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Everything we know so far about Pippa Middleton’s May wedding

Get the scoop on Pippa Middleton's upcoming nuptials.
By Hello! Magazine
Photo by Rex Features Photo by Rex Features

Pippa Middleton has already served as the world's most famous bridesmaid back at the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's 2011 royal wedding. But now the Heartfelt cookbook author is preparing to walk down the aisle to her own groom, James Matthews.

Pippa's ceremony will see crowds turn out to witness the arrival of famous guests, foremost among them, Prince William and Kate and their two children Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

The bride, 33, has enlisted respected PR guru Jo Milloy, whose glittering client list includes Victoria Beckham, to help in the run up to her big day. Below, everything you need to know about Pippa's May nuptials.

Pippa Middleton wedding

Bachelorette party

Girls just want to have fun! Pippa was joined by her older sister Kate for her “hen do.” The sisters reportedly celebrated with a low-key skiing trip in March flying on a private jet (paid for by their parents Carole and Michael Middleton) to Meribel, France. A friend of the bride-to-be told the Sun: “Pippa loves skiing so it was her first choice for a hen weekend. They stayed in a really exclusive catered chalet with maids and a chef, who ensured that they were totally spoilt. The owners also wanted to impress their royal guests so the girls were showered with gifts. They were given Swatch watches, Ugg slippers, leather-bound notebooks and bespoke fragrances. It was a very small, private party and they had an amazing time.”

Everything we know so far about Pippa Middleton’s May weddingPhoto by Rex Features

The officiant

For their big day, Pippa and James have asked Rev. Nick Wynne-Jones to officiate the ceremony. Rev. Nick is the resident priest at St. Mark’s and was seen greeting Pippa and James after the Middleton family attended Christmas Day service in 2016.

Everything we know so far about Pippa Middleton’s May weddingPhoto by Zak Hussein/SilverHub/REX/Shutterstock

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PR powerhouse

When it comes to handling the public relations side of things, the bride-to-be has enlisted the help of Victoria Beckham’s go-to gal and good friend, Jo Milloy. For the last 12 years, Jo has worked with the former Spice Girls singer in her transition from international pop superstar to respected designer.

Everything we know so far about Pippa Middleton’s May weddingPhoto by Beretta/Sims/REX/Shutterstock

Royal wedding party

Speculation has been rife that Prince George and Princess Charlotte will play starring roles. And now it has been confirmed that the young royals will indeed take centre stage. George, who turns four in July, will act as a page boy, while Charlotte, who will have just turned two, will be a bridesmaid. It is believed that Kate, 35, will play a pivotal role on the day, but she will most likely not be the maid of honour. Used to public speaking, she may do a reading during the service.

Everything we know so far about Pippa Middleton’s May weddingPhoto by Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press

Save-the-date and invitations

In the spirit of keeping the details low-key, Pippa and James’s guests received their save the date invites inside of their Christmas cards. Though it is unknown if the official wedding notes have been sent out, Pippa has been spotted with her mom Carole at Mount Street Printers, who was awarded a royal Warrant by Prince of Wales in 2011.

Everything we know so far about Pippa Middleton’s May weddingPhoto via The Canadian Press

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The dress designer?

Giles Deacon has been at the top of the list for potential wedding dress designers for Pippa since he was spotted arriving at her house with dresses in November. When it comes to if he has secured the job, Giles remains mum.

“I can never really comment on rumors,” he told HELLO! Fashion while promoting his new Ariel and Giles Deacon Eek! collection. “Until things are confirmed it’s just rumors.”

One thing he did confirm was his approval for Pippa and her big sister Kate’s style. “I think they’ve both got divine style. They’re thoroughly modern girls promoting British brands and looking fantastic.”

Everything we know so far about Pippa Middleton’s May weddingPhoto by Scott Heppell/AP Photo

Date and place

Pippa Middleton will marry her fiancé James Matthews in a romantic ceremony on Saturday, May 20, 2017 surrounded by her close family, HELLO! has learned. The society wedding will take place at St Mark’s Church in Englefield, Berkshire with the reception taking place back at the Middleton’s family home in Bucklebury, seven miles away.

A source told HELLO! that the Duchess of Cambridge’s sister chose the church, which dates back to the 13th century, because it is both pretty and discreet, with one saying: “Pippa is a traditional girl and wanted to marry close to home. There is no particular significance with May 20 – it is just the date that they have decided on.”

Everything we know so far about Pippa Middleton’s May weddingPhoto by REX

The engaged couple

The pair publicly debuted their relationship in July 2016 at Wimbledon – though they were an item long before their courtside date. Pippa and James previously dated in 2012 before rekindling their romance at the end of 2015.

Everything we know so far about Pippa Middleton’s May weddingPhoto by Ray Tang/LNP/REX/Shutterstock

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The bride

Pippa, born on September 6, 1983, to Carole and Michael Middleton, is the Duchess of Cambridge’s younger sister. The party planner was launched into the international spotlight after serving as the maid of honour at Kate’s royal wedding in 2011. Since the news of her engagement to millionaire James came to light, the bride-to-be has found herself at the center of the world’s attention, yet again.

Everything we know so far about Pippa Middleton’s May weddingPhoto by Alastair Grant/AP Photo

The groom

Like his fiancée, James also shares a love for sports. The wealthy businessman, born on August 21, 1975, has competed in various athletic challenges with Pippa. When he’s not cycling or running, reality star Spencer Matthews’ brother serves as the chief executive officer for the Eden Rock Capital Management Group, which he co-founded.

Everything we know so far about Pippa Middleton’s May weddingPhoto by Drew Angerer/EPA

The engagement – and ring!

A close friend of the bride-to-be confirmed the pair’s engagement to HELLO! in July. After news broke, the newly-engaged pair released a joint statement saying, “Miss Pippa Middleton and Mr James Matthews are delighted to announce they became engaged on Sunday, July 17 and plan to marry next year.”

The hedge fund manager James Matthews popped the question to Prince George’s aunt during a romantic getaway with a dazzling Art Deco-inspired Asscher cut diamond. The stunning piece of jewelry reportedly cost about $263,000. Following her engagement news, the socialite admitted, “[I] couldn’t be happier.”

Everything we know so far about Pippa Middleton’s May weddingPhoto by Beretta/Sims/REX/Shutterstock

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Royals react

No one was happier about Pippa’s engagement than her own family. The British Heart Foundation Ambassador’s older sister and brother-in-law expressed their joy in a statement via a Kensington Palace spokesperson that said, “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are absolutely delighted with the news.”

Everything we know so far about Pippa Middleton’s May weddingPhoto by Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press

Parents of the bride

Michael and Carole Middleton were “thrilled” over their daughter’s engagement.

Proud dad Michael added, “They make a wonderful couple and we wish them every happiness together.”

As he did with Kate, Michael is expected to walk Pippa down the aisle. The Middleton patriarch was a source of strength and reassurance for the Duchess during her 2011 wedding telling Kate, “You look beautiful. It will all be amazing. You’ll be fine… I’m proud of you.”

Everything we know so far about Pippa Middleton’s May weddingPhoto by Ikon Pictures Ltd./Rex Features

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