Zara Phillips

Zara Phillips had a huge smile on her face yesterday when she left Edinburgh's Canongate Kirk with her new husband, Mike Tindall. The couple was surrounded by friends and family on their big day, including her royal relatives Prince William and Kate Middleton. Mike and Zara were off for their reception with 300 friends and family members. She's among the first of the queen's relations to decide to keep her last name — Zara will continue to use Phillips because of the success she's achieved as an equestrian. There's no immediate honeymoon planned for Mike and Zara either, as he's due to be back with his rugby squad tomorrow.

After their royal yacht party yesterday, the queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips married rugby player Mike Tindall today at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, Scotland. The independant Zara, who's an equestrian and fashion designer, will keep her maiden name, and she looked radiant in a Stewart Parvin frock and tiara from her mother, Princess Anne. See sweet moments from their wedding between the happy newlyweds and their royal guests, which included her first cousin Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry, and princesses Eugenie and Beatrice.

Zara Phillips arrived for her wedding to Mike Tindall this afternoon at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, Scotland. She was escorted into the church by her father, Mark Phillips, as her family, including Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry, Princess Eugenie, and Princess Beatrice, waited inside. Zara kicked off her ceremony yesterday with cocktails on the royal yacht Britannia, wearing a dress from Alice and Olivia. Today, as expected, Zara wore a gown from Stewart Parvin and a tiara from her mother. The ornate headpiece is referred to as the Greek key tiara. Zara will keep her maiden name and not use Tindall, a decision apparently reached because of her fame as an equestrian. The party will take place at Holyroodhouse Palace, the queen's Scottish residence, and will last until 2 a.m. Zara revealed recently that each of her 300 guests will have a small cake at their place setting, which can be taken home as the favor. Congrats to Zara and Mike!

Prince William and Kate Middleton, aka the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, were joined by other British royal family members Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Eugenie on the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh, Scotland, to celebrate tomorrow's wedding between Zara Phillips and rugby player Mike Tindall. Zara, who's the Queen's granddaughter although she doesn't hold a title, and her fiancé are said to be throwing a "low-key" wedding, but this pre-big-day cocktail soiree looks quite extravagant.

I know of couples who have thrown fancy rehearsal dinners for out-of-towners, and even for the entire guest list, the night before the wedding. Although it's fun for the guests, it can get pricey, and you run the risk of the party outshining the actual ceremony (not to mention hungover guests!). What do you think of big parties before the big day?

Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, boarded the royal yacht Britannia, which was docked in Edinburgh, this afternoon in order to celebrate his first cousin Zara Phillips's wedding with a cocktail party! Kate recycled the green Diane von Furstenberg dress she wore during her visit to LA earlier this month. Prince Harry was also in attendance, and he was spotted ascending the same carpeted stairs that the bride and her husband-to-be, Mike Tindall, walked up. Zara was decked out in a dress from Alice and Olivia. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie also colorfully turned out, along with the elder's boyfriend, Dave Clark. Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall will marry tomorrow at the city's Canongate Kirk, and her royal relatives will be out in full force. Kate and William often go by their titles of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, but their Scottish equivalents are the Earl and Countess of Strathearn. Scotland is a special place for the couple, as it's where they met and fell in love while students at the University of St. Andrews. Wales, though, has been their home as of late, as it's where William works with the Royal Air Force when not traveling with Kate for family obligations.

Prince William's first cousin Zara Phillips left Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, Scotland, this morning with her fiancé, Mike Tindall. Mike and Zara announced their plans to wed last December, after they started dating in 2003. The couple bonded over a shared love of sports — Zara is an accomplished equestrian, and Mike is an internationally known rugby player. The couple are due to tie the knot tomorrow in a ceremony that will bring out many of her royal relatives. Zara's grandmother Queen Elizabeth and mother, Princess Anne, will be there. Zara's father, Captain Mark Phillips, who split up with Anne in 1992, is to watch his daughter wed alongside his second wife, Sandy Pflueger. Prince William will attend along with his wife, Kate Middleton. Kate and William's Scottish titles, the Earl and Countess of Strathearn, will be used while they're in the Northern region of the UK.

The fun is expected to commence tonight, when many of the younger family members are invited to a party on a yacht. Zara has been prepping for her own big day at the city's Balmoral hotel with her brother Peter's wife, Autumn, who is Canadian. Rumors suggest that Zara, who doesn't use a royal title due to a decision of Anne's, will wear a gown from the London-based designer Stewart Parvin. The coverage of Zara and Mike's nuptials isn't supposed to be a public event, and the queen told Zara and Mike recently that she forbid them from selling photos to Hello magazine. Nonetheless, we're excited to see the whole royal clan dress up for tomorrow's festivities!

Prince Harry partied with friends at the Wireless Festival in Hyde Park yesterday. He hung out with his cousin Zara Phillips, who is getting married to rugby player Mike Tindall at the end of the month. The Black Eyed Peas kicked off the weekend event with a rocking performance, and The Chemical Brothers took the main stage today. Harry is hanging in England while his brother, Prince William, and Kate Middleton are touring Canada. The couple landed in North America on Thursday and have been on the go ever since. Kate Middleton celebrated Canada Day in a gorgeous white dress and red fascinator on Friday, and this afternoon Prince William and Kate Middleton followed royal tradition by planting a symbolic Eastern Hemlock in Ottawa. The location of the tree was special to William since it was close to the Pin Oak that his parents planted almost 30 years ago.

Prince Harry changed into casual clothes after a polo match in Tetbury, England, yesterday. He hung out on the field with friends and family, including his cousin Zara Phillips and her fiancé Mike Tindall. The couple are set to be married in Edinburgh on July 30, and Mike has already enjoyed his wild bachelor party in Miami. Harry has made it clear that he has no plans to wed anytime soon, instead focusing on his royal duties and favorite sporting events. He and Prince William went head to head for a polo game and also dressed up to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's birthday earlier this month.