Where is St Mark’s Church in Berkshire and why did Pippa Middleton and James Matthews choose to have their wedding there?
ST MARK'S Church was the backdrop of the wedding of the year when Pippa Middleton wed James Matthews.
But what do we know about the small and quaint venue of St Mark's Church that was chosen for Pippa Middleton's wedding?
Where is St Mark’s Church?
The idyllic church is located on a private estate in Englefield, Berkshire.
With its gothic stained glass windows to its stunning embellished alter, it's a picture perfect location for the couple to tie the knot.
Resident priest the Reverend Nick Wynee-Jones will officiate the marriage at the venue, which was extensively restored by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1857.
It's thought that there was 150 guests in attendance at the intimate and historic church, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge themselves.
Some estimates say that there may even be more guests than expected, as the building capacity is 350.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte played star roles in the ceremony as bridesmaid and page boy.
Where are Pippa Middleton and James Matthews having their reception?
The reception wass being held at her parents’ £6million home in nearby Bucklebury, Berks.
The wedding reception was said to be a Scottish-themed affair with plenty of tartan in a nod to the groom’s Scottish heritage.
It was predicted guests enjoyed haggis canapes, bagpipes and whisky galore.
Pippa, 33, selected the menu, which includes lamb plus recipes from her own cookery book.
A wealthy Russian pal is understood to have donated eight kilos of beluga caviar worth £40,000.
Pippa even hand-picked the waiting staff from photos so they look the part.
Pippa wowed guests with a Spitfire display that took take place in the skies over the reception.
The couple splashed out an estimated £100,000 on a 140ft glass marquee for their guests.
The pair met in 2006 on the Caribbean island of St Barts and had an on-off relationship before they became a steady couple in 2014.
James, 40, popped the question to Pippa in July – less than a year into their relationship – and proposed with a hefty octagonal diamond ring, which comes with a central 4 carat Asscher-cut diamond stone.
Why did Pippa Middleton and James Matthews get married there?
For her wedding venue, Pippa opted for somewhere close to her family home and her childhood.
The church is located just six miles from Bucklebury, where the Middleton kids were raised.
Locals hoping to sneak in the back to the watch the ceremony aren’t in luck, as the church is situated on private land owned by Conservative MP Richard Benyon, who is friends with Pippa’s mum, Carole.
It was certainly a more intimate affair than Pippa's sister Kate's wedding in 2011, with the Duchess saying her vows in front of 1,900 guests at Westminster Abbey, with millions tuning in on TV.
Bride-to-be Pippa Middleton was pictured with her parents visiting the village church three weeks before the big day.
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