The last few months have seen two monumental royal marriages: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and Prince William and Kate Middleton. These nuptials have not only provided the world with a look into the customs of the British monarchy but are also a great source of inspiration for weddings around the world. As wedding planners, we can all learn a thing or two from the regal weddings of these two couples.

At the heart of a royal wedding is pageantry and ceremony. While the pageantry is certainly grand, the ceremony itself is often quite traditional. Prince William and Kate Middleton were married in Westminster Abbey with a very traditional Anglican ceremony, complete with a choir and solemn vows. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had a more modern take on the traditional ceremony by having a beautiful outdoor, morning ceremony at St. George's Chapel, Windsor. Even with the modern touches, their ceremony was still respectful of tradition and included traditional readings, vows and a procession.

The royal weddings also showcased the importance of personalizing the ceremony and reception. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did this to great effect, not only with the choices of venue and ceremony but also by adding meaningful personal touches. The bride’s bouquet, for example, was made up of Forget-Me-Nots, chosen to honor the memory of Prince Harry’s mother, Princess Diana. They also included an American gospel choir as part of their ceremony, a nod to the bride’s heritage.

As wedding planners, there is much to learn from the royal weddings. We can learn the value of tradition, the importance of personalizing the ceremony and reception, and the power of pageantry and ceremony to create a truly unforgettable event. By incorporating these elements, we can help to create a truly special wedding experience for our clients and their guests.

Here are some key takeaways from the royal weddings:

• The importance of tradition
• The importance of personalizing the ceremony and reception
• The power of pageantry and ceremony