Lemondrop

This past weekend, at her royal wedding, Crown Princess Victoria gave the classic fairy tale a twist, elevating her gym-owner beau to newly minted Prince of Sweden.

In fact, wedding season is in full swing for those who accessorize with crowns. Yesterday, Prince Albert of Monaco got engaged to Olympic swimmer Charlotte Witstock. Prince William and Kate Middleton are busy doing the will-they-or-won't they shuffle. And, on July 31, Chelsea Clinton -- a former first daughter, arguably the closest thing America has to royalty -- will be walking down the aisle. Which means there's a lot of top-notch wedding planners glued to their Bluetooths right about now.

What we wondered: What trickle-down trends will the princess's royal nuptials launch? And which are best left in Stockholm? Herewith, your sneak peek into royal wedding trends of 2010 -- and the dos and don'ts if you're a bride-to-be.


DO: Wear a Boatneck Dress
When you're trying to rock dangly earrings, a long veil and an intricate crown, it's the only way to go. It keeps the ladies covered, leaves your décolleté open, and gives you enough real estate to let all that bling breathe. Besides, it's elegant, in a Grace Kelly (Prince Albert's mom) kind of way.


DO: Match Your Cake to Your Gown
If you're going to have a cake big enough to jump out of -- which you need when inviting half of Earth -- it's best to keep it simple. We love the way the smooth layers of this cake echo the folds of HRH Victoria's dress. And this trend will work with most any gown. If you're hell-bent on wearing red, there's always red velvet.

DO: Let Them See You Eat
If you're half as popular as this princess, you may want to consider the T-shaped head table that veers off into infinity. Kind of an ingenious way not to snub anyone and to let a full 300 guests boast, "I sat at Table One."

DO: Opt for Timeless Jewelry
When there's no doubt your descendants will be looking to your wedding for inspiration, don't make the mistake of falling for trends. Tasteful cameos (of titled relatives, if you have them) are a timeless choice.
DO: Carry a Graphic Motif From Beginning to End
Of course, it helps if your family has its own coat of arms, but no one says you can't co-opt another pretty symbol, like the fleur de lis. For Daniel and Victoria, it was the Swedish crown, which made cameos throughout, not to be confused with the literal cameos, above.
DON'T: Force Guests to Embrace Your Theme
If you're a royal, we say go whole-hog with the imagery. And this Swede, who did up her digits with the national crest, gets our nod of approval. Just don't go issuing royal decrees to your bridesmaids: This is only if they get swept up in the romance of it all.
DON'T: Invite Guests Who Will Upstage You
Yes, we realize her folksiness is on purpose, but it's still a don't. You may be going to a royal wedding, but the dress code isn't "peasant chic."
DO: Consider a Jumbotron
It's the modern way to play to your fawning masses. Rather than having them get caught up in the hassle around the castle, they can choose their park of choice. Better yet, it will cut your crowd control bill in half.


DON'T: Take the Whole Cinderella Thing Too Literally
Listen, Princess, we're glad you found him too. But this thing just screams "trying too hard." Besides, Fairy Godmother wants her claptrap back.


DO: Get Away Via Periwinkle Gondola
Chic. Better. Different. And isn't it just so much more fun floating away in a boat?

DON'T: Get Carried Away by All the Pomp and Circumstance
This is our favorite shot of the newlyweds. Let those muckety-mucks parade around in their sashes like older, grayer beauty queens. This is your wedding, it's celebrating your love, and with that playful smirk, these two look like they're in it to win it.

DO: Consider Whether the Carpet Will Clash
It's hard enough to get everybody looking the same direction, not blinking, and acting like they like each other. When you're all gussied up to this degree, a rug check -- to ensure there are no competing patterns -- is a must.

DO: Dress Appropriately for Your Trash-the-Dress Session
Sorry, your royal highness, we couldn't resist. If Victoria trashed her dress, we have yet to hear about it. And besides, doesn't it get embalmed in a museum or something? This is actually a shot from her military training, but nobody's ever made "Army/Navy" look this chic.


Carrie Sloan is the editor of Lemondrop. She got married in a barn.