In less than 24 hours, Pippa Middleton and James Matthews will marry at St Mark’s Church in Englefield, for the society wedding of the year. While the world anxious awaits the nuptials, The Knot rounds up the essential details about the wedding itself, including who’s involved, where it’s held, what’s set to take place, and more.
1. The Bride and Groom Will Have a Traditional Church Wedding
Middleton, 33, and Matthews, 41, will make their union official on Saturday, May 20, at St Mark’s in Berkshire. The scenic 12th century church, which conveniently rests on a private estate, is located less than 50 miles from Westminster Abbey, where the bride’s sister, Kate Middleton, married Prince William in 2011.
The church’s Reverend Nick Wynee-Jones will serve as the officiant. According to reports, about 150 guests are expected to attend the ceremony itself. St Mark’s holds a rather special place in the Middleton family’s heart: The bride and the Duchess of Cambridge attended the church from a young age after growing up in nearby Bucklebury.
ENGLEFIELD, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 25: View of St Marks Church where the Middleton Family attend a Christmas Day service on December 25, 2016 in Englefield, England. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/WireImage)
2. The Reception Will Take Place at Pippa’s Parents’ Estate
After the ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests will make their way to Carole and Michael Middleton’s property, which includes a Georgian Grade II-listed manor house purchased back in 2012.
About 350 guests are expected at the reception itself. The entire wedding is supposedly Scottish-themed, and will include all types of cultural nods including bagpipes, whisky and more. According to The Sun, the bride has hand-selected recipes from her own book.
3. The Forecast Calls for Rain
It rained throughout the couple’s wedding rehearsal, and it may rain during the actual ceremony. However, the bride and groom are well prepared. Ahead of inclement weather, a huge glass structure has been erected in the Middleton family’s garden to guard guests from the stormy weather above.
BUCKLEBURY, BERKSHIRE – DECEMBER 25: Pippa Middleton and James Matthews attend church on Christmas Day on December 25, 2016 in Bucklebury, Berkshire. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)
4. Prince George and Princess Charlotte Will Be in the Wedding Party
The Duchess of Cambridge will not play the same role as her sister from her 2011 wedding, but Princess Kate will undoubtedly be in attendance. According to Kensington Palace, she will be joined by Prince William and their two adorable children, Prince George, 3, and Princess Charlotte, 2. George will serve as a page boy, while Charlotte will be a one of the bridesmaids.
ENGLEFIELD, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 25: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge attend a Christmas Day service at St. Marks Church on December 25, 2016 in Englefield, England. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/WireImage)
5. Kate’s a Little Worried About the Kids
The Duchess told a guest at a garden party earlier this week that she has one concern when it comes to her sibling’s nuptials. “She said that they were all really looking forward to her sister’s wedding at the weekend, but she was a bit worried about how her children might behave,” an attendee named Andrew Bates told reporters. “She said she was hopeful that they would be good but you never know at that age.”
Though George and Charlotte weren’t spotted at the rehearsal dinner, their nanny joined the Duke and Duchess at St Mark’s on Friday. Later, Will and Kate were spotted driving back to Kensington Palace following the run-through.
5. The Wedding Party Includes a Reality TV star
The groom’s younger brother Spencer Matthews, a reality television star based in the U.K., will serve as best man in the wedding.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 17: Spencer Matthews sighting at the BBC studios on January 17, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Simon James/GC Images)
6. Prince Harry Will Attend With Meghan Markle
It’s anticipated that William’s brother, Prince Harry, will attend the nuptials, along with his girlfriend, Suits actress, Meghan Markle. Previously, Middleton had instated a “no ring, no bring” rule, which she amended for Markle. The bride’s decision was reportedly made after the actress was spotted at her first public event with her brother-in-law several weeks prior to the wedding.
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7. Pippa Will Likely Walk Down the Aisle In Giles Deacon
British fashion designer, Giles Deacon, met with Middleton and her mother last year, and while it’s unclear whether the trio’s meeting was wedding-related, it’s possible that Deacon may have designed Middleton’s dress. Deacon’s creations are known for having a fun, playful edge, so it’s possible that the bride will walk down the aisle in a nontraditional gown.
