We all – 1.9 billion of us – spent Saturday cooing, laughing, occasionally shedding a tear, and feeling incredibly patriotic as we watched Prince Harry and Meghan Markle become husband and wife.

It was a momentous occasion on all fronts. The wedding celebrated the first time a self-identifying person of colour married into the British royal family, Meghan led herself down the aisle in an unprecedented statement of female empowerment, and the new Duchess of Sussex blew us all away with not one but two incredible dresses.

While we (sadly) won’t be able to relive this historic day for the rest of the summer, there are definitely a few key takeaways from the big day that are going to influence the way we take on occasion wear for the rest of the year. 

It might be an obvious one, but if there was one lesson we learnt from the royal wedding it was to ditch the monochrome in favour of bright, joyful colour. 

Take note from Amal Clooney who literally brought sunshine to the wedding in a canary yellow Stella McCartney number, or opt for lilac –  the colour du jour – like Priyanka Chopra. 

If brights aren’t your bag then look to blush pink, which was the most popular neutral colour at the wedding. Oprah Winfrey, Serena Williams, Chloe Madeley and Julia Carey all sported various takes on the shade, upping their looks with a strong accessories game.

Meghan debuted what will undoubtedly be the chicest wedding hair style of 2018: the ‘messy bun’. This isn’t the same bun you try and recreate at 7am when washing your face (believe me – I’ve already tried). This one takes a certain amount of effort, needs to frame the face and requires about 100 hair pins. But on the plus side, it’s very much achievable without a salon stylist – win.

The guests at Harry and Meghan’s wedding had a considerable walk between arriving and entering the chapel – a walk that was no mean feat (pun intended) for those in heels. So make like Serena Williams and pair your evening dress with trainers. Genius. If guests can do it at the royal wedding, there is absolutely no excuse for you suffer in silence.

Polka dot dresses have had many an iconic moment, worn on everyone from Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman to Marilyn Monroe at the Miss America pageant. We can now add Abigail Spencer to that list. 

The actress (otherwise known as Dana ‘Scottie’ Scott in Suits) took on a spectacular spotty number by Alessandra Rich, cementing the polka dot as the print of ss/18 and the answer to all your occasion wear dressing woes. 

Attendees were required to wear hats to the royal wedding, but we still felt inspired. Whether guests donned a polite fascinator or a headwear masterpiece that potentially restricted the view of fellow wedding-goers, there is something to be said for elevating your accessories game to hat level.

For easy entrance into the trend take inspiration from Lady Kitty Spencer, Sarah Raffety and Amal Clooney, who all opted for hats with small, netted veils attached. Very chic. 

Images: Getty / Instagram