A wonderful friend from England has shared these pictures of her daughter's wedding from June.  After viewing all of the pictures, it is very apparent that it was a special occasion where each guest had a wonderful experience.

Again, nothing looks forced or orchestrated, though, I know that much planning and work went into this wedding.  Congratulations to Penny and Ken on their daughter, Sarah's wedding!

here are a few more of their pictures... thanks Penny for allowing them to be part of my blog...

Wow, orchid plants as the table centerpiece... wonder who suggested that?? ;)

Finally... a picture of the lovely bride with her bridesmaids.

Good luck Sarah and Nick, from everyone here on Hilton Head!

Royal Wedding Tidbit of the day... Princess Diana's bouquet contained quite a few varieties of flowers... one was the Gold Medallion rose... for her wedding it was referred to as the Lord Mountbatten rose, in respect for Lord Louie Mountbatten, special friend and confidant of the Royal Family and Prince Charles..

 Lord Mountbatten had been assassinated roughly two years prior to the Prince and Princess's wedding in July of 1981.

It's Sweden's turn to shine...

... and shine it did... the wedding of Crown Princes Victoria and Daniel Westling, uh-hem 'scuze me, now Prince Daniel.  They were just married yesterday, so I have only seen a few pictures and a little coverage on he news channels.  Looks like it was a perfect day, and from the looks of this picture, the Crown Princess could not have been happier.

Her bouquet is certainly a lovely all white cascade of what looks to be Amazon Lilies, clusters of Stephanotis blossoms and some Dembdrobium orchids.  Hopefully, this will signal the return of the cascade bouquet as a popular choice for brides, royal and not so royal.  The groom looks very dignified in his formal wear, and as usual with royal weddings, some medals of recognition and rank are being worn instead of a boutonniere.  Video on the Today Show highighted the reception at the palace for the guest count of about 1,000.  Some of the centeriece were vases filled with lavender Sweet Pea, simple, elegant, understated: the signature of royal wedding floral style.

Just a short mention about the head wear.  Loved the coronet of cameos the royal bride wore...fantastic and so unusual... I wonder if that was her something old?

The British royal family didn't miss the event all together, as Prince Edward and the Countess of Wessex (Sophie) were in attendance.  Other royal guests included kings, queens, and crown princes and princesses from Jordan, Spain, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

Royal Wedding Tidbit of the day... Crown Princess Victoria's wedding party included two future queens!  They were Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands and Princess Ingrid-Alexandra of Norway.

Thanks for checking in... sorry for the absence... this thing with Fergie had me distracted. Terry.

 

A little dissappointing... the York saga continues

Well, it's not news anymore, but the shady dealings of Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York are spread over every news medium on the planet today.  I have to say that I haven't been this disappointed in a member or ex-member of the Royal Family, in quite some time.  In fact, I am quite shocked.  Somehow, I believed that all the really bad press plaguing the family was in the past.  Minor rows and rifts here and there by the grandchildren, yes, but this?  Come on Fergie, shape it up and start living within your means.  What must your daughters think?  Not to mention, Her Majesty the Queen... doesn't she have enough to contend with already?  .... Poor thing.

Trying not to judge here.  I can imagine that when driven into desperate times, some succumb to taking desperate measures.  I do feel for the Duchess and hopes that she finds some sort of happiness in the future.

The picture above is the wedding day of Sarah Ferguson's parents, Ronald and Susan Ferguson... not a good close up of the flowers, but definitely appears to be a wired and taped all-white flower creation, typical for the mid-50's style wedding.  Sarah's parents divorced in 1972.

Royal Wedding tidbit of the day... Sarah, Duchess of York was very much the designer of her own wedding gown... she had the dress makers embroider many symbols and images on the 15 foot train, bumble bees, helicopters, flowers, etc.  Also, she had Prince Andrew's first initial "A" emblazoned in the very center of the train.  Most critics likened the large "A" to the Scarlett Letter.  It wasn't a good omen.

Turquoise - It's this years pink...

Is it really the color of the year? Turquoise, I mean for weddings... well, it's not, then more people should choose this bright and interesting color for their wedding color theme. When first presented with this color by a recent bride, my brain had to go into overdrive to figure out what color flowers to use, as there isn't much to my knowledge that comes in turquoise... or even close. My best strategy proved as success by asking the bride for a favorite color (other than Turquoise). Pink was the answer. I also considered the setting/venue, time of year and time of day of the ceremony. Outdoors was the location for the ceremony, and since we are in a coastal/semi-tropical region, I thought that pink and hot pink/fuscia would be a good match. As you can see form the pic of the centerpiece, things went very well. I stuck with the tropical theme and suggested orchids for the signature flower for the day, with lilies (a favorite of the bride) being the second flower choice. Sensible centerpieces, though containing many elements were fairly easy to combine. However, you have to have a good recipe and patience to get the water the right color. Green and blue (in the right measurements) makes turquoise! A late afternoon ceremony gave way to an early evening reception, still light outdoors, but not so light that many votive and floating candles helped make the setting all the more romantic.

Congratulations Courtney and Steven! married May 15th, 2010.

Royal Wedding tidbit of the day... King George VI, amended the rules a year or two after his daughter Elizabeth married Prince Phillip of Greece. Earlier in the year 1947, Phillip had relinquished his title, nationality, and religion (Greek Orthodox) in order to marry the then Princess Elizabeth. At the time of the wedding Phillip would have been a commoner, and his children would have no right to a royal title. But the King granted Phillip the title Royal Highness, Duke of Edinburgh... subsequently before the birth of Prince Charles in 1948, the King furthered the move declaring that all off-spring of Elizabeth and Phillip would be considered royal.

And here is one more pic from the turquoise and hot pink wedding.