Over the past week we’ve been looking at Royal Flowers, all the way back to Queen Victoria’s wedding day, but after so much waiting and guessing the big day finally arrived. It was a beautiful day, filled with moments of love, laughter and joy. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle looked utterly in love as the nation watched them wed. It was a smaller affair than normal but that suited the couple perfectly and due to the location of the chapel, the couple and the Royal family received a lot more privacy. There was so much to look at, but our eyes of course were fixated on the flowers!
At St George’s Chapel a series of grand archways led you into the church and lined a further three arches inside. These really were mesmerising. The archways were made up of Meghan’s favourite flower, peonies, as well as roses, foxgloves, beech, birch and horn-beam. They created a snowy-white magical feel, fit for Royalty. In addition, peonies were found on the cake, an elder-flower flavoured work of art.
On to the bouquet. Now after all the talk and speculation, what was revealed was a much more subtle and simple bouquet, a small posy, with no obvious focal flower and no peonies! Instead scented sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine, astrantia, and sprigs of myrtle all bound with a naturally dyed, raw silk ribbon made up her bouquet. As an added touch of love, Harry hand-picked a few flowers from the gardens at Kensington Palace and gave them to Phillipa Craddock to place them into her bouquet. Now how many brides are wishing their husband- to-be will be as romantic!
Although not quite as different and bold we thought it might be, her gentle choice complimented her dress beautifully and symbolised Meghan to be a simplistic woman. An even more simple and nontraditional wedding choice, her bridesmaids carried the same bouquet as Meghan herself.
After all the excitement, we have recreated Meghan’s bouquet with our silk flowers. If you are inspired and want to create your own then you can shop here.
Bouquet Recipe;