Harry and Meghan: Wedding Suggestions and Musings


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My youngest son married 20 years ago. My husband and I escorted him to the sanctuary and then her parents escorted her. They met outside the sanctuary and walked up to the altar hand in hand. The phrase (who gives the woman) was not used. They were in their early 30th's.
 
I have only ever been to weddings where the father or close male relative has escorted the bride down the aisle and I have never been to one where 'who gives this woman ... hasn't been used.

The last wedding I went to was three weeks ago when a 23 year old colleague married her 24 year old groom. I asked her if she ever considered anything else and her reply was 'no way ... that is a father's role and to deny him that would be unfair on the father ...' Her views of course and nothing to say that they are 'correct' but she also said she would be surprised if she ever attended a wedding amongst any of her friends who did anything different.
 
Different places, different cultures. And different people, different beliefs.

I went to a wedding last September where both the bride’s parents walked her down the aisle. Other weddings where just the father walked the bride down the aisle while the mothers of the bride and groom were walked down the aisle by the groom, and one wedding where the bride walked down the aisle unescorted. I haven’t been to a single wedding in the past 10 years where the words “who gives this woman” were used - instead it’s always “who presents this woman”, with both mother and father saying “we do.”

It all depends on the bride, really, and what she wants and who she is close to. There isn’t a “right” way to do it - there are many different ways.
 
Most of the weddings I have attended [which is a lot given my friend group and I entering that age bracket when folks start getting hitched], both parents walk the bride down and the groom. Some just had the dad or another male relative, but not very many. As I think about any future wedding for me, my father AND mother would be my own preference, so if Meghan only wants her mom or both her parents, I think either would be lovely.
 
In Sweden tradition dictates that the bride and groom walk down the aisle together. Although it's up to the parish and the officiating priest the official stance by the Church of Sweden is that having the bride given away by a member of her family is not to be encouraged. Never a local tradition (neither was church weddings to be honest) it's something that came here with the advent of film and TV and the supposed symbolism is something the church feel isn't compatible with its ideology.
 
Different places, different cultures. And different people, different beliefs.

I went to a wedding last September where both the bride’s parents walked her down the aisle. Other weddings where just the father walked the bride down the aisle while the mothers of the bride and groom were walked down the aisle by the groom, and one wedding where the bride walked down the aisle unescorted. I haven’t been to a single wedding in the past 10 years where the words “who gives this woman” were used - instead it’s always “who presents this woman”, with both mother and father saying “we do.”

It all depends on the bride, really, and what she wants and who she is close to. There isn’t a “right” way to do it - there are many different ways.

I actually prefer the Dutch tradition where the civil wedding is held before the religious ceremony and the (already married) couple enters the church together. The whole concept of "giving the bride away", whether it is done by the father the mother, or both parents, looks a lot like treating the bride as property that is being transferred from one owner to another. I understand and respect tyjpogh hat it is the tradition in most Western countries, including the US and the UK and, I suppose, the southern European countries.
 
Well, I'm Dutch and my father walked with me at the civil-ceremony. Husband and I walked together at church entrance.
So, civil/church-ceremony does not change anything.
 
They are just making stuff up as they go along.


LaRae
 
:previous: It may be too small or, if it is true it has been renovated for Elizabeth and Philip as a gift it may not be suitable. However, had this been the case I would have thought Prince Philip would be living there rather than the farmhouse that he just ripped the kitchen out of. :D

ps: If "Royal Aides" were telling him that he'd just go ask Gran and if the place is unsuitable he would know since he loves the place.
 
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:previous: It may be too small or, if it is true it has been renovated for Elizabeth and Philip as a gift it may not be suitable. However, had this been the case I would have thought Prince Philip would be living there rather than the farmhouse that he just ripped the kitchen out of. :D

ps: If "Royal Aides" were telling him that he'd just go ask Gran and if the place is unsuitable he would know since he loves the place.

I have read that they recently revamped the decor in certain rooms to incorporate favorite items from the BRF's living space on the HMS Britannia. Perhaps that's what they're talking about?

Something about the story that Harry and Meghan wanted the party at Frogmore but were turned down feels a little fishy to me, given that Peter and Autumn had theirs there and the fact that Frogmore basically only functions now as an event space. Although I guess you're right, there could have been an issue with capacity depending on the number of guests they intend to invite, or maybe a mismatch between what they wanted to have at the reception and what the house could accommodate.
 
Prince William said today Harry hasn’t asked him to be best man at his wedding
 
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I think that would be lovely. IIRC, the Prince of Wales had an official harpist. Perhaps he could contribute that to the
ceremony.
 
Hmmm I looked on Twitter but didn't see any comments like that, was it a particular royal watcher? I would think it would be blasted everywhere by now.


LaRae

I just found it..Hannah Furness has the clip posted!


LaRae
 
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About William being Harry's Best Man - do people think Harry already should have asked him by now?

That said, I wonder how it will be for Meghan. Will she have a Maid/Matron of Honor?
 
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That said, I wonder how it will be for Meghan. Will she have a Maid/Matron of Honor?

I'm pretty sure they all do. It's matter of who or if she will have adult bridesmaid(s).
 
:previous: It may be too small or, if it is true it has been renovated for Elizabeth and Philip as a gift it may not be suitable. However, had this been the case I would have thought Prince Philip would be living there rather than the farmhouse that he just ripped the kitchen out of. :D

ps: If "Royal Aides" were telling him that he'd just go ask Gran and if the place is unsuitable he would know since he loves the place.

We are told the couple chose Windsor to get married because that is where they nurtured their relationship and have grown fond of the place. I find it hard to believe they’d be denied the use of Frogmore house as a reception venue especially since Autumn & Peter Phillips were granted the use of it. Something isn’t adding up here.:whistling:

Isn’t St George’s Hall based in London? If the couple are going to have to head all the way back to London for the wedding reception afterwards why not just have the whole ceremony there, too? Again, something doesn’t ring true.

Edit: just read it’s one of the stately rooms in Windsor castle.
 
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:previous:

I think it might depend on the size of the wedding?
 
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St Georges Hall is part of the State Apartments at Windsor Castle, which is where I'd expect the Reception to be held. Possibly drinks there, and the 'breakfast' in the Waterloo Chamber next door ?
The evening party/dancing could also be held there or in the highly atmospheric undercroft on the Ground floor, underneath St Georges Hall [pictured], which is 14th Century.
 

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Another possibility is security. I think it'd be easier for security if they have this within Windsor Castle grounds rather than Frogmore house. I know Peter Phillips had his reception there, but this is a much more high profile wedding. Can anyone tell us where Sohpie and Edward's reception was held at?
 
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I think we might understand all this better when we have some more info.

When Sophie and Edward married at St George's, they followed the European tradition of having a late afternoon wedding so that, in effect, guests came in their party clothes. Reception in the State Apartments and dancing afterwards.

This makes logistical sense as accommodation locally is very limited. (where do 300-400 guests change for a party?)

This event is going to have larger numbers for both the church and reception/party.

So I think that they will follow the same pattern and have a late afternoon wedding.
 
I have read that they recently revamped the decor in certain rooms to incorporate favorite items from the BRF's living space on the HMS Britannia. Perhaps that's what they're talking about?

Something about the story that Harry and Meghan wanted the party at Frogmore but were turned down feels a little fishy to me, given that Peter and Autumn had theirs there and the fact that Frogmore basically only functions now as an event space. Although I guess you're right, there could have been an issue with capacity depending on the number of guests they intend to invite, or maybe a mismatch between what they wanted to have at the reception and what the house could accommodate.

The HMS Britania stuff was done some years ago, when the yacht was decommissioned.

I am not sure if they would have been 'denied' especially if the queen would have liked it. If not at Frogmore it seems more likely due to the size, or perhaps the queen thought the more formal rooms required. Autumn and Peter was a private wedding. Edward and Sophie, and Charles and Camilla, both used St George Hall for their wedding reception.

The Prince of Wales has a Official Harpist.. so it is a possibility..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offici...rince_of_Wales

Here is a clip of the current one



I think we might understand all this better when we have some more info.

When Sophie and Edward married at St George's, they followed the European tradition of having a late afternoon wedding so that, in effect, guests came in their party clothes. Reception in the State Apartments and dancing afterwards.

This makes logistical sense as accommodation locally is very limited. (where do 300-400 guests change for a party?)

This event is going to have larger numbers for both the church and reception/party.

So I think that they will follow the same pattern and have a late afternoon wedding.

Windsor castle certainly has a number of guest bedrooms that the queen may make available for many guests. The yorks and Wessexes have homes which many guests may use. Many of these guests will also have had to get hotel rooms as they are out of town guests, and can change there.
 
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