Meghan's Royal Wedding Bouquet
The royal weddings of Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton are among the grandest affairs in recent memory, but both brides shared one thing in common: a taste for understated bouquets.
But while small, Meghan's bouquet, by florist Philippa Craddock, was rich in significance. The arrangement comprised of scented sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine, astrantia and several flowers hand-picked by Harry from the couple's private garden at Kensington Palace.
In a touching nod to Harry's late mother, Craddock also included forget-me-nots, Princess Diana's favorite flower. It included sprigs of myrtle too-a tradition for royal brides-from a plant grown from the myrtle used in The Queen’s wedding bouquet of 1947. The bouquet was bound with a raw silk ribbon.
Kate's bouquet was also heavy with significance. Designed by florist Shane Connolly, the bouquet was almost entirely lily of the valley, and also included myrtle as well as sweet William, hyacinth and ivy. Connolly was keen to avoid traditional wedding blooms like lilies and roses, which were out of season in the UK at the time of April 29, 2011.
Craddock was also responsible for the floral design of St George's Chapel, as well as the bridesmaids' flowers, the floral décor at the lunch reception, and the evening's more formal reception. Like Connolly, she stuck to plants and flowers from the UK that are in season and blooming naturally around the time of May 19.
According to People, Craddock enjoyed working with Meghan and Harry, calling it "an absolute pleasure."
"The process has been highly collaborative, free-flowing, creative and fun," she said. "The final designs will represent them as a couple, which I always aim to achieve in my work, with local sourcing, seasonality and sustainability being at the forefront."
Craddock is no stranger to the stresses of royal and high-brow clientele. While self-taught, she has been in business nine years, and counts the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Hampton Court Palace, and designers Alexander McQueen and Christian Dior on her client roster. Her home base is her own flower shop, located as a shop in shop within Selfridge's.
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