Groom arrived with his rugby mates and chewed gum outside the church.
The bride wore an off-the-peg dress, said she would keep her maiden name and promised to honour, not to obey.
As the Queen's grand-daughter, Zara Phillips, married Mike Tindall, the England rugby captain in Edinburgh yesterday, there was none of the high pomp and ceremony that marked the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton in Westminster Abbey in April.
And there was not a politician in sight.
This was a relaxed, modern affair in glorious sunshine, a private wedding for friends at the Canongate Kirk on Edinburgh's Royal Mile.
30 year-old Miss Phillips, once known as the "royal rebel", sprang a surprise when it emerged that she would not take Mr Tindall's name following their marriage.
The decision to keep her maiden name was taken because of her success as a world champion equestrian - and was very much in the spirit of the day.
Miss Phillips, who is 13th in line to the throne, had spent her final night as a single woman partying on the Royal Yacht Britannia with younger guests and stayed at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen's official Scottish residence.
She arrived at the 17th century kirk shortly after 3pm and just five minutes late, in a black Bentley, looking happy and relaxed, and accompanied by her father, Captain Mark Phillips.
As she stepped from the car and waved, smiling, to cheers and warm applause from the crowd of 6,000 who had gathered outside the kirk, the secret of another Royal wedding dress was unveiled.
Miss Phillips had chosen an off-the-peg ivory silk faille and silk duchesse satin gown by Stewart Parvin, a couturier to both the Queen and the Princess Royal.
The dress featured a chevron-pleated bodice, a dropped waist, and a "cathedral-length" train, and was designed to create a "bell-shaped" silhouette.
The dress had a chevron pleated bodice, ending in inverted pleats on a dropped waist, creating a bell-shaped silhouette, and also included a concealed structured corset as well as silk tulle straps that fell into a V-shape at the back.
Zara accessorised the dress with The Meander Tiara, lent to her by mother Princess Anne.
Following the wedding ceremony, Zara and Tindall posed up for photographers outside the church, kissing to the cheers from the excited well-wishers.
The crowd on Edinburgh's Royal Mile had been waiting hours for the bride to arrive, and spontaneously cheered as her car arrived.
Zara's father, Captain Mark Phillips stepped out first and walked round the limousine to meet his daughter who was facing the church.
Her elder brother Peter had earlier been stationed at the entrance of the Kirk, greeting guests in his role as usher. His wife Autumn was also in attendance, wearing an eggshell skirt suit.
Zara briefly waved back to the crowd who were still shouting and cheering at her, before the bride and her father were greeted by the Reverend Neil Gardner. and made their way inside.
Earlier in the day, rugby player Tindall looked the picture of calm as he arrived at the church for his wedding.
The 32-year-old sportsman looked smart in a black jacket, grey pinstriped trousers, a grey waistcoat, white shirt and grey tie, teamed with an ivory buttonhole flower.
Showing no signs of nerves, Tindall smiled and waved as he posed for photographers before making his way into the venue.
Zara's mother Princess Anne was among the first of the royal family members to arrive, and made her way in wearing a floral jacket, red on-trend pleated skirt with her hair swept up in a chic up 'do.
The bride and groom were married by the Reverend Neil Gardner in the 17th Century place of worship that is the official kirk of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
The Queen was the last member of the royal family to arrive before the bride, wearing a smart peach coloured outfit.
Other guests for the nuptials included Coronation Street actress Katherine Kelly, who cut a stunning appearance in a blush coloured dress, orange hat and matching accessories.
Talking recently about how she knows Tindall, Kelly said: 'I went to school in Wakefield with Mike. Our parents live in the same village and we’ve stayed really good mates.'
The Saturdays singer Una Healy, who knows the couple thanks to her partner, rugby player Ben Foden, donned a strapless black and turquoise dress, which she paired with a cream hat and sky-high heels.
Radio and TV presenter Natalie Pinkham wore a pretty red backless dress with a beige hat, while sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher opted for a colourful number with nude shoes.
Sports names including Tindall's teammate Ben Youngs, former rugby union coach Clive Woodward, former rugby player Austin Healey and England manager Martin Johnson were also among the guests, with racing driver Jackie Stewart and Irish jockey AP McCoy also putting in an appearance.
The spectacle had a party atmosphere as the crowd waiting opposite the church cheered and clapped whenever a face they recognised walked into the 17th century church.
And when their view of the guest arriving was obscured by the coaches they jokingly shouted at the drivers to back up.
Another couple who had planned to wed in the Royal Mile church today had to be persuaded to change venues to allow Mike and Zara to use the kirk
Graphic designer Cherith Harrison and her lifeguard fiance Gregg Walter were asked by royal officials if they would move to another setting and agreed.
The event is a major boost for the Scottish capital already full with tourists who have travelled to the city for its world famous arts festival which starts in a few days.
But royal officials stressed the nuptials are a low-key family affair for close relatives and friends of the couple.
Zara Phillips is believed to be setting a royal precedent by not taking the surname of the man she is marrying.
Royal brides have always adopted the name of their spouses following the exchange of wedding vows.
Even when they marry commoners, members of the monarchy adopt the moniker of their partners.
Lady Helen Windsor, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, took on the name of her husband Timothy Taylor when the pair married in 1992.
And when Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones, daughter of Princess Margaret and the Earl of Snowdon, wed Daniel Chatto in 1994 she took on his name.
Zara's decision appears to be based on the fact she wants to preserve her sporting persona and her business interests.
The royal is a former equestrian world champion who is known throughout her chosen sport as Zara Phillips.
In 2003 she became the first royal to accept a sponsorship deal with spread betting company Cantor Index.
She has gone on to sign a number of deals with other businesses which help fund her sporting interests so she also has to maintain a recognisable name for commercial reasons.
