Event Pros Want To Know: Royal Wedding Predictions!

With the Royal Wedding quickly approaching, everyone is a buzz about the details, especially us event professionals! We spoke with Meghan Ely of OFD Consulting, (a true “Royal Wedding enthusiast”) to get her take on what we can expect to see at this very special wedding!

If you’re as Royal Wedding crazed as I am, the months leading up to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s big day have caused you equal amounts of excitement and impatience. We’ve seen an influx of headlines, from their cake flavor to their floral arrangements, but the details that remain top-secret are anyone’s guess. 

The event professional side of me loves pulling inspirational cues from them, and it’s a fun time to use the well-seasoned knowledge we have to predict their next move. Dissecting such a large-scaled event is great for generating discussion in our industry while breathing new life into some tried and true trends.

So what will we see when Harry weds Meghan?

Arrangements

While the two have announced a few of their choices – white garden roses, foxgloves, and peonies – how they’ll be incorporated is still a mystery. 

Joan Wyndrum of Blooms by the Box pictures the bride’s favorite flower and lots of it. “Before Meghan Markle deleted her Instagram account, it was full of beautiful peonies, so it’s safe to assume that her wedding will be filled with them,” says Wyndrum. “As she and Harry are taking a more modern approach to their nuptials, we might see more color like bright pinks in their arrangements.”

It’s no secret that Meghan has put some thought into how she’ll honor late Princess Diana, and we’re betting that she’ll follow in the footsteps of a few Royal traditions to show respect for the family. “Meghan will most definitely carry on the tradition of having her bouquet placed at the tomb of the unknown soldier like Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana, and Duchess Kate did before her,” explains Wyndrum.

Décor

There’s been talk that the couple is going to take a page from Will and Kate regarding their décor, bringing the spotlight to foliage and doubling their arrangements as fixtures. It’s safe to say that we’re going to see extravagance on a whole other level.

That isn’t to say that Prince Harry and Meghan won’t maintain some classic Royal vibes. “I envision the reception décor being very timeless yet encompassing an understated elegance with neutral-toned linens, crystal, and greenery,” shares Brittny Drye, owner of Love Inc. 

With their cultures colliding in a huge way, it’ll be interesting for us to see how they remain true to their roots – both individually and as a couple.

“There will be décor elements that are a nod to the combining of Harry and Meghan’s very different cultures and cultural backgrounds,” Paulette Alkire of Chalet View Lodge says, “Maybe a mix of modern and classic calligraphy on ceremony and reception stationery like we saw on their invitation.”

Honeymooning, Menu, and More

Prince Harry and Meghan are weaving in some non-traditional wedding moves, and we’re almost certain the duo will have a few tricks up their sleeve. 

When it comes to their menu choices, we’re all on board for the possibility of some American food favorites. “With Meghan being a self-proclaimed foodie, I think the couple will go a bit more nontraditional with the menu, serving American comfort food appetizers (such as sliders) and a three-course sit-down with British favorites reinvented,” Drye continues.

As for the picture perfect pose on the balcony that we’ve seen in the past, unfortunately that’s one thing that will definitely be missing from their big day. Keith Phillips from Classic Photographers chimes in, “We know that we won’t get the iconic photo of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle kissing on the balcony since Windsor Castle does not have one,” Phillips tell us. “But we have a feeling they will still have a grand introduction perhaps when they are leaving St. George’s chapel after the ceremony.”

Honeymoon rumors have also surfaced, pointing out that polo in Barbados may be on Prince Harry’s must-have list. Megan Velez of Destination Weddings Travel Groupis confident that their trip won’t be a casual one. “Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are lovers of travel! After just two dates the couple jetted off to Botswana to spend five days in the middle of nowhere with a tent as their accommodations. So we know wherever they decide to honeymoon they will surely have adventurous activities.” We can only imagine that the newlyweds will receive nothing but the best Royal treatment.

If there’s anything we can say for sure, it’s that we’re expecting the Royal Wedding to cause some chaos in the wedding world (in the best way)! Take notes, have your Pinterest boards ready, and get ready for an influx of couples starry-eyed for lemon elderflower cake and peonies galore.

Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding PR and wedding marketing firm OFD Consulting. Ely is a sought-after speaker, adjunct professor in the field of public relations, and a self-professed royal wedding enthusiast.