While the Duchess of Sussex and Princess Eugenie both married in the same venue in 2018, their weddings couldn’t have been more different. Each royal bride added her own personality and special touches to their big day, and they’re sure to spark a number of new wedding trends in the coming months. Here are just a few ways brides may be inspired by Meghan and Eugenie…
Bateau neckline wedding dresses:
Who can forget the elegant and timeless bateau neckline on Meghan’s bespoke Givenchy wedding dress? Although this has long been a favourite among brides, we may well expect to see a revival of the bateau neckline in 2019. Designers including Justin Alexander, Ronald Joyce and Pronovias all have dresses with this neckline, and it’s something we may well see in more future collections, too.
Having two wedding dresses:
If there’s any day you can justify splashing out on not one, but two, stunning gowns, it’s your wedding day. Just like the Duchess of Cambridge before them, both Meghan and Eugenie changed for their evening reception, wearing Stella McCartney and Zac Posen, respectively. Even if your budget doesn’t quite stretch to a designer gown, the choice of stylish high street wedding dresses from the likes of ASOS, H&M and French Connection mean it’s more feasible than ever to have two gowns.
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No veil:
While it is traditional for brides to wear a veil for their wedding ceremony, Princess Eugenie opted to go without to showcase the scar on her back from corrective surgery for scoliosis, which she underwent at the age of 12. Can we expect to see more brides following suit in 2019?
Having your own wedding scent:
Prince Harry and Meghan chose to add an extra-special touch to St George’s Chapel, by using candles and scents from luxury Parisian fragrance house Diptyque to enhance the historic surroundings. This is becoming increasingly popular with brides, and an easy way to make your special day even more memorable. Want to try it for yourself? Champagne and Flamingos will work with you to create your own signature wedding scent, which can be used throughout your venue and even given as wedding favours for a unique memento from your wedding.
Bowl food:
Prince Harry and Meghan served their wedding guests canapés and bowl food, designed so they could stand up and continue to mingle while dining. This is something that could work well at larger wedding parties, or even as an informal way to serve food at your evening wedding reception. Would you be tempted to give this a try?
Bespoke cocktails:
Princess Eugenie’s royal wedding reception was given a personal touch in the form of tequila cocktails created by her husband Jack Brooksbank, who works for tequila brand Casamigos. Newlyweds could follow suit by adding their own bespoke cocktails to the menu at their wedding venues, as a fun way to give a nod to their own tastes and personalities.
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Eco-friendly weddings:
Sustainability was a big consideration for Eugenie and Jack, with the Princess telling Vogue that she wanted her wedding to be "anti-plastic" and eco-friendly. An increasing number of couples are looking for ways to make their wedding more environmentally friendly, with simple switches such as avoiding disposable tableware, choosing seasonal and local flowers and wedding food just three easy ways of helping.
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