zara phillips wedding: July 2011

He's known for his love of enjoying a good party and it looks as though Mike Tindall had the time of his life after marrying Zara Phillips.

The England rugby star wore the same grey trousers and blue collared shirt he did the day before and looked as though he hadn't slept a wink.

Zara, who arrived separately from her husband, looked radiant in white jeans, flip flops and a beige sleeveless top.

The newlyweds departed from the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh this afternoon in a chauffeur-driven silver Mercedes.

But instead of heading off on honeymoon, the sporting couple are postponing their break and preparing for a return to training this week.

Former equestrian world champion Zara, 30, will be competing in the Gatcombe Park horse trials later this week and England rugby star Tindall, 32, is likely to feature in a match against Wales next Saturday.

Ahead of the couple's departure other members of the royal family, including Prince Harry, the Duke of York and Zara's mother the Princess Royal were also seen leaving the palace.

The Queen and Prince Philip left by helicopter and were taken to Balmoral Castle to begin their summer holiday.

Prince Charles and the Duchess or Cornwall are thought to have left before them and headed for the Caslte of Mey.

The couple have been determined to keep their wedding a private family occasion, but the crowds have been equally determined to share in their happiness during the first Royal wedding to be held in Scotland in 20 years.

Many frantically waved Union Jacks and the Scottish Saltire as the couple emerged from the ceremony shortly before 4pm yesterday, filling the air with cheers. Some, clearly touched by the splendour of the occasion, dabbed their eyes.

Zara dazzled the crowds in her full-length ivory silk gown with silk tulle detail, designed by the Queen’s favourite couturier Stewart Parvin.

The one-time Royal rebel, who proudly sported a tongue ring, looked every inch the traditional bride and this was her chance to be a princess for a day.

Her blonde hair was pulled back into an elegant chignon and she wore a sparkling diamond tiara lent by her mother, she looked effortlessly beautiful.

Zara, 30, was accompanied to the church by her proud father Captain Mark Phillips after earlier leaving in a Bentley from the Palace of Holyroodhouse several hundred yards down the Royal Mile.

The 45-minute ceremony was conducted by Canongate's resident Minister Reverend Neil Gardner. A choir of 15 boys and girls from Zara's old Scottish boarding school sang during the ceremony.

The happy couple then left the Kirk in a Bentley for the 400-yard journey to Holyroodhouse for the reception.

A grand marquee was erected in a piazza of the palace and loud whoops and cheers could be heard from behind the palace walls.

Dinner had a Scottish theme and included lobster and crayfish cocktail, Scottish venison with dauphinois potatoes and chocolate fondant with strawberries.

Wedding guests included famous names from the world of rugby such as England's coach Martin Johnson, his predecessor Sir Clive Woodward and Scotland's coach Andy Robinson.
Tindall also invited Lawrence Dallaglio and Jonny Wilkinson - former teammates who, like the groom, were part of England's World Cup-winning squad of 2003.

A touch of glamour was added by some famous women from sport and entertainment - skeleton racer Amy Williams, television presenter Kirsty Gallacher, Una Healy, a singer with girl group The Saturdays and Coronation Street star Katherine Kelly.

The party was organised by Peregrine Armstrong Jones of party planners Bentley.