Hidden details in Zara and Mike Tindall’s wedding – best man’s black eye to vodka fountain
Zara and Mike Tindall will be celebrating their 13th wedding anniversary on 30th July. These are the personal touches Zara and Mike added to their special day.
From black eyes to vodka flowing fountains, Zara and Mike Tindall’s wedding was a memorable occasion (Image: Getty)
July 30th will mark 13 years since the Queen’s granddaughter, Zara, married rugby star Mike Tindall.
The Royal couple, who began dating after meeting during England’s Rugby World Cup campaign in Australia in 2003, wowed the crowd when they decided to tie knot at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh in July 2011.
Their wedding came just three months after Prince William and Kate Middleton’s extravagant ceremony at Westminster Abbey, which was watched by an audience of over 36 million people.
Renowned for their love of partying, Zara and Mike wed in a smaller, more intimate ceremony before enjoying a lively reception at the Queen’s official Scottish residence of the Palace of Holyroodhouse
This Royal couple wanted to do things differently for their wedding, and they certainly did. Here are a few hidden moments you may have missed the first time:
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The reception had a vodka fountain and shots
Instead of the traditional chocolate fountain, Zara and Mike opted for something more unconventional instead: a vodka fountain.
Sources claimed that at 10:30pm during the evening party, attendees took to the dancefloor, picked up shot glasses, and filled them with alcohol before knocking them back.
One Royal Source said at the time: “It was just a family knees-up. Your archetypal wedding, really. Except with a lot of royals and rugby players.
And a lot of drinking. In fact make that a hell of a lot of drinking.”
Zara’s Something Blue was very “unroyal”
It is a common tradition for brides to wear “something blue” on their big day. While Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton had pieces of blue fabric stitched into their dresses, in a conversation with The Times, Zara disclosed that her “something blue” was her “electric blue” pedicure.
Although her toes were not on display to the world or her wedding guests, this striking move was bold, as bright nail polish is not typically seen on members of the Royal Family.
The best man had a black eye
Former rugby star Mike asked fellow player Iain Balshaw to be his best man for his wedding. However, onlookers were a little stunned to see him sporting a black eye with cuts and scratches on the big day.
Surprisingly, he hadn’t sustained his injury from a rugby match but rather from a moped accident in France just a week before the wedding.
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Zara Tindall and Mike leave the church on wedding day in 2011
Despite their bold and unique choices, it has also been revealed that Zara and Mike were aiming for something far more understated than prior Royal weddings.
Nikita Thorne, Head of Strategy at wedding directory Guides For Brides, explains how the nuptials offered a more relaxed and relatable approach compared to previous Royal weddings.
Nikita shared: “Zara and Mike Tindall’s wedding was a refreshing departure from traditional Royal nuptials. While not official members of the Royal family, their wedding beautifully reflected their personalities and relationship.
“From vodka shots to Zara’s family ties with Scotland, the celebrations helped offer a unique insight into their relationship and individual personalities.”
Nikita noted that their approachable and relatable celebration changed the course of typical weddings within the monarchy, offering a more “down-to-earth feel”.
“Instead of the usual extravagance of Royal events, they opted to keep things fun and personal, which made their day feel genuine and heartfelt.
“Overall, the wedding helped highlight the importance of celebrating love and commitment above all else. By prioritising personal touches over traditional luxury, Zara and Mike set a new standard of relatability and authenticity. This is still apparent between the couple until this day.”
