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The Royal Wedding was about so much more than just Kate Middleton marrying Prince William and becoming the Duchess of Cambridge — or, for that matter, her princess-perfect Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen wedding dress. It signified a new era in royal-influenced weddings. Way back when Princess Diana married Prince Charles in 1981, her ivory silk taffeta-and-antique-lace gown designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, in addition to her cascading bouquet, caused a major ripple effect in wedding trends. And now, 33 years later, it's clear that the world still looks to the British Royals for ideas on how to plan a sophisticated, regal wedding with a mix of modern and vintage touches.
Though William and Kate tied the three years ago today (happy anniversary, you gorgeous couple, you), we still see some major aspects of their wedding reflected in real weddings every day. What are the biggest royal wedding moments that remain as popular as ever? Let's find out!
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1. The Wedding Dress
You knew this one was coming. Of all of the amazing fashion moments Kate has had since she's been in the public eye, her wedding dress still stands apart from the rest. The Grace Kelly-inspired gown sent dressmakers into a tizzy: The long train, deep V-neck, long sleeves, lace detailing and veil were replicated all over the world. Three years after Kate donned her now-iconic wedding dress, those refined details are still very much in style — we spotted them multiple times at Spring 2015 Bridal Fashion Week!
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2. Wearing Two Wedding Dresses
We can't forget Kate's other wedding dress. After the ceremony and double kiss on the Buckingham Palace balcony, she changed into a second McQueen gown: a white satin strapless evening dress with a circle skirt and diamante detailing around the waist that was topped with a simple white shrug. Kate didn't invent the two-dress concept, but it's become even more popular since she tried her hand at it. Many brides in our real wedding stories slip into something different after their ceremony. And why not? The most beautiful dress might not be great for dancing, so double the fun with a separate reception frock, á la Kate.
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3. White Bridesmaid Dresses
It was once thought that only the bride should wear white, but Pippa Middleton's knockout white cowl-neck bridesmaid dress threw that idea to the wind. No one could deny the appeal of a crisp-looking bridal party, and her simple silhouette ensured that Kate still had most (if not all) of the attention. Since then, we've featured wildly popular slideshows of ivory bridesmaid dresses, and fielded tons of etiquette questions on how to make the idea work. Thanks to the royals, it's always a nice day for a white wedding.
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4. Fascinating Fascinators
Princess Beatrice's controversial beige Philip Treacy fascinator wasn't the only one worn for Wills and Kate's wedding, though it was the most-talked-about. Even Victoria Beckham turned up in a sleek navy blue topper. The headwear seen that day was utterly captivating, and so delightfully British. Whimsical headpieces, like birdcage veils and feathered fascinators soon crossed the pond and became wedding-day staples. We still love the idea of a statement headpiece for a formal, Southern wedding, and so do brides!
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5. Delicate White Bouquets
Kate's held many a bouquet since her wedding day, but none have made as much of a statement as her white myrtle, lily-of-the-valley and hyacinth wedding bouquet. The delicate blooms, arranged in a shield shape, complemented the lace detailing on her wedding dress. White wedding bouquets, as shown on our June/July cover with Olivia Palermo, remain as well-liked as ever, but in the pared-down, elegant fashion that Kate displayed.
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6. Multiple Flower Girls
As is common in British weddings, Kate had one maid-of-honor, Pippa, and then a bridal party of young, flower-girl aged attendants. Kate Moss also followed this tradition for her wedding. While many U.S. brides struggle to select a mere handful of close friends and family to be bridesmaids, this circumvents that stressful task. Instead of 'maids, take a cue from the chic Brits by appointing several nieces, children, and friends to fill those roles.
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7. Bringing the Outdoors In
They said I do inside the venerated Westminster Abbey, but William and Kate got to experience a bit of the outdoors as they entered the historic venue. Florist Shane Connolly decked it out with eight 20-foot tall maple trees on either side of the main aisle, giving an enchanted forest vibe to the ceremony. With all of the logistical problems that an outdoor wedding ceremony can present, particularly in rainy London, this was an inspired idea. We've seen brides and grooms translate the notion into their receptions as well, using branches and lush greenery as centerpieces to create an indoor-outdoor vibe.
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8. Arriving in a Vintage Car
It's an iconic shot from the royal wedding, and for a good reason. Kate and her father Michael rolled up to Westminster Abbey in the Queen's classic 1977 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, with extra-large windows that made for a perfect wedding dress sneak peek. Whether it's the arrival vehicle or the getaway car, the mode of transportation is always important, especially to grooms. With vintage and retro-inspired weddings becoming more common, so are royal-style vintage wheels.