The details surrounding Prince William and Kate Middleton's royal nuptials have people around the world wondering about the details of the sure-to-be-lavish affair. Winnipeggers are also hungry to get the nitty-gritty.
With 1,000 Imperial cookies already ordered for random royal parties around the city, The High Tea Bakery knows this is only the start of the British-inspired boom.
“It's just been madness round here, I mean we were expecting an increase in sales but nothing like this,” said Belinda Bijold, co-owner and president of the bakery.
Bijold is expecting the focus will soon turn to wedding cakes, once people see what Princess Kate has picked for her big day.
“Someone told me she's having ten of them,” Bijold said, “I don't know if that's true or not, but if there's ten, that's great, because there's going to be all sorts of different directions people can go.”
Simple and elegant is what most wedding-watchers are expecting the royal wedding, with lots of details like handmade flowers on cakes.
“I really think it's going to effect trends for the next, well, couple years, really,” Bijold added.
Florist Connie van Reenan expects she will also be replicating elements of the royal boutique.
“I'm very curious because that's going to me what the rest of season and what 2012 is going to bring in floral design for weddings,” Van Reenan said.
“If Kate has an all-white bouquet, I think 2012, we're going to see a surge of all white bouquets.”
Of course, Middleton’s choice of dress is sure to have a big impact on wedding industry fashion.
“Everyone's kind of curious to see what kind of dress she's wearing,” said Tammy Mignacca, of Stella’s Bridal in Winnipeg.
They’re expecting to see rich fabrics, silks and heavy beading.
“A lot of girls really don't want huge, huge trains,” Mignacca said, “You get the odd girl that's getting married in a church where there's a longer aisle and they do want that dramatic look.”
Elaborate hats haven't caught-on in the Winnipeg wedding scene just yet, but feathers are certainly in, as are big earrings with no necklaces. And Stella’s is also stocking veils of up to 12-feet in length.
“I think she's going to have something along this line with a long, long veil,” Mignacca said as she gestured to one gown, “I can't see her in anything really big.”
Mignacca expects that knock-offs of Middleton’s dress will start to arrive on the racks in the fall.
But the big question is, will the modern-day princess choose anything similar to Princess Di, William’s mom?
“I remember the big dress and everything thinking how can she walk in that? Everything was just over the top,” Mignacca recalled.
"I'd like to see if she goes all out like Princess Di did with the huge train, because she's very classic, very simple.”
At least one Winnipeg bride-to-be is keeping a close eye on the royal wedding for inspiration, looking for ideas for décor, dress and hairstyles.
“I think she's going to have not too exposed, and very classic,” said Sandy Andretti.
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