Modern Royal Bridal Style

It has been about a year since Kate Middleton made her grand appearance at the royal wedding, and bridal style has been dramatically different ever since. Not since Princess Diana’s wedding have brides been so inspired by a royal wedding gown. I thought it would be fun to put together some ideas about how to create your own royal wedding style, but with a fresh modern twist, not done as an exact copy of what Duchess Catherine wore.

Finding the perfect wedding gown is the most important part of creating your modern royal look. Since Kate Middleton first stepped out of the car at her ceremony, designers have been turning out bridal gowns with lace sleeves at a fast and furious pace. The sheer lace details on her gown were without question the defining feature of Duchess Catherine’s regal gown, and are a must for any bride who wants to take a page from her book. I like this Anne Barge wedding dress because it emulates Kate’s lace sleeves and neckline, yet the jeweled belt gives it its own unique character. The little bit of lace peplum that flares below the belt is a nice nod to the peplum trend that is so hot these days. I also think that this Pronovias gown is quite lovely, particularly the scalloped neckline and unique lace design. Once again, it captures the essence of royal bridal style, but doesn’t look like a knockoff.

Kate Middleton’s bridal tiara and wedding jewelry were almost as lovely as her gown. When creating your own regal wedding look, you will definitely want equally stunning jewelry. You may not have access to the royal vault, but you can get a very elegant glamorous look with cz wedding jewelry. A sparkling pair of cz wedding earrings will create just the look you need. Then you need something special to wear in your hair. You could wear a dainty tiara, certainly, but I also really like the idea of wearing a jeweled wedding comb instead. Imagine how gorgeous it would be to sweep your hair into a low knot and accent it with a sparkling comb. It is a more modern take on royal bridal style.

Every princess needs her glass slipper, of course. The ideal wedding shoes to complement a royal inspired wedding dress are very elegant and luxurious. These silver D’orsay pumps from Manolo Blahnik hit the nail on the head, as far as I’m concerned. They have classic lines and the perfect amount of adornment. They are also very sophisticated and grown up, because a royal bride wouldn’t wear a pair of Converse under her lace gown. If you are not a fan of silver shoes, silk or lace shoes in ivory would be a lovely option as well.

Last but not least, there is the bridal bouquet to consider. Duchess Catherine carried a sweet understated clutch of lilies-of-the-valley, hyacinth, Sweet William (but of course!), and myrtle from the same plant that Queen Victoria planted. However, for the bride wishing to embrace royal style with a modern twist, I would imagine a more dramatic bouquet. A breathtaking cascade of white orchids will make a stunning statement as you walk down the aisle. Nothing says luxury and elegance quite like showy orchids, making this the perfect bouquet for any bride who wants to feel like royalty for a day.