As the world continues to marvel at the news of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s engagement, we can’t help but wonder what royal traditions the couple will feature at their wedding in May next year.
While any royal wedding is a tremendous event, this will be a rare one since it will mesh the actress’ American traditions with British royal family decorum.
Of course, both cultures share plenty of nuptial similarities — there will be cocktails, plenty of food and, of course, cake — there are also a few notables differences. And on top that, there are even more unique details when your wedding gets the true royal treatment!
The finest food
In the U.S., many couples hold a rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, a large wedding feast after the ceremony and a send-off brunch the next day.
Across the pond, they do things a little differently. “In the U.K., drinks and a wedding breakfast is served, followed by an evening buffet,” Kylie Carlson of U.K. Academy of Wedding & Event Planning tells TODAY Food. In 2011, Prince William and Kate Middleton chose a buffet style lunch after their wedding ceremony instead of a lavish sit down meal that had been previously favored at royal weddings.
And while rehearsal dinners are pretty common here, they’re not a big thing in the U.K. — but, says Carlson, for Brits the wedding itself is a multi-tiered event. “It is very traditional in the U.K. to have daytime guests and evening guests, and with that, a variation on menus,” says Carlson. If you’re a close friend or family member, you get invited to the ceremony and wedding breakfast.
Guests are always treated to variety of different foods including canapés (Will and Kate served little bites ranging from wild mushroom and celeriac chausson to smoked haddock fishcake). For the main meal, British etiquette experts say it’s safe to expect that Prince Harry and his bride will consider a set menu for the event reception, in the same vein as Wills and Kate, as well as Sophie and Edward before them.
“We can safely assume accommodations will be made for dietary restrictions but otherwise, a set menu for all is the most practical choice. Expect a protein, such as lamb, as well as perhaps seafood,” says Carlson.
The cocktails
In the U.S., guests are often treated to cocktails immediately following the wedding ceremony and it turns out that Brits share a similar tradition of post “I do” imbibing.
“In the U.K., following the wedding ceremony, a pre-dinner champagne reception is usually held and is circa 90 minutes,” Sophie Hall, Senior Wedding Planner at London’s Quintessentially Weddings, tells TODAY Food. “Prosecco has become equally popular and the etiquette of having to serve champagne for such an occasion isn’t so prevalent any longer, this is entirely down to the couple’s personal preference.”
As for other drinks that may be served next year? Markle is such big fan of bold, red wines,…
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