PIPPA PLANS FOR GLASTO WEDDING Yurts and burger vans as part of f estival-themed big day
STEVIE Wonder led the A-list guests flying in for golf champ Rory McIlroy’s £200,000 wedding at a castle in Ireland yesterday. The Motown legend agreed to perform with an 18-piece band at the reception because bride Erica Stoll, 29, is a Wonder fan. Also among the 160 people invited were fellow musicians Niall Horan, Ed Sheeran and Coldplay’s Chris Martin. Guests were flown in by a helicopter to Ashford Castle in Co Mayo to celebrate the nuptials of the four-time golf Majors winner, 27.
Wonder, 66, popped into a phone shop the day before, posed for snaps and delighted one staffer with an introduction.
He was served at the Galway store by Eoin Healy, who revealed: “I was taking no notice then the person he was with said, ‘This is Stevie and he’s looking to buy a few things.’
“Then it just hit me and I was like, ‘Oh my God, it’s Stevie Wonder.’”
After his performance, it is thought the couple enjoyed a £50,000 fireworks display. PARTY planner Pippa Middleton aims to glamp it up on her wedding day – with a bash modelled on Glastonbury.
The Duchess of Cambridge’s sister is said to be putting together a relaxed event “in the style of a music festival” and is having yurts erected for guests to stay over.
Stalls offering treats such as fish and chips will also be set up in the grounds of the family’s £6million manor house in Bucklebury, Bucks, along with a 1950s-style burger van.
And Pippa – best-known for her stunningly pert appearance at Kate’s 2011 wedding to Prince William – has lined up a second, more informal dress for letting her hair down after her ceremony with fiancé James Matthews.
A source close to the event said: “Pippa wants the evening to be a relaxed affair and in the style of a music festival.
“She’s going to have a burger van set up and one of the sets of nibbles will be fish and chips.
“She and James love a party and this is going to be one to remember. Pippa has also lined up another dress that she can slip into which is more informal and much more practical for dancing.”
Day guests will enjoy a three-course meal in a marquee in the grounds of Michael and Carole Middleton’s Grade II-listed Georgian pile, which they bought in 2012.
Pippa, who has published her own party planning guide, will tie the knot with hedge fund manager James, 40, at St Mark’s Church in Englefield, Berks.
It is the church where Kate and William and children George and Charlotte joined the Middletons on Christmas Day.
The Rev Nick Wynne- Jones is likely to officiate and there will be readings in front of 150 well-wishers.
More guests are expected at the reception and stars including tennis ace Roger Federer and TV star Ben Fogle will be among them.
Pippa’s brother James and girlfriend Donna Air will be there, along with uncle Gary Goldsmith.
The groom’s brother – Spencer of I’m A Celeb and Made in Chelsea fame – is understood to be best man. And Pippa’s one-year-old niece Charlotte and nephew George, three, are expected to be a flower girl and page boy.
Pippa is said to favour a lace design with full skirt – a completely different look to the slinky bridesmaid dress she wowed audiences in when Kate tied the knot.