THERE are few obvious similarities between the royal wedding and the one I’m currently organising for myself and my partner.

The budgets are pretty different, for a start. The new Earl and Countess of Dumbarton reputedly spend £32m on their nuptials; my penniless artist fiancé and I are thinking more in the region of £3200. But what’s a few decimal points, eh?

Then there’s the guestlist. Where Harry and Meghan invited 600 folk to Windsor to share their big day, our rather more intimate affair will comprise 15 close friends and family. And I doubt I’ll get a fanfare from the Household Cavalry.

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Despite this – and despite being a confirmed Republican - as I watched Saturday’s glittering extravaganza with my mother I was genuinely surprised by the number of handy hints and tips I picked up for my own wedding this summer, and the number of occasions I found myself jotting down notes and ideas.

Indeed, since my forthcoming marriage is also a transatlantic union – my beloved comes from Arkansas via Memphis – I couldn’t help but be struck by the similarities between us and the Dumbartons/Sussexes, though I don’t suppose the immigration process will be as stressful for them as it is for mere mortals like us.

Anyway, for what it’s worth, and for other soon-to-be brides and grooms out there, here are a few of the suggestions I picked up from Harry and Meghan’s ceremony:

Get your music right

As the voices of the Kingdom Gospel choir soared through St George’s Chapel, only the hardest of hearts could not have been moved by their stunning arrangement of Ben E King’s beautiful, stirring Stand By Me. Another highlight was the cello performance by classical superstar in the making Sheku Kanneh-Mason. (If you are reading this and available in July, could I get a discount if I book both of you?) Music is hugely important in my own life and seeing the impact it made on the ceremony in Windsor prompted me to think again about my own choices. And instead of plumping for tracks that are pleasant but maybe a little bit anodyne, I’ve decided to take the royal lead (there’s a first time for everything)and go straight for the heart and soul.

Represent your different personalities – and cultures

Meghan clearly felt it was important to reflect her African-American heritage throughout the ceremony, perhaps especially so because she was getting married in another country. My wedding is in Memphis and the city’s extraordinary musical legacy will be reflected during our day. We’ll also be eating lots of soul food. But the royal nuptials, with their deft mixing of cultures, highlighted the importance of having a strong Scottish element, too. I don’t think I’ll go down the tartan and piper road, but Robert Burns and Edwin Morgan will now feature.

Try and get a top performer in for the ceremony

American Bishop Michael Curry certainly wowed the congregation in Windsor (some more than others if the look on Prince Phillip’s face was anything to go by). His evangelical sermon, delivered with the sort of exuberance, gusto and verve so associated with African-American churches, was one of the most unexpected elements of the wedding, especially since the supreme governor of the Church of England – surely one of the dullest denominations on earth – was sitting just a few pews away. Maybe I need a showstopper preacher to shake things up at my ceremony? Well, singer Al Green (himself a Reverend) famously runs a church just a few blocks away from our venue in Memphis. Al, could you pop in and do the honours, please? There’s a rack of ribs in it for you...

You can do the walking down the aisle bit any way you like

In common with Meghan, I won’t have my father to walk me down the aisle - my dear dad died many years ago. And since I’m also getting married in a chapel – though admittedly mine is concrete purpose-built wedding chapel that costs $220 to hire rather than a 14th century monument to monarchy – there is an aisle to negotiate. I had previously decided to do it on my own, mostly out of convenience. After watching Meghan do her solo walk down the aisle before being joined by Prince Charles, however, I’ve changed my mind and asked my oldest friend to walk with me. After all, as another great soul singer once said, we all need somebody to lean on, right?

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Good weather makes all the difference

Gosh, didn’t it make everything so wonderfully light and sparkly to have the sun shine on Windsor? One thing I can probably rely on in Memphis in July is a sunny day for my nuptials, though temperatures are likely to be in the region of 35 degrees Celsius and scarily humid. Meghan didn’t need a brow-mopper on the day, but I most certainly I will.

To be fair, I’d abolish the Windsors tomorrow. But I don’t mind admitting I picked up a fair few tips from Harry and Meghan at the weekend. And for that I raise a glass to them...just this once.