Friday, April 29, 2011

Receptions Near and Far


Hasn't it been an exhilarating and exhausting day!?  The excitement really began to build yesterday with The Heiress and I blowing up balloon bouquets in red, white and blue, and stringing up handmade bunting.  Deciding we needed to have scones on hand we quickly whipped up a batch before getting off to bed.

Waking up at 3:15 am, I tried to get back to sleep but the draw of fancy hats and strange hats, the likes of which we rarely see here, proved irresistible.  Dashing downstairs to plug in the kettle, pop down some toast and dig out the marmalade, I settled down to watch the fashion parade and the ceremony.  The Heiress made her appearance at a respectable 4:30 am.  It was everything we hoped it would be and very romantic, Prince William and Catherine looked so in love and unbelievably relaxed.  The two of them driving along the Mall in Prince Charles's vintage Aston Martin was lovely to see, the royal factor dissipated during that moment.

The kisses on the balcony over, it was time to dash off to the library where my lovely colleagues were hosting a Royal tea.  Fancy sandwiches, scones, lots of tea and decorations made the staff room party central while we dished about every detail of the wedding while wearing our tiaras, like you do.  It was a day to remember and I just love it when a happy event brings family, friends, countries and communities together to celebrate.

As stories about the wedding were reported around the world and more photos emerged I spied this one of Fiona Cairns with the gorgeous wedding cake she created.  Of everything else that went on today I think getting THAT cake delivered in the state it was intended must have been one of the most nerve-wracking tasks of all.

Well done, everyone.  It was a wonderful day and here's to an early night.

11 comments:

  1. Sounds like a lovely way to celebrate the day! My mother and I woke up at two o'clock to watch and I was so happy that I got to share all of the excitement and happiness of the day with her! Except then she got to go back to bed and I went off to work...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh my goodness, I really have been astounded by how people from all the way across the globe have taken this event into their hearts. Most of my friends and colleagues had a ‘couldn’t care less’ attitude about the wedding, so it is so great to see that there are people that care about this lovely event and who got up at ridiculously early times just to watch the wedding. I went to Trafalgar Square to watch the event on the big screens that they put up, and the atmosphere was electric at points. An unforgettable day!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I watched it but only the pre church and the actual ceremony as it was in the middle of the office day! our time 2.30 pm. I am sure though one of the channels will do a rehash of everything and I will look at it again.

    You have had a wonderful celebration.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I was so happy when I found it was being televised on BBC America with British commentators. Somehow it seemed much more the way I imagined it should have been described. The New York Times ran an article yesterday which contrasted the British point of view with the American. Apparently the American networks focused on love and passion, and found the Kiss disappointingly platonic. BBCA focused on tradition and happiness and felt the Kiss was appropriate, and in the tradition of past Kisses.

    Anyway, it was a lovely wedding, and the chance to share it with friends and blog friends around the world was great.

    Barbara M.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Claire, What a good sport you are, bet the pillow felt terrific last night!

    A Bookish Space, Your post was wonderful about the day, you had me at taking the tube to Charing Cross! I really need to get back to London soon. So many of us here in Canada love the 'royal' atmosphere minus the politics.

    Mystica, I thought of you when an email was read out from a well-wisher in Sri Lanka! Hope you enjoyed the rehash.

    Barbara, There was no question...we watched the coverage from the BBC and far prefer the less sensational approach. Glad you had a lovely time watching and sharing, thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I was watching it from my computer screen at work - luckily we were quiet and my colleague, a young bloke was really not interested though he put up with my running commentary very kindly. What a global event it was!! But really, just a dress rehearsal for my wedding :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a brilliant way to celebrate! Such a fun sounding day. That cake is amazing!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Glad you over there in the USA (and elsewhere) enjoyed our little party over here in the UK! We don't get everything right these days, but we certainly know how to put on a bit of pomp and circumstance when it's required. Seriously, I thought everything was sublime, the music, the trees in the Abbey, the dress, the bouquet, William's scarlet tunic, the dear little bridesmaids and pages, the matron of honour in her elegant gown ... all except those Two Princesses in the most frightful hats. Do they not have a mirror in their home? Maybe they need to go to Specsavers?
    Margaret P

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm afraid all I caught were the "I do's" when I turned on the TV as I was getting ready for work. I've seen highlights through the wonder of the internet. That's quite a cake, isn't it? Almost too pretty to eat! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. verity, Thank goodness for live streaming on computers! Your wedding will be a global event as well with blog friends from all over thinking of you on your special day.

    skirmishofwit, Reading your Mum's post about the wedding day I would say a fabulous time was had at yours as well!

    galant, I couldn't agree more. The whole day seemed to be the perfect mixture of sophistication and celebration. As for B&E, they prove every family has one...or in this case, two.

    Danielle, No doubt there will be a dvd if you want to see every last bit of footage. And to imagine that cake as a scrap heap of crumbs is just too sad isn't it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. It was a wonderful wedding and well worth getting up in the wee hours of the night to watch. May they enjoy true happiness.

    ReplyDelete