The countdown to the royal wedding started several days before the event, but things really got exciting when mother of the bride Carole Middleton and son James Middleton (Kate's younger brother) arrived at Westminster Abbey. Their arrival was followed by the rest of the VIP guests... and we've got pictures to prove it. Follow the jump to see the entire royal wedding in pictures.

Princes William and Harry arrived in full military dress, pausing to shake hands and greet guests as they walked up the aisle.

Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Phillip, arrive.

Kate Middleton arrives with her father John Middleton.

The wide, clear windows of the car allowed the throngs of watchers on the streets to watch her as she traveled to Westminster Abbey.

Kate gets assistance from sister and Maid of Honor Pippa Middleton. Both women are dressed in gowns designed by Sarah Burton of the Alexander McQueen fashion house.

Kate's gown has an 8-foot train. It's made of ivory and white satin. The long veil is ivory silk tulle with hand-embroidered flowers.

Kate did her own make-up for her big day and had extensions put in her hair to give it more volume. Breaking with tradition, Kate wore her hair down for the wedding. She's wearing the Halo tiara, made by Cartier in 1936. The earrings were gifts from her parents.

The couple knelt for a prayer during the ceremony.

Prince William smiled at his bride as she delivered the wedding vows.

An anthem, specially written for the couple, was performed after the ceremony.

The guests and the newly-wedding couple sang along to a joyous hymn.

Kate's brother James Middleton read a passage from Romans.

The couple was led out by a formal procession back down the aisle.

Kate's bouquet contains sweet William, lily of the valley, hyacinth and a sprig of myrtle from Queen Victoria's garden. Victoria used a sprig of myrtle in her own wedding bouquet for good luck. It has since become a royal wedding tradition.

A fairy tale carriage escorted them to Buckingham Palace from the Abbey.

Carole Middleton, Queen Elizabeth and Camilla, wife to Prince Charles, chatted together after the wedding. Camilla, Duchess of Cornwell, is wearing a frock from Anna Valentine. The Queen is in Angela Kelly, wearing a true lover's knot brooch that originally belonged to Queen Mary.

Watching crowds cheered and clapped as the royal couple made their way to their celebratory wedding breakfast.