Pippa Middleton's wedding: Duchess of Cambridge's sister weds James Matthews in private ceremony

According to the Mail guests were even able to play ping pong with former Wimbledon champion  Roger Federer.  The Mirror, meanwhile says that there was a ban on mobile phones at the party to prevent footage of the festivities being leaked out.

Word is seeping out of what was on offer for the guests at the reception.

The Daily Mail is reporting that guests were sipping £75 a bottle sparking wine from  Sussex vineyard Nyetimber as well as feasting on  £40,000 worth of caviar, reportedly donated by a Russian millionaire.

Meanwhile the Mirror is suggesting that they were drinking champagne and eating  haggis, lamb, serrano ham and parmesan.

Meghan Markle made it to the reception thanks to Prince Harry, who was seen driving her into the Middletons' Berkshire estate after reportedly collecting her from Kensington Palace.

The Sun is reporting that a  band can heard going through its repertoire which includes jazz renditions of Call on Me by Eric Prydz and The White Stripes Seven Nation Army.

The paper adds that best man Spencer Matthews, the younger brother of groom James, could be heard earning rounds of applause and laughs for his best man’s speech which took place at the late hour of 11pm.

 

The couple's hymns reportedly  included Be Thou My Vision; Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken, and I Vow To Thee, My Country.

The readings included Love Is An Adventure by Pierre Tielhard du Chardin, read by Pippa’s brother James and Spencer Matthews read a passage from the Paulo Coelho novel, The Alchemist.

Pippa's father Michael Middleton apparently joked in his speech that he had now "lost both his daughters...but to great men".

Meghan Markle, said to be at the evening do, managed to escape the heavy security imposed on other guests who spent an hour and a half being checked by security staff in Bucklebury Village Hall before being driven to the manor. 

As guests finally arrived for the evening at around 8.30 pm, a WW2 Spitfire plane circled the manor before descending from the sky in dizzying loops and spins. 

It took off just in time, as the sun was going down and rain started to pour. The final guests were rushing to the gate to escape the weather.

There are rumours Meghan Markle has been spotted outside Bucklebury home with Prince Harry. However, she was not among the guest forced to go through the security cordon.

Other guests arriving to celebrate the newlyweds at the Middleton Manor included English tennis star Tim Herman and Swiss tennis ace Roger Federer.

TV personalities Tom Bradby and Ben Fogle were also present, as well as Conservativee MP Richard Benyon, whose private estate played host to the couple.

Meghan Markle did not attend Pippa's church service but there are rumours she may attend the evening celebrations.

 

Gary Goldsmith afterwards praised the "brilliant couple" who he confirmed "gave everyone time and attention" despite the demands of being in the spotlight.

 

 The happy couple, with James at the wheel, drive off to the reception at the Middleton mansion in a E-Type Jaguar.

 

The bride looked spectacular in a Giles Deacon dress, but what were the high profile guests wearing?

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry attended the service at St Mark's Church in Englefield, Berkshire, along with best man Spencer Matthews, of course best known for appearing on Made in Chelsea. Surprisingly, Prince Harry's girlfriend actress Meghan Markle didn't attend the service.

Kate Middleton looked understated but stunning in a blush pink, long sleeved Alexander McQueen dress (the designer she chose for her own wedding gown).

Mother-of-the-bride Carol Middleton appeared to co-ordinate with Kate and wore head to toe pale pink. The jacket is by Catherine Walker&Co.

Princess Eugenie looked elegant in a navy prom-style dress with subtle shoulder cut-out detailing and got extra fashion points for a statement Anya Hindmarch "crisp packet clutch" bag.

James Middleton's girlfriend Donna Air arrived in what looked suspiciously like an ivory dress to the wedding, a faux pas. However, it could be called pale yellow to avoid embarrassment.

Prince William and Prince Harry looked typically dapper in their morning suits.

The groom's brother and best man Spencer Matthews, greeted guests at the church entrance. His blue waistcoat and orange tie combination was a nice touch.

Tennis star Roger Federer and his wife Mirka were on the guest list too.

Some of the male guests were sporting some loud tartan, possibly because the Matthews family owns an estate in Scotland.

Serena Hood, executive fashion editor at Vogue, looked fabulous in a high-neck blue maxi dress with a white box clutch and gold heels.

And the page boys and flower girls looked adorable in their cream and gold ensembles.

Rumours have been swirling for months, but today it was finally revealed that Pippa Middleton's wedding dress was designed by British fashion designer Giles Deacon.

The Duchess of Cambridge's sister wore a high neck, cap-sleeved ivory gown with a corseted bodice and bespoke lace detailing to marry financier James Matthews, 41, at St Mark's Church Englefield, Buckinghamshire.

Crowds at the church thought she looked ravishing, but what do fashion's finest think? We asked three bridalwear experts for their verdicts...

The lace is a big hit

"It's simple and pretty," says David Emanuel, host and creative director of Say Yes to the Dress UK, who also designed Princess Diana's wedding dress. "I predicted it would be soft and pretty and very English, which it is."

"I love the lace, it looks so clean, so pristine, she looked immaculate," agrees couture designer Edwing D'Angelo.

It's a little bit sexy - but not too much

"I think the capped sleeves and delicate v-back show her arms, without being too over the top. It really emphasises her waist," says Peta Hunt, editor-at-large, You & Your Wedding Magazine.

"She's got the key hole back detail which is how to show a bit of skin without being too much," agrees bridalwear designer Charlotte Balbier. "I believe if you're going to show off the back detail then you must go high at the front, and she's done that. I love the high neck, that's my favourite part."

The dress totally suits the setting

"Because it's an English country wedding, she went for soft and pretty," explains Emanuel.

"It's a very English girl's dress, for the classic English wedding," agrees Hunt. "It's a really appropriate dress for that venue and the fact she's having a country garden reception."

Hunt thought that the pearl-embellished tulle veil, which was designed by legendary milliner Stephen Jones, flowed beautifully.

"It's Britishness at its best, which is what we needed. She didn't want loads of sparkle, I'm glad she stuck to her roots."

Giles Deacon was an excellent choice

"Looking at the dress, she was obviously looking for a romantic feel and I think [Giles Deacon] gave her that with this dress. I absolutely love his work, it was a great choice," D'Angelo says.

Emanuel thinks that the choice of a fashion-forward designer like Deacon over more mainstream or traditional names means Pippa is showing off her fashion credentials.

"In his past, he's worked for big fashion houses and then he went into ready to wear and now he's doing couture...he's relatively new on the scene."

Pippa is going to be a trend-setter

"I'm sure we're going to get lots of girls following her lead with this dress," Hunt says. "It's an easy look for us all to emulate. It is what most girls dream of looking like, I feel."

Now the dust has settled, let's find out what the villagers thought of Pippa's big day.

Englefield resident Elizabeth Mary Reeves sported a silver wristband with the wedding date 20.05.17 printed on, given exclusively to locals who were let into the private church grounds to get a better look.

She said of the bride:

She stood and waved and looked just lovely. As all brides do, they glow, no matter how expensive their dress is.

She looked absolutely beautiful.

The 68-year-old, whose daughter and son married at the same church, said the bride and groom looked "very happy" as they waved to the small crowd gathered on the church green.

As the doors opened, the bells started and it was just brilliant.

There were about six little ones, well-behaved, and they all stood on the porch and it was lovely.

(Prince) George was waving, (Princess) Charlotte was waving and Kate stooped next to them.

I just love it. I think it's so good for the village, so good for the country, and it just gives it a happy mood and we need a happy mood.

There's so much sadness in the world, so much nastiness. And to have something like this just gives the county a little bit of a lift up.

It just put a buzz in the community.

She said she marvelled at the dresses and said:

All I hope is that they bought from British brands.

The dresses were magnificent but the heels - I wonder how they're going to walk in those.

Princess Beatrice was there, Roger Federer was there. It was beautiful.

(I came) Just to say 'I was here'.

Our jewellery expert Sarah Royce-Greensill has noticed Pippa Middleton is wearing the Robinson Pelham diamond earrings she wore when she was a bridesmaid at the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding in 2011.

Well here is the post wedding picture we've all been waiting for, the embrace: 

The guests are all filing away now and making the journey to Bucklebury for the reception.

Eleanor Steafel collared bellringer Geoffrey Eastlake outside. 

He said:

We thought it went very well. There were eight of us in there altogether.

It was lovely. We weren't nervous at all, we often do weddings.

Soooooooo, now the dust has settled from the ceremony and we know all about the dress and the pageboys and bridesmaids and all that, there is one thing that hasn't been answered:  where is Harry's squeeze?

We didn't see Meghan Markle arriving at the church, and we haven't seen her leave.

So far it's the slightly awkward elephant in the room.

Did she attend wedding? Will she make it to the reception?

What on earth is going on?

Helen Horton digs deep here.

With the ceremony over, the wedding party move on to the reception in Bucklebury.

Prince George waves goodbye: 

 

The happy couple are married!

Wedding bells have just rang out, with supporters peering through the trees and hoping to document the exit of the bride and groom on their phones.

Spectators waved as the wedding party wandered up towards the private Englefield House, led by Mr and Mrs Matthews.

Guests file out of the church as Pippa and James, having tied the knot, greet members of the public:

 

The service is well under way now and we assume it is all going to plan. But we will find out in the next few minutes...

Will that wedding bell ring?

 

Eleanor Steafel, sadly without an invite for the ceremony, is outside the church:

Many locals have been left disappointed as the bridal party drove straight from the main house to the church without going past the waiting crowd of well wishers. 

One Englefield resident told me: "Its just a shame she hasn't come past. If you way to be in the public eye, and you've broadcasted the wedding around the world, people should be able to see more of it."

Another resident told me that though she only lives a few minutes away, she wasn't issued with a wristband and was devastated not to be allowed in the pen where locals were allowed to watch from.

"It's a bit mean really," she said. "I didn't realise I needed a wristband otherwise I'd have called up first and asked for one."

Pippa wore a bespoke veil made by milliner Stephen Jones, of tulle with a degrade of embroidered pearls. 

She also wore a tiara by Robinson Pelham, and ivory stain pumps by Manolo Blahnik with pearl detailing.

Caroline Leaper, The Telegraph's fashion news and features editor, gives her verdict here.

Giles Deacon said:

I was thrilled to work with Pippa on her wedding dress. 

The dress is constructed with a cap sleeve, high neckline and features a corseted bodice with draping to the front and a heart-shaped detail at the back.

The bespoke silk cotton lace was hand appliqued to create an illusion of the dress having 'no seams'.

The lace bodice is embroidered with pearl detailing over an organza and tulle underskirt, which has payer upon layer to enable a floor sweeping movement.

It's a privilege to show the craftsmanship that my team produces in London and a real testament to Pippa's support of British fashion.

And here's a lovely image, the Duchess of Cambridge adjusting her sister's dress on her wedding day:

The picture may remind you of the famous one taken at the Duchess' wedding, at which Pippa Middleton wore a very striking dress.

 

And following the bride, the rest of the wedding party, including Prince George and Princess Charlotte:

More details on the wedding have just been released.

The bridesmaids are Countess Philippa Hoyos, Lily French, Avia Horner and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge. 

The pageboys are Casimir Tatos, Edward Sebire, William Ward and Prince George.

All wore bespoke outfits by Pepa & Co.

The bridal bouquet, made by Lavender Green, included peony, sweetpea, asilbe, freesia, waxflower, green bell and alchemilla mollis.

And finally, this: 

She's kept us all waiting - as is tradition - but now is the moment we've all been waiting for.

Here she is, the bride: 

Eleanor Steafel says:

The Duchess of Cambridge's sister arrived at St Mark's Church in a vintage, open top Rolls Royce, just in time to pose for a few pictures before the heavens opened. 

Looking radiant in her Giles Deacon dress, with her father Michael holding her arm, Pippa has just walked down the little path into the 12th century church, where she was met at the door by Prince George and Princess Charlotte. 

 

The mother of the bride with her son James:

 Meanwhile, the nanny to Prince George and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Maria Borrallo, is there in uniform:

 

The Telegraph's Eleanor Steafel has just caught a glimpse of the mother of the bride.

She says:

The mother of the bride has just arrived. Carole Middleton is wearing pale pink.

The first sight of Princes William and Harry... but so far no sign of Meghan Markle.

Will she go in a different way to avoid attention? Or was she never invited?

We think she'll be there.

Also, so far the Duchess of Cambridge hasn't arrived - we saw her leaving London with the Duke earlier and caught a glimpse of her hat.

 

Doesn't he look dapper.

 

The first royalty arrive in the shape of Princess Eugenie:

 

They've arrived!

Groom James Middleton and Made in Chelsea badboy, and we presume Best Man, Spencer Matthews are at the church on time.

Spencer, of course, has a cheeky grin on his face.

 

We saw him tweeting when he left the house, but now Pippa's Uncle Gary has arrived. He is with his daughter Tallulah, meaning she obviously isn't a bridesmaid. 

A stream of Range Rovers, BMWs and Mercedes Benz cars are now offloading more and more fashionable guests adorned with fascinator hats.

 

Roger Federer has just arrived with his wife Mirka.

Your correspondent is very excited about this.

He looks ace.

 

The Telegraph's Eleanor Steafel reports that celebrity Geordie Donna Air has just arrived, minus James Middleton.

He will presumably will be walking down from the main house with the family.

There was some speculation that Donna Air would miss out on an invite because of a "no ring no bring" policy - but that is obviously not the case (unless she's crashing the wedding, of course).

The guests are flooding in now, and include Serena Hood, Executive Fashion Editor at BritishVogue, and her financier Peregrine:

 

A hour before the ceremony and the first arrivals are turning up.

Can't blame them for being early, can you?

 

The Telegraph's Eleanor Steafel has been speaking to some of the locals who have been given a prime viewing spot:

Three hundred people who either live in Englefield or work on the estate are lining up to be shown into a pen which has been created on the lawn in front of the church - a token of thanks from the estate for all the upheaval.

Michelle Cooke, who works as a teaching assistant in the local primary school, has brought her 10-year-old son George with her. "We're hoping to have a good view," she says. "It's so exciting to have this happening in our village. My son is hoping to see Prince Harry, he's a big Harry fan!"

 

We are due to start our live-stream of the event shortly, but before then let's indulge ourselves with a few questions (all of which we will find out the answers too soon). 

• What will Meghan Markle wear to Pippa's wedding?
• What will Pippa's wedding ring look like?
• What will Carole Middleton wear to Pippa's wedding?
• Is this Pippa Middleton's honeymoon hotel?
• And finally, what will Spencer Matthews be up to???

Pippa's uncle, Uncle Gary, is on the way too.

And he's been tweeting:

 

We've had the weather update from the Met Office (see below) but now The Telegraph's Eleanor Steafel puts her weathergirl hat on from the scene.

Here's the outlook:

It had been a glorious sunny morning in Berkshire, perfect for an English country wedding. But the grey clouds are coming in and it's looking like the wedding party might be getting a little wet when they arrive in an hour's time.

Security is understandably tight ahead of the event, if only to keep back all the royal fans.

The wedding is of course a very private affair.

 

The Telegraph's Eleanor Steafel is at the church as excitement builds:

A small crowd of well wishers is gathering just down the hill from St Mark's Church, where in a couple of hours Pippa Middleton will marry James Matthews.

Kourtney Coleman has travelled all the way from the United States with her mother Joanne Kloser in the hope of catching a glimpse of the bride and her royal guests.

"We were supposed to be here in March and our plans changed and when I realised when the wedding was going to be, we planned the whole trip around it," says Kourtney.

"I was on the streets for her sister's wedding, so I just had to be here. We love all the royals. We just love Pippa.

"My mother actually named her dog after Pippa. And my dog is named after George. I hope we get to see them!"

David and Meryl Evans have travelled here today from West Wales to see the spectacle.

"We were coming to the area on holiday and when we put the address into Google, we realised this was where the wedding would be taking place, so we thought we have to go!" says Meryl.

"I hope we see something, I want to see Prince Harry!"

Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William have been pictured heading out from Kensington Palace and on their way to her sister's wedding.

Look closely, and you can see Kate's hat.

 

Organisers and villagers have remained staunchly tight-lipped about the details of the society wedding of the year in the build-up and the finer points of the event have been a closely-guarded secret.

Reports suggest it will be a lavish affair with a nod to the groom's Scottish connections included in his outfit, entertainment and the food.

According to the Daily Mail, the menu will include haggis canapes, Scottish lamb and whisky while there will also be a piper and a Spitfire flypast.

A spokeswoman for event organisers Fait Accompli said: "There is no comment on the wedding detail, it is a private event."

And a spokeswoman for Table Talk, who are reportedly catering for the event, said: "I'm afraid we are not allowed to comment."

Security is expected to be tight with several senior royals attending, guarded as usual by Scotland Yard royalty protection officers.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We are not prepared to discuss matters of security."

The details of Miss Middleton's wedding gown have also been a tightly-held secret, with the names of a number of designers being put forward by royal-watchers from Amanda Wakeley and Jenny Packham to Oscar De La Renta, Giles Deacon and Alexander McQueen.

Reverend Nick Wynne-Jones, who is the church's resident priest, is expected to officiate at the wedding.

A woman who answered his phone on Friday said he would not be able to talk about it because he had "signed a no comment contract".

As an Anglican church, St Mark's must open its doors to parishioners as weddings are deemed to be public events under Church of England guidelines.

The legal advisory commission of the General Synod published its guidance on celebrity marriages in April this year, when it said: "A marriage is a public ceremony which at the least all parishioners (including those whose names are on the electoral roll) are entitled to attend."

This was regardless of whether those who lived in the parish were Anglican or not, it added.

Ian Southall, manager of the Englefield Social Club on the Englefield Estate, said the village had been busy with people making arrangements for the big day, many of whom included the world's media.

The feedback I'm getting is just, it's happening.

Apart from all the extra traffic it's not going to affect me personally.

I think a few people will go up (to the service).

I saw lots of people around the church, I presume a lot of people were press.

He added he did not think the wedding party would be dropping in for a dram of whisky from the club's stock of single malts.

They are not coming into the club, the club is getting used for something but I cannot really comment

We've been asked not to speak to the press, I don't know why because we don't know anything.

With the Middleton family home just a few miles away in the village of Bucklebury, the couple and their guests will not have far to travel for the reception, which is reportedly being staged in the grounds of the property.

Deliveries of equipment and goods have also been seen going into the substantial house, with reports claiming the family have spent tens of thousands of pounds on a glass marquee and upmarket portable toilets for guests.

A woman from Glasgow has traveled all the way down to Berkshire for the wedding.

She telephoned Harriet, wife of Nick Wynne-Jones, the priest at St Mark's church to ask for the time of the service.

She was told that it was a private event, but the woman did not take no for an answer.

She informed Harriet Wynne-Jones that she had already booked herself into a hotel and would be attending the event.

Will she cause even more of a stir than Spencer Matthews?

Spencer Matthews, of Made In Chelsea love-rat fame, and the brother of the groom, will be one to watch at this wedding.

He is known for his enjoyment of 'hilarious' pranks and generally being the centre of attention, so it is no surprise he has reportedly been told to keep shtum today by no other than P-Middy herself.

We know this because a source has told E! News that Pippa Middleton has warned him off any funny business.

The source informed the celebrity news site that Mr Matthews can be "a loose cannon, especially with no one on his arm." They said he is known for "acting single" on nights out, and James' wedding is "no exception."

"She doesn't want Spencer acting up during the day and has him warned to keep an eye on the booze," they explained "Strictly no pranks. He was planning to write 'LAD' on the bottom of James' shoes!"

Good morning everyone. We are up bright and early to write about the event of the year.

It's a beautiful day for a wedding - but not for long.

According to the Met Office, it's set to rain later, so let's hope the Royals and celebrities invited to the wedding remembered to bring a brolly or their painstakingly-styled hair is set to be ruined.

Luckily, they have a very posh and fancy gazebo to hide in, a monstrous glass-and-steel contraption imported from Belgium.

It even has a covered decking so if one of the wedding guests sneak out for a cheeky fag, the drizzle won't make them damp.