One of Queen Elizabeth’s Grandchildren Had a Wild Wedding With a Fountain of Vodka Shots, a Best Man With a Black Eye, and More
Most royal weddings are grand, proper, storybook-like affairs. But not every family member cares to play by those rules and would rather shake things up a bit. This was the case for one of the late Queen Elizabeth II‘s grandchildren who decided they wanted more of a party atmosphere and nothing stuffy on the day they got hitched.
Here’s who had a wedding unlike any other with a best man who showed up with a black eye and a vodka fountain instead of a chocolate fountain so guests could enjoy plenty of shots.
The groom’s best man showed up to the affair with a black eye, cuts, and scratches
When Prince William and then-Kate Middleton tied the knot, Prince Harry was the best man, and some fans noticed him walking with a slight limp as he and William entered Westminster Abbey that day. It was later reported that Harry was at the Goring Hotel for a pre-wedding celebration the night before and when he made his exit, he decided to do so by jumping out of one of the hotel’s balconies. He landed awkwardly on his ankle, which is why he was seen limping at the wedding.
But Harry’s injury wasn’t anywhere near as noticeable as the one Mike Tindall‘s best man had the day he wed Princess Anne’s daughter, Zara.
Queen Elizabeth’s granddaughter and the former rugby player said “I do” on July 30, 2011. But their big day wasn’t your typical royal wedding. The pair did not get married at a famous chapel or a cathedral in England. Instead, they opted to do so in Edinburgh, Scotland at a modest church.
Mike and his groomsmen arrived at the church casually chewing gum, but onlookers were really stunned to see the best man, rugby player Iain Balshaw, sporting a black eye and cuts on his face.
Guides for Brides noted that Balshaw’s badly bruised face was the result of a moped accident in France just a week before Mike and Zara tied the knot.
The reception had a fountain of vodka shots
Nikita Thorne, Head of Strategy at Guides For Brides, spoke about how “party-loving” Mike and Zara’s big day differed from past royal weddings in other ways.
She said their reception offered a more “relaxed and relatable approach” and included a vodka fountain. Royal insiders revealed that at 10:30 p.m., guests picked up shot glasses and filled them with alcohol before knocking them back.
“Zara and Mike Tindall’s wedding was a refreshing departure from traditional royal nuptials … 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.”
Thorne added: “Their approachable and relatable celebration changed the course of typical weddings within the monarchy, offering a down-to-earth feel that is not often associated with royalty. 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 prioritizing 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.”
