7 Royal-Themed Wedding Ideas to Feel Like the King and Queen of Your Big Day
Create Your Own Fairytale with These Enchanted and Regal Ideas
Your big day is a fairytale waiting to be written. And what better way to add a touch of magic than with a royal-themed wedding? From William and Kate, to Harry and Meghan to, well, Cinderella and Prince Charming, royal weddings are unforgettable events.
Just imagine throwing your own ceremony and reception fit for a king and queen, where you feel as if you’re wandering around the grounds of a grand palace. An impossible dream? Not at all—because at Il Tulipano, we’re here to help you turn that dream into a reality. For inspiration, let’s look at seven romantic royal wedding themes for creating an event with a luxurious and regal feel:
1. Dress like royalty
It wouldn’t be a royal-themed wedding without outfits fit for a king and queen. Ideally, you want outfits that give off the vibe that you’re about to kiss on a palace balcony in front of a cheering crowd of thousands (no pressure or anything).
Aim for dresses and suits infused with regal flair, which could include vintage British or European touches. Brides might want to consider a gown with intricate embroidery and a long train. For inspiration, look at the oh-so-elegant gowns of Kate Middleton and Princess Grace of Monaco, or the gorgeous cream puff that was Princess Diana’s wedding dress. For the groom, a dashing gray or black morning suit in the English gentleman style would be ideal. This could also include classic striped trousers, a collar shirt, waistcoat and, for extra panache, a top hat.
Or if you’re looking for more of a fairytale king and queen wedding theme, then why not adopt the airy, ethereal, late 17th styling of Lily James and Richard Madden in Disney’s Cinderella (2015)? Take note of the beautiful floral embroidery on the bride’s gown and the groom’s powder blue coat with gold epaulets. And for the full fairytale effect, don’t forget to add sparkling royal accessories like a tiara.
Or what about a medieval-style royal wedding? Medieval brides wore long dresses with draping sleeves and bodices, enhanced with brocade and detailed embroidery. Medieval grooms wore doublets and tunics with a jeweled belt, jeweled dagger, and maybe even a dashing velvet biretta. Both would have lived it up in crowns, velvet, silk, satin, ermine, jewelry, and gold accents like buttons.
2. Choose royal colors
There are really two main ways to go when it comes to a royal-themed wedding color palette. The first is to create an air of opulence with a strong theme that exudes exclusive luxury. So we’re talking scarlet, crimson, burgundy, maroon, royal purple, jewel tones, and shimmering gold. The other choice is to go for a more dreamy and gauzy fairytale look, with white, ivory, pastels, gold, and silver. Plus you could add soft purplish notes of violet, lilac, or lavender for that added royal vibe.
3. Embrace regal decor
The key to creating a royal feel is to transform your venue into a plush wonderland. Think cascading floral arrangements, silver candelabras, and ornate table settings. Gold dinner plates and royal-style insignia on place settings are other details that make an impression. If you can, include elements like crystal chandeliers and regal drapery in velvet or satin for a luxurious ambiance.
4. Throw in a couple of thrones
It’s the biggest day of your lives, meaning it’s not the time to be shy. So why not treat yourselves to throne-like seating at your reception? Choose ornate and plush chairs that make you feel like royalty, ideally with red velvet cushions. To add an extra dramatic flourish to your regal wedding, you could even have a mock coronation and crowning, complete with scepters and orbs.
5. Indulge in decadent cuisine
No royal-themed wedding would be complete without a feast fit for a king and queen. So you might want to choose classic royal banquet dishes like smoked salmon, lobster tail, filet mignon, truffles, quail eggs, pavlova, chocolate parfait, or Grand Marnier soufflé.
You could also take inspiration from Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s 1947 wedding feast in the Buckingham Palace Ballroom. The meal kicked off with a filet of sole appetizer, followed by an entree of partridge casserole, then finished with a dessert of strawberry “bombe glacée” (a cannon-shaped ice cream bomb with fruit puree inside).
And as far as your wedding cake goes, ideally it should be multi-tiered and over-the-top, maybe with some ritzy gold leaf detailing. Don’t forget to toast with champagne or sparkling wine for that extra touch of luxury.
6. Choose entertainment fit for royalty
“Royal-themed” entertainment can mean different things, depending on the kind of ambiance that you want to create. For a really elegant atmosphere, you could opt for a live string quartet playing classical music. If you’re going for more of a fairytale royalty vibe, then medieval-style minstrels plucking string instruments in full costume would be perfect.
7. Find a venue with a regal feel
Setting is everything when it comes to a royal-themed wedding. What you want is a location with a feeling or timeless glamor and grandeur. Options could include a majestic ballroom or old mansion, ideally with beautiful gardens for your guests to wander around in.
Ready For Your Big Day?
At Il Tulipano in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, we can offer a stunning backdrop for your royal affair, where you can exchange vows in a lush garden surrounded by the beauty of nature. With details like our iconic tulips, sparkling chandeliers, and even a vintage ‘Narnia’ lamppost, your fairytale is waiting for you.
Your wedding day is the most important of your life, so why not celebrate it in a grand style? With a royal wedding theme, you and your partner can really feel like the king and queen of your big day. From selecting a regal venue to wearing gowns and tuxedos fit for royalty, you can create the celebration of our dreams.
At Il Tulipano in Cedar Grove, we offer an unforgettable New Jersey wedding venue. Our iconic space has just had a makeover and has been praised by New Jersey Bride, The Knot, and Wedding Wire. The Il Tulipano team will treat you like family, so get in touch with us today and let’s plan your dream wedding.
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