Royal Fashion Minute: Wedding of Zara Phillips and English Rugby Player Mike Tindall

A (Somewhat) Subdued Royal Wedding:

Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall Wed in Edinburgh Scotland

Yesterday afternoon, the nuptials of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall took place at Canongate Kirk in the Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Scotland. Zara happens to be the only daughter of Princess Anne and her first husband Captain Mark Phillips. She's thirteenth in the line of succession--to the British Royal Crown. Her new husband, Mike Tindall is an English Rugby star and world rugby champion. He also looks straight out of "Central Casting" for a Guy Ritchie film--with his broken nose and one-too-many pints of beer body frame!

The Kiss: Mike Tindall and Zara Phillips

There was a bit of a "scandal" early on before the wedding took place in that it was said that Zara and Mike wanted to sell the exclusive rights to the Wedding Photos to Hello Magazine (you know the way all those top US celebs get their wedding on the cover of Us Weekly, OK, People Magazines). Well, the Queen, yes, THAT Queen, put the kibosh on that one, saying A.) How tacky that was and B.) That it was going to be a "private family affair".

But back to the Wedding:

The Invitation, Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall Wedding

Bride with Father: Zara Phillips entering Canongate Kirk with her father , Captain Mark Phillips

The Bride wore an ivory silk taffeta gown from Stewart Parvin, a London-based designer who is a favorite with the British Royals--so much so he even has the "By Appointment to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II" Royal Stamp of "approval". The tiara Zara wore was lent to her by her mother, Princess Anne:

Zara Phillips (Left) and Princess Anne (Right) wearing the "Princess Andrew of Greece's Meander Tiara"

It is the Princess Andrew of Greece's Meander Tiara, which was originally given to then Princess Elizabeth on her wedding by her mother-in-law, Princess Andrew of Greece and Denmark.

Princes Anne recently wore it during the May 2011 State Visit to the US by the British Royals as seen from the photo above.

The Guest List:

Royal Guests included the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Catherine, naturally. As usual, all eyes were on Kate for what she would wear. Well, kids she did some Fashion-Recycling (she's very "Recessionista" like that!).

Catherine wore a muted gold brocade coat which she had actually already worn before--at least TWO TIMES!!!Alas, her fab chapeau was new.

First at the 2006 wedding of Laura Parker Bowles at St. Cyriac's Church in Lacock, Wiltshire...

And then, last year, at the wedding of Mel Nicholson and Oli Baker at St. Andrews (above photo).

Prince Charles and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall: The Prince of Wales and Heir to the Throne, was ever-so-dashing in a silver-grey "Morning Suit" with tails, pocket scarf and a boutonniere (Love his pinky ring! Soooo "old school"!). Camilla wore a mint green silk shantung coat with side pleats and a great head-framing flower fascinator.

Princess Beatrice: Beatrice, did not disappoint in her turquoise-blue ensemble featuring a heavily embroidered skirt and once again, a fun sassy "Plate" hat.

Princess Eugenie and Prince Andrew Duke of York: Eugenie, seen above with her father, also brought the "Fashion Quota" up to this wedding, wearing a chocolate brown pencil skirt with a creme jacket with back detail and yes, a FAB hat! Love the stacked nude-colored pumps on both sisters as well (Beatrice's are in the background).

Princess Anne: Mother of the Bride Princess Anne, wore a Portrait-Collar flower-printed creme and coral red cropped jacket with a matching coral fan-pleated flared dress, gloves and metallic nude pumps. Her iconic up-do bouffant perfectly coiffed of course.

Naturally, I have to take this time to remind everyone of HER fabulous 1973 Wedding and THAT "Lady Macbeth"-sleeved gown she wore--as well as to how handsome her husband, Captain Mark Phillips was.

Finally, HRH Queen Elizabeth II: Queen Elizabeth II attended her granddaughter Zara's wedding, in a dusty rose coat, matching hat and her famous gloves and purse. Looking every inch a Queen.

Happy Honeymoon Zara!!!

Royal Fashion Minute: Wedding of Zara Phillips and English Rugby Player Mike Tindall

A (Somewhat) Subdued Royal Wedding:

Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall Wed in Edinburgh Scotland

Yesterday afternoon, the nuptials of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall took place at Canongate Kirk in the Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Scotland. Zara happens to be the only daughter of Princess Anne and her first husband Captain Mark Phillips. She's thirteenth in the line of succession--to the British Royal Crown. Her new husband, Mike Tindall is an English Rugby star and world rugby champion. He also looks straight out of "Central Casting" for a Guy Ritchie film--with his broken nose and one-too-many pints of beer body frame!

The Kiss: Mike Tindall and Zara Phillips

There was a bit of a "scandal" early on before the wedding took place in that it was said that Zara and Mike wanted to sell the exclusive rights to the Wedding Photos to Hello Magazine (you know the way all those top US celebs get their wedding on the cover of Us Weekly, OK, People Magazines). Well, the Queen, yes, THAT Queen, put the kibosh on that one, saying A.) How tacky that was and B.) That it was going to be a "private family affair".

But back to the Wedding:

The Invitation, Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall Wedding

Bride with Father: Zara Phillips entering Canongate Kirk with her father , Captain Mark Phillips

The Bride wore an ivory silk taffeta gown from Stewart Parvin, a London-based designer who is a favorite with the British Royals--so much so he even has the "By Appointment to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II" Royal Stamp of "approval". The tiara Zara wore was lent to her by her mother, Princess Anne:

Zara Phillips (Left) and Princess Anne (Right) wearing the "Princess Andrew of Greece's Meander Tiara"

It is the Princess Andrew of Greece's Meander Tiara, which was originally given to then Princess Elizabeth on her wedding by her mother-in-law, Princess Andrew of Greece and Denmark.

Princes Anne recently wore it during the May 2011 State Visit to the US by the British Royals as seen from the photo above.

The Guest List:

Royal Guests included the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Catherine, naturally. As usual, all eyes were on Kate for what she would wear. Well, kids she did some Fashion-Recycling (she's very "Recessionista" like that!).

Catherine wore a muted gold brocade coat which she had actually already worn before--at least TWO TIMES!!!Alas, her fab chapeau was new.

First at the 2006 wedding of Laura Parker Bowles at St. Cyriac's Church in Lacock, Wiltshire...

And then, last year, at the wedding of Mel Nicholson and Oli Baker at St. Andrews (above photo).

Prince Charles and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall: The Prince of Wales and Heir to the Throne, was ever-so-dashing in a silver-grey "Morning Suit" with tails, pocket scarf and a boutonniere (Love his pinky ring! Soooo "old school"!). Camilla wore a mint green silk shantung coat with side pleats and a great head-framing flower fascinator.

Princess Beatrice: Beatrice, did not disappoint in her turquoise-blue ensemble featuring a heavily embroidered skirt and once again, a fun sassy "Plate" hat.

Princess Eugenie and Prince Andrew Duke of York: Eugenie, seen above with her father, also brought the "Fashion Quota" up to this wedding, wearing a chocolate brown pencil skirt with a creme jacket with back detail and yes, a FAB hat! Love the stacked nude-colored pumps on both sisters as well (Beatrice's are in the background).

Princess Anne: Mother of the Bride Princess Anne, wore a Portrait-Collar flower-printed creme and coral red cropped jacket with a matching coral fan-pleated flared dress, gloves and metallic nude pumps. Her iconic up-do bouffant perfectly coiffed of course.

Naturally, I have to take this time to remind everyone of HER fabulous 1973 Wedding and THAT "Lady Macbeth"-sleeved gown she wore--as well as to how handsome her husband, Captain Mark Phillips was.

Finally, HRH Queen Elizabeth II: Queen Elizabeth II attended her granddaughter Zara's wedding, in a dusty rose coat, matching hat and her famous gloves and purse. Looking every inch a Queen.

Happy Honeymoon Zara!!!

Royal Fashion Minute: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge Wedding Gown Exhibition at Buckingham Palace!

Bridal Exhibition:

Fit For a Museum: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton Custom Wedding Gown, Buckingham Palace Exhibit

Today, a new Exhibition was unveiled in London---in Buckingham Palace no less. I was just in London several weeks back and both my NIKOLAKI partner, David Paul and I went by Buckingham Palace and saw that they were setting up for this--and we were going to visit the museum--however, it had closed just as we arrived.

White Gloved Train: Caroline de Guitaut, curator of the display, lays out the train of Catherine Duchess of Cambridge's Wedding Gown

Well, good thing, because we wouldn't have seen the now iconic Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Wedding Gown that Catherine Duchess of Cambridge wore to "The Royal Wedding of the Year" back on the 29th of April! Today was the "Unveiling" of the exhibit, and naturally, Catherine as well as her Grandmother-in-Law, Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II, were there to witness it all.

Royal Mother In Law: Queen Elizabeth II and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge

Catherine wore a blush-colored fitted dress with 3/4-length sleeves and matching pumps. No word yet on the designer. The Queen wore a silk flower-printed dress with her FAB pearls. It was overheard that she exclaimed (as she saw the exhibit of the gown on a headless mannequin): "Horrid, isn't it? Horrid and dreadful!" The Queen is known for having a "wicked" sense of humor...Love that!

Detail Shot: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge Wedding Gown by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Buckingham Palace Exhibit

The Exhibition--which opens tomorrow (Saturday), includes the aforementioned wedding gown, which the bride wore when she married Prince William at Westminster Abbey (we passed by there as well!!), as well as the earrings...

The shoes--also from the House of Alexander McQueen, were lace covered pumps (we barely saw them on TV during the wedding ceremony!) and have 3-4 inch high heels. Good to know. By the way, Catherine's waist size "Small", is all the curator would divulge. Yeah, I get that!

The Tiara she wore during the ceremony. This is the Cartier "Halo" Tiara that Queen Elizabeth received from her mother on her 18th Birthday. The Queen Mother had been given this Tiara as a gift from her husband, in 1936, the then-Duke of York.

The Bouquet: There is also an artificial version of her flower bouquet, designed by Shane Connolly and inspired by the favorite flowers of the Royal Family--as well as the Middleton's.

And of course, even a copy of The Wedding Cake is on display, which was a creation from the very posh-and sought after Fiona Cairns, Luxury Baking Queen!

The Exhibition begins TOMORROW, July 23rd. Click HERE for Ticket and Info.

Royal Fashion Minute: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge Wedding Gown Exhibition at Buckingham Palace!

Bridal Exhibition:

Fit For a Museum: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton Custom Wedding Gown, Buckingham Palace Exhibit

Today, a new Exhibition was unveiled in London---in Buckingham Palace no less. I was just in London several weeks back and both my NIKOLAKI partner, David Paul and I went by Buckingham Palace and saw that they were setting up for this--and we were going to visit the museum--however, it had closed just as we arrived.

White Gloved Train: Caroline de Guitaut, curator of the display, lays out the train of Catherine Duchess of Cambridge's Wedding Gown

Well, good thing, because we wouldn't have seen the now iconic Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Wedding Gown that Catherine Duchess of Cambridge wore to "The Royal Wedding of the Year" back on the 29th of April! Today was the "Unveiling" of the exhibit, and naturally, Catherine as well as her Grandmother-in-Law, Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II, were there to witness it all.

Royal Mother In Law: Queen Elizabeth II and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge

Catherine wore a blush-colored fitted dress with 3/4-length sleeves and matching pumps. No word yet on the designer. The Queen wore a silk flower-printed dress with her FAB pearls. It was overheard that she exclaimed (as she saw the exhibit of the gown on a headless mannequin): "Horrid, isn't it? Horrid and dreadful!" The Queen is known for having a "wicked" sense of humor...Love that!

Detail Shot: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge Wedding Gown by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Buckingham Palace Exhibit

The Exhibition--which opens tomorrow (Saturday), includes the aforementioned wedding gown, which the bride wore when she married Prince William at Westminster Abbey (we passed by there as well!!), as well as the earrings...

The shoes--also from the House of Alexander McQueen, were lace covered pumps (we barely saw them on TV during the wedding ceremony!) and have 3-4 inch high heels. Good to know. By the way, Catherine's waist size "Small", is all the curator would divulge. Yeah, I get that!

The Tiara she wore during the ceremony. This is the Cartier "Halo" Tiara that Queen Elizabeth received from her mother on her 18th Birthday. The Queen Mother had been given this Tiara as a gift from her husband, in 1936, the then-Duke of York.

The Bouquet: There is also an artificial version of her flower bouquet, designed by Shane Connolly and inspired by the favorite flowers of the Royal Family--as well as the Middleton's.

And of course, even a copy of The Wedding Cake is on display, which was a creation from the very posh-and sought after Fiona Cairns, Luxury Baking Queen!

The Exhibition begins TOMORROW, July 23rd. Click HERE for Ticket and Info.