Just Married
Friday, April 29, 2011 at 9:24 AM 
Congratulations to Catherine Middleton and Prince William! The bride chose a dress by a Mrs. O favorite -- Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
From the official press release:
“The lace applique for the bodice and skirt was handmade by the Royal School of Needlework, with individual flowers hand-cut from lace (in shapes of roses, thistle, daffodils and shamrocks). The dress is made of ivory and white satin gazar with a skirt in the shape of an opening flower. The satin bodice, narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips in a McQueen signature, is based on Victorian corsetry. The back is finished with 58 gazar and organza covered buttons.
The veil, made of ivory silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers, is held in place by a 1936 Cartier tiara, lent to Ms. Middleton by the Queen. (It was bought for her mother by the Duke of York and presented to Queen Elizabeth on her 18th birthday.) Ms. Middleton’s earrings—shaped like oak leaves with a pave set diamond acorn suspended in the center—are by Robinson Pelham. The shoes are also by McQueen.”
"Vogue on Catherine Middleton's Wedding Dress" [Vogue]
Alexander McQueen
Reader Comments (50)
Beautiful; Princess Diana would have been proud!
Lovely, timelessly classic look. Love the bullet bra!
Mrs. T, I'm SO glad you posted this because I'm dying to hear everyone's comments. This is so elegant in its simplicity and those hand-made details sound amazing. Love the understated flowers, too -- looks like only lily of the valley?
Hoping that Jestina will have some eyewitness reports for us.
Is this a website for mrs o or the Royals, as a UK citizen i have nothing against the Royal infact i love the Queen very much and she is doing a fine job.However when i visit your site i hope to see Mrs o who i think is in my age group and look up-to. Kate is a lovely girl and i hope the best for them, she is too young to be compare to Mrs o .
She looked absolutely stunning!!! What a beautiful woman. The gown was perfect. I'm so proud to be 1/2 Brit today!!
The most beautiful bride I've ever seen, apart from me, of course. The dress was stunning in its simplicity. Loved the way the skirt fell. I think it is the kind of dress that Diana would have worn, if she had had a choice......
Flawless. She looked absolutely breathtaking. And this couple is obviously very much in love.
I was a little surprised Pippa chose white, but her gown (also a Burton "McQueen" design) was perfect for her as well. Their brother also looked very handsome. Good genes in that family!
Victoria and David Bechkam also looked smashing!
Breathtakingly beautiful.
Lovely. Looking at this dress and then back at what Mrs. O wore, I can say that Sarah Burton has a marvelous eye for how to construct a waist into hips transition in such a way that it creates a majestic, centered posture. Really brings shows off a woman's core.
Also very happy for McQueen house after all they have been through. Wishing everybody health and happiness.
Stunningly, simply, elegantly beautiful. Regal.
Her sister's white gown was questioned as wedding guests are not to wear white, but she was an attendant - in Europe and the UK, the bride's attendants were traditionally gowned in white - and were usually children.
I am so glad that we were able to view it live or record it and view it sans commercials. We did the latter.
Here are Michelle Obama and Malia and her mother, on the way to Florida and Alabama:
http://www.daylife.com/photo/00uh189acSaKM?__site=daylife&q=michelle+obama
I set aside today just so that I could watch the wedding from start to finish. I thought it was spectacular, every last bit of it. Her dress was simply breathtaking, It reminded me of Grace Kelly's wedding gown. The details that emerged about it later was quite interesting and thoughtful. Sarah Burton did a phenomenal job. I wish that Alexander McQueen would've been around to participate in today's event.
And how handsome was William? He was such a handsome groom. Here in the U.S. no one wears white, except the bride, of course. However, the white dress that Pippa wore was simply stunning. Don't get me started about that handsome Harry! We've had wall-to-wall coverage today and I still cannot get enough.
I tell you, The Brits gave the world beautiful pomp and splendor today!
I wish them well and hope nothing but the best for them!
Diana would be sooooo proud!
Bravo!! I can hear Princess Diana applauding and beaming with joy.
What a beautiful bride. A fabulous breathtaking dress. A simple and exquisite bouquet.
A lovely couple.
I wish them a long and happy marriage.
Bee Gee, I watched live coverage on BBC via Public Television. It was great. No commercials. Lots less nervous chatter. People reporting that knew what they were talking about. Sky had good coverage, too.
The bride's bouquet was reported to contain Lily of the Valley and Sweet William. How sweet is that? The large trees that were placed in the Abbey will be planted in the area.
A truly beautiful bride and very handsome groom; her smile is spectacular. She actually looked as if she was enjoying herself. I hope they have a long, happy marriage.
I knew you would post this! what a lovely day for fashion, weird hats and all!
Don't know what happened to my post but in good faith I'll post this once again! It would have been perfect if the US were represented by Pres. and First Lady Obama~ If I don't see it this time I am over this site for censoring! Thanks!
My Mom's bridal attendants all wore white back in the early 1950s (and actually, Kate's dress was very similar to my Mom's wedding gown). Kate looked almost as pretty today as my Mom does in her wedding photos. (My lovely mother is my personal style icon.)
I love this blog, BTW.
It's a Lovely Gown, and the details are Ravishing but I know people will not be able to appreciate that Diana's wedding gown was actually More beautiful than Kate's. These days, brides always seem to go for the pared down look. It gets boring, after a while. Modern day brides seem afraid of the grand gesture. Diana's gown was not about fear. To me, her gown was a theatrical creation that evoked both Victorian/Elizabethan qualities. Diana also looked so Beautiful on her day, and not too thin, as Kate does. Kate has a gaunt look that makes me fear for her. She is very lovely, and needs to not let incessant criticism of her body make her afraid to attain a more natural weight. I hope her bony look is from nerves and not some attempt to be unnaturally thin. What I admire about Mrs. O is that she, while Quite Beautiful & Statuesque, is not a skinny minny, thank God!
My general feeling about the dress: Meh. It was okay. I didn't like the lace bodice with the fuller skirt and train. It felt really constrained and not at all original. This dress is so forgettable.
Whatsamatta Fatmata?! Y'know, you could have just skipped over it ... or come back on Monday. Geez louise. It's not like you have a paid membership or something.
@fatmata, you are right it's unfair to compare Kate to Michelle Obama. Kate far outshines MO anyday of the week. Did you see what she wore to Florida today? I look better going to the grocery store.
I am not into royals at all. However, Kate's dress is nice.
I agree Fatama, this is a website for Mrs. O. I come here read about her. I have a lot of admiration and respect for Michelle Obama. I have been trying to avoid the Royals all day. I could care less.
Finally, watched the wedding on TiVo, Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress was stunning! I really enjoyed everyones fashions, the outfits,the hats, the shoes, the jewels....fabulous!!!
Simply a beautiful, beautiful wedding dress...second only to my favorite wedding dress of all time...Princess Grace's. I am SO glad that Princess Kate did not choose the designer who made Princess Diana's dress. That dress overwhelmed her so much, and made her look like Little Bo Peep. Thank goodness she grew into a lovely woman with a fabulous sense of style...something Kate already possesses. I look forward to seeing what she will choose to wear in the future.
I LOVED this dress. I was telling a friend of mine yesterday that there was applique around the bottom of the dress and on the train. I finally found proof. There is an interactive link at Time.com. You can click on the different shots on the left side. Then hover your curser over areas of the main picture for close ups. Beautiful dress and jewelry. William is gorgeous too. The soap opera fan in me would like to think that Prince Harry looked back and saw Kate's sister Pippa and thought wow...maybe we should have a double wedding. LOL (just kidding) :)
http://www.time.com/time/interactive/0,31813,2068384,00.html
Yes, my fellow Mrs O bloggers - I WAS THERE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let me start from the beginning .
I left work early on Thursday and decided I would go to Trafalgar Square for a walk before jumping on the tube to go home. By the time, I walked through Covent Gdn, I saw a smuttering of union jack flags and felt a buzz which compelled me to definitely take a peak in Trafalgar Square. By the time I arrived, the atmosphere was fever pitch. What did I have to lose? The Mall & Buckingham Palace was only a short walk away so I decided to ...............wow ! wow ! wow! The atmosphere, the people, the tourists, The Mall decked out in red white and blue, the tv reporters, people propping up their tents and deck chairs for the evening, the pubs and bars overflowing with people. It totally took my breath away. Completely !
I honestly had no intention on braving the crowds for the actual day but by the time I arrived home, I made up my mind that it was too great an experience to miss.
My friends and I set out at 6am yesterday morning. We managed to get a great spot near 10 Downing St. We waited and waited and the time flew as people were so friendly and engaging. Some had actually camped out overnight and many said they had little sleep.
The comfort was knowing that everything was beautifully timed. I saw William & Harry shortly after 10am, they looked gorgeous, a lot of people cried especially the American tourists ( there were lots and lots of American tourists). We all commented that Diana would have been proud. The bride drove by shortly before 11am. Gasp !!! She was born to be Queen. After the wedding had ended and the horses and carriages streamed past, we marvelled at the sheer scale of it and reminded ourselves that no one does pomp and ceremony like the Brits.
We managed to walk from Whitehall to the Mall. I was quite a distance away to fully appreciate the kiss (both of them) but it was an amazing experience to be part of such a great day.
P.S Regarding Pippa wearing white, as I understand, the only persons/people that can get away with wearing white is the bridal party. A lot of brides like to complement their gowns by having their attendants in white with a burst of colour. It's not as though Kate did not know what her sister would be wearing, her sisters white dress would have met approval before the day. What is definitely a no no !! is any woman wearing black. That is a big no no - huge. I hear there was furore over Victoria's dress until it was confirmed that she was wearing midnight blue. Her husband wearing his OBE was also a no no especially since he wore it on the right side instead of the left. I'm surprised that no one actually told him that he shouldn't have worn it. The Prime Minister's wife was rather cheeky in not wearing a hat, especially when the invitations advised all ladies to wear hats or fascinators. I've never been particularly fond of her anyway. I did think that the Queen looked splendid.
Nice dress. And best wishes to monarchy and permanent, elite ruling class of England.
...Now, can we get back to our First Lady, Michelle Obama, please? The masthead of this great Web site does still read: "Mrs. O Following the Fashion of Mrs. O: What and Whom She's Wearing."
Roses for England, thistles for Scotland, daffodils for Wales and shamrocks for Ireland - the embroidery on the dress was designed to reflect all parts of the British Isles.
It is quite common for Europeans, including the English, to have female members of the bridal party wear white (unlike in America.) European brides usually have only one adult attendant each, and a brightly colored bridesmaid dress would focus the eye on that dress, rather than on the bride.
@ Jestina - loved to hear from someone who was actually there! I was up at 3 to watch it all on BBC America. Everything was beautiful and the world wishes the beautiful couple a long and happy life. Just had to say something about your comment on the Prime Minister's wife. If you look very closely, she had several floral pins on a ribbon/bow just above her right ear. I thought it might qualify as some type of fascinator. In any event, when I saw Mrs. Cameron's necklace and head piece, I was immediately reminded of Mrs. O's love of floral brooches and Tom Binns' necklaces and thought Mrs. O may have been the inspiration for Mrs. C's accessories.
Thank you so much for the firsthand reporting, Jestina! I am happy you got to be there.
And thanks Mrs. T, I was hoping you would post photos.
Norma, Kate looks to be a very healthy young woman. You might remember that Diana's dress had to be taken in before the wedding because the poor thing lost so much weight from nerves.
Thank you for your report, Jestina. How exciting to have been in London for all the festivities!
I LOVE Kate's dress -- but I LOVE lace!
I hope and pray that William and Kate will have a long, happy and blessed life together.
The rude attitude of posters who are Mrs. T's guests here, whining about her choice of post subject and photos, is stunning.
This is Mrs. T's blog. Everyone else is a guest. Would you go to someone's home as an invited guest and complain publicly about the food and decor? Well, maybe some of you would. I am appalled.
I've been drawn to the whole wedding bit bc of the fashion and all-MIddelton's dresses were spectacular and an absolute hit.
Yet we need to stop this silly swooning about the monarchy.
They are, I believe, an important symbol for national cohesion in Britain. However, their wealth and lavish lifestyle needs to be scaled. down It's decadent-immoral frankly- for these people to prance about in such privilege and wealth especially when one considers their lifestyle and treasures are supported by taxpayers and-more critically- acquired by the British Empire's plunder of of Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas. So take the British monarchy's activities-including their many charities-with a (big) grain of salt.
Let's not forget that. Long live the people. Long live checks and balances.
Sorry ,I thought the lace was french and made in France ? Could you check ?
@Sildi:
My sentiments as well. But out of deep respect for Princess Diana(the People's Princess) I chose to keep them to myself. My prayer is that Diana's sons and new daughter-in-law will set the record straight and expose, uncover a lot of the unjustice and secreacy that most monarchy are built upon. I was not drawn to this wedding as I was to Princess D because it sadden me to think that on the most important day of a young bride's life, to know that you went through all the pomp and circumstance and you were not loved. I pray that this young couple have the love for each other that they will need to stand whatever comes in their lives. His mum showered him with a lot of love and it shows. The dress was nice.
Jestina - I want to hang out with you whenever my husband takes me back to his homeland for a visit! And you are so right a about Samantha Cameron. My hubby literally gasped when her saw her sans hat - and he isn't exactly a raving royalist! Great to hear about your experience, and cheers!
Kate's dress could not have been more perfect.
Thank you to Ann_T for posting the Time Interactive site — it is fantastic how you can see the details so close-up.
Here it is once again:
http://www.time.com/time/interactive/0,31813,2068384,00.html
@BeeGee:
A blog which is open to public commentary and corporate advertising, despite its ownership, is NOT equivalent to being an "invited guest in someone's home." Far from it. This blog's comment-ers, as warm or ebullient or keen as they sometimes may be, are NOT Mrs. T.'s "dinner party guests" (some of us wish), and etiquette for such an occasion does NOT, even remotely, apply to our points-of-view or opinions here. A blog of this sort and magnitude, even if it is a "labor of love," is also a business.
@4Perfection!
Seems as though you are an impatient individual much like the fringe elements of both the left and right political parties.
This blog belongs to Mrs t and as far as I can remember with ownership comes the privilege to limit members and what is posted.
Second point. I am a strong supporter of the president but I am delighted that he was not invited and did not attend.
FYI: Seldom if ever are US Presidents INVITED to British Royal weddings. Those few that were did not attend. THUS NO AMERICAN PRESIDENT HAS EVER ATTENDED A BRITISH ROYAL WEDDING. ( Nancy Reagan is the only first lady to have attended a royal wedding, three in fact)
http://factcheck.org/2011/01/obamas-not-invited-to-royal-wedding/
In conclusion the president will receive his own party plus a sleep over at Buckingham Palace in an official state visit this month. Every one knows that the queen only host TWO state dinners each ear and that the British are tops with pomp and circumstances.
I doubt that missing the wedding is a big deal with our president because the consultation prize is much sweeter.
Hi folks,
I always read this blog; yet the comments here propels me to put my thoughts in writing. Because Mrs. T puts out a tasteful and classy blog each day, she attracts mostly like-minded responders. Today takes the cake that includes some serious mean-spiritedness and lack of appreciation for historical reference.
1) The royal wedding is a rare event, this onc occuring over 30 years since the last.
2) This was a worldwide event that was a benchmark of WORLD history. You may remember that some of us studied this in high school...and beyond.
3) The wedding dress was a tertiary matter but worthy of fashion note, Besides, there was relation to FLOTUS with the sharing of a designer.
Kudos to Mrs. T for reminding us that as we are not simply American ostriches and can once in 30 years or so, appreciate/honor a signicant historical event. Look at it this way, if a former pope were female and fashion icon were beatified this weekend (how often do we create saints?), I would hope to see it mentioned here!
This may not be a membership organization, but it merits good taste, etiquette and a civil atmosphere. Thanks. You go, Mrs. T
I don't see what the big deal about one entry focusing on the royal wedding. It was an event of major fashion import, namely who would design the bridal gown. Her gown was very beautiful and thirty years from now nobody will say that her gown overwhelmed her or was too much.
Count me in with the group that woke up early on Friday to watch this. The bride looked beautiful, the groom looked very handsome, and together they looked very happy. Hopefully, they will have a long and happy life together like POTUS and Mrs. O.
Hey guys, on a side note, it has been confirmed by Lanvin that Samantha Cameron wore their headband. It's small and blends in with her hair on the side, above her ear. It was easily missed and apparently smaller than a fascinator. Oh well, there it is on that one. If this thread does not interest you, I understand and respect that. Please do the same for those of us that find this fun.
Thanks!
@Claire Moynier, you may be interested in this: http://www.officialroyalwedding2011.org/blog/2011/April/29/The-Wedding-Dress--Bridesmaids--Dresses-and-Pages--Uniforms, which says that both English and French lace were used.
Jestina, thanks for your report! What a memorable occasion!
She looked pretty but the dressed did not wow me. And although it was inspired by Grace Kelly's dress, it lacked the structural and individuality of Princess Grace's dress (the draping, the delicate lace, the sash). I also did not like Kate's veil; it seemed too hevay and weighed her down a bit (although she may have ben going for the Renassance look of which I hear she is a fan).
I love the idea of a morning wedding with ladies wearing hats and pretty spring dresses, and then then to have a luncheaon, and have a reception at night. This way you get to celebrate the whole day and have a real reason to wear 2 gowns :-)
And although I would have loved to see Mrs. O there; they likely invited "crowned" heads of states primarily; also now we know that POTUS and FLOTUS likely could not have attended because of all the foreign policy events occurring last week. Plus, all the scurity details may have distracted from Kate and Will and overshadowed their big day. They wanted it relaxed and simple (well relatively) and that is what they got.
And yeah Charlene in Detroit, EVERYBODY loves Harry!
And Thumper, What is a "bullet bra"?