Mike Tindall and Zara Philips are husband and wife

Mike Tindall and Zara Philips

Mike Tindall and Zara Philips's wedding was a private affair, nevertheless, since it was a royal wedding, many well-wishers had gathered outside of Canongate Kirk yesterday, to catch a glimpse of the wedding party. Mike and Zara did not disappoint the well-wishers, when they came out of the church as husband and wife, after a 45-minute ceremony, they recreated their own 'balcony-scene-kiss-minus-the-balcony'. The crowd was delighted. After the ceremony the wedding party headed to Holyroodhouse for the evening reception.

Reverend Neil Gardener wed the couple in the 17th century Canongate Kirk, the official kirk of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Zara with father Mark Philips © AP

Zara wore an ivory dress by Edinburgh-trained designer Stewart Parvin, a favourite designer of Queen Elizabeth. The gown had a chevron pleated bodice, that ended in inverted pleats on a dropped waist, thus creating a bell-shaped silhouette. It included a concealed structured corset, a short train and silk tulle straps that fell into a V-shape at the back. She wore it with a silk veil and The Meander Tiara, lent to Zara by her mother Princess Anne.The bridesmaids wore ivory dresses, the youngest bridesmaids' dresses had tulle skirts. The maid of honour wore a dove grey dress.

Zara arrived with her father, Captain Mark Philips, by car. He got out of the car first and opened the car door for his daughter. As they walked to the church, Zara briefly turned around and waved at the crowd. Then Zara and her father were greeted by Reverend Neil Gardner and went inside the 17th century church. Zara's elder brother Peter was an usher and greeted guests by the entrance of the Kirk.

Mike looked dapper in a black jacket, grey pinstriped trousers, a grey waistcoat, white shirt and grey tie. Mike seemed completely relaxed and smiled and waved at the photographers and the crowd.

The Earl and Countess of Strathearn

Among the first guests to arrive was Zara's mother, the Princess Royal, Princess Anne. Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, were also in attendance, as well as Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Queen Elizabeth, and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Duchess Catherine of Cambridge. The Earl and Countess of Strathearn, William and Kate's Scottish titles, looked wonderful. Kate wore a beautiful champagne-coloured embroidered coat over her dress, that was gorgeous enough to keep on all night. She paired the dress and coat with nude pumps and a hat with floral detail.

After the ceremony Zara and Mike posed for photographers outside the church, whilst the crowd cheered.


The reception took place at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen's official Scottish home. It is expected that best man Iain Balshaw has given his best man's speech there. Mike and Iain are both rugby players, having played together for the Gloucester and England team.

Zara is thought to be setting a royal precedent by not taking her husband's last name. Brides of the royal family have always taken the surnames of their spouses, be they royal or not. According to the Daily Mail  Zara is keeping her own surname based on the fact that "she wants to preserve her sporting persona and her business interests."

Mike Tindall's wedding party

First look: Zara Philips's wedding dress

Mike Tindall and Zara Philips © Jeff J. Mitchell

Mike Tindall and Zara Philips are husband and wife. The couple married today at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, Scotland. US Magazine was the first to post this photo of the newlyweds AND Zara's dress. According to CNN is the designer of Zara's ivory wedding gown Stewart Parvin. Parvin is one of Queen Elizabeth's favourite designers.

Zara and Mike's wedding is a private affair, but many well-wishers had gathered outside the church to cheer for the newlyweds and other royal attendants, including Prince William and Kate, Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Queen Elizabeth, and Zara's mother the Princess Royal (Princess Anne).

After the ceremony the guests will go back to Holyroodhouse for the reception.

Zara Philips and Mike Tindall pre-wedding party

Mike Tindall and Zara Philiphs © Dave M. Benett/Getty

Zara Philips and Mike Tindall are set to marry tomorrow, Saturday July 30th, in Edinburgh, Scotland. The ceremony will begin at 3 p.m.

Tonight, on the 30th anniversary of the marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana - Zara's uncle and aunt-, guests are gathering together. The younger guests are expected to party on the Royal Yacht Britannia, a retired vessel of the Windsor's, that's now docked in Leith.

Iain Balshaw and Mike Tindall
© Cosmopolitan UK

Zara, daughter of the Princess Royal, and rugby player Mike announced their engagement in Decemeber. Their wedding wil be very different from that of Prince William and Kate in April - fyi: William and Kate a.k.a the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will go by their Scottish titles whilst in Scotland: the Earl and Countess of Strathearn - Zara and Mike will have their festivities in a palace, the Holyroodhouse, but their won't be any tv camera's, no wedding mugs and other memorabilia, nor a crowd lining the streets. There won't be horse-drawn carriages either, the wedding party will leave Holyroodhouse by car and return in a fleet of luxury vehicles after the ceremony.

Zara is said to be wearing a wedding gown by Stuart Parvin, but her reps won't confirm this rumour. Also, the only known member of the wedding party is best man Iain Balshaw. What is certain is that the almost newlyweds will forego a honeymoon, for now. Zara has commitments regarding her career as an equestrian - she's a show-jumper - and Mike has to be back at the England rugby training camp on Monday.

Zara Philips preps for her wedding

Mike Tindall and Zara Philips

Training is nothing new for sports woman Zara Philips, but she's been training "like a devil" to be in the shape of her life for her wedding this Saturday. Zara, daughter of the Princess Royal and cousing of Princes William and Harry, is set to marry rugby player Mike Tindall.

The Daily Mail describes a day out of the life of Zara. First there's a 7 a.m. jog through the streets of Cheltenham, where she mostly goes unnoticed in a tracksuit and trainers. Then she'll change into jodhpurs and train with her horses for three hours at Gatcombe Park estate. Afterwards she'll go to Calcot Manor, a hotel and spa near Prince Charles's house in Tetbury, Gloucestershire. At the manor she'll keep herself busy with a gym workout, swim and a spa treatment as a reward. The Calcot Manor, set in 220 acres of Cotswold meadowland, costs £475 per night. According to the Daily Mail Zara has enjoyed Spiezia organic facial and scalp treatments. The facials incorporate yoga breathing and Japanese massage technique 'anma' for complete relaxation.

Best man Iain Balshaw and groom Mike Tindall
© Cosmopolitan UK

Zara's friends say that she exercises "like a demon" and has dieted - no more sweet treats - in order to look her ultimate best on Saturday. One friend said, "Zara is a very confident girl, but she is incredibly nervous as she knows all eyes will be upon her. Although she is a world champion sportswoman and has a fabulous figure, like most brides Zara has been throwing herself into a health and fitness regima and has actively been trying to lose weight. She rides every day anyway, but has been jogging and swimming as well. Zara is actually really nervous and wants to look good on the day, particularly given the glowing reception that Kate Middleton received."

No such exercise reports of groom Mike Tindall, unless it be his drinking sessions, when on his stag do with best man Iain Balshaw.