This morning my husband woke me up at 4:00 AM (EST) so that I could watch the royal wedding unfold. I can’t believe it was wedding day already. It seems like just yesterday they announced their engagement. Sadly I fell asleep around 4:45, so I missed a lot of the fanfare and arrivals at the Abbey. I did wake up around 6:00, just in time to watch Kate walk down the aisle with her father.
The wedding it’s self was lovely. I’ve been to Westminster Abbey before, way back in the early 80’s. It’s a beautiful cathedral. I was in awe of it when I was there. Did you know that people are buried in the Abbey and it’s cloisters? There are about 3,300 people buried inside Westminster Abbey including Charles Darwin and Sir Isaac Newton. There are so many people buried in the Abbey that some people are buried standing upright.
Westminster Abbey was originally built in 1065 for King Edward The Confessor. Most of the current building dates from 1245 to 1272 when Henry III wanted to rebuild the Abbey in a more Gothic style. I can’t believe that the cathedral is THAT old. If you ever get a chance to visit London I recommend visiting the Abbey, among other impressive, historical sites.
I’m sorry that I missed Kate’s trip to the Abbey. I’m sure plenty of the new channels will air it over and over again.
Kate made a breathtakingly beautiful bride. I LOVE her dress! I was never fond of Princess Diana’s dress. I thought it was way over the top and a bit gaudy. The train was pretty impressive (although excessive). Some how I knew Kate was going to go for a more modern, yet simple and elegant dress. Seriously, she made a beautiful bride.
Did you know that Kate did her own make up? From what I heard she went for a trial run but didn’t like how they applied her make up. She wanted to look more natural and like herself so she opted to apply her own make up (although she did take some lessons).
I’m glad the wedding ring fit. The ring didn’t seem like it was going to fit when William slipped it on her finger.
The wedding was flawless, from start to finish. I am so very happy for the couple. I know the weather was a concern.
I know many people will quibble about the unnecessary expense the wedding cost the people of England, especially during such difficult economic times. I’m sure if given the opportunity William and Kate would have opted for something more simple. I could easily see them getting married on a beach with just a few family members and close friends. Yes, I agree, the money could have been spend on other things, like helping out the homeless, hungry or even those devastated by recent natural disasters (Japan for intence). But I do agree with others who say that people want to see the fairy tale take place. In a way it was nice to escape reality for a bit and live vicariously through others. Personally it made me wish I was a pretty princess too.
England is rich in history and protocol. There was no way the future king could have an ordinary wedding.
Did you see Kate’s sister Pippa’s dress? I was shocked to see her wearing white like the bride. Her dress was skin tight and had a low cut neckline. It was very sexy for a Maid of Honor dress. Whatever happened to the gaudy colors and layers of tulle. Ha Ha.
I was shocked by Victoria Beckham’s dress. Not only was is black (which is a bit of a no-no for a wedding) but it was an ugly dress. I know she’s pregnant but she didn’t need to being wearing something that resembled a black potato sack. I won’t even get started on her hat. Weird!
Soccer/Football star, David Beckham (Victoria’s husband), looked handsome but he was wearing that medal on the wrong side. He should have worn it on his left side, not right side. Some people think he did it intentionally, for the sake of fashion. I just think he didn’t realize there was a right way and wrong way to wear it.
Those invited to the wedding and reception were given a 22-page booklet on wedding etiquette. WOW! I’d love to get a hold of one of those. I’m curious to see the “Do’s and Don’ts” of attending a royal wedding.
I saw Elton John and David Furnish in the Abbey. I’m sure the wedding was bittersweet for him, knowing how close he was to the late Princess Diana.
I just heard that roughly 1/3 of the world’s population watched the wedding. WOW! That is amazing. Some places even organized block parties and held parties in their own homes, complete with fancy hats and cucumber sandwiches.
It was fun to watch and experience. Of course now I’m going to be tired for the rest of the day. 🙂
Congratulations to Prince William and Princess Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. May you have a long, happy and healthy life together.
Did YOU watch the wedding? What did you think about it? Did you watch the wedding of William’s parents, Prince Charles and Lady Diana?
Kimberly
Brandy says
I didn’t watch the wedding but caught the recap today and wow was it beautiful! They are a gorgeous couple and sound pretty much down to Earth which is great. I don’t know if my aunt made it or not but she was at Diana’s wedding back when that happened and she had plans to stay in London at a friends house and catch a glimpse. I will have to see if she made it or not.
In Your Place says
I thought the wedding was beautiful. I also watched Diana and Charles wedding back in the day. In defense of Diana, pouf was in in those days. Like ridiculous hats are apparently in today. I do not remember thinking of it as gaudy or over the top, just fairy tale beautiful. Looking at it now, it does seem a bit much. That being said I love, love, loved Kate’s understatedly gorgeous gown. And Pippa’s…to die for. Wish I had the body to pull that off.
Tammy says
I did not watch it – I personally am not much interested in it at all, but then I don’t follow celebrities either. I’ll only see what’s recapped on the news.
As for black being a no-no at weddings. I seriously didn’t realize that. That’s almost all I ever wear to weddings – that little black dress LOL.
Katie says
actually, I give Victoria Beckham props for her outfit. She is an amazingly beautiful woman & at least no eyes were on her because of it.
diane r says
I loved watching the wedding!! I woke up at 5 to watch it all and I am not into “celebrity” watching, either….but the wedding was history and it was a beautiful occassion to be able to witness. I got to spend time with my daughters, so that in itself was a wonderful thing!. I remember spending the day with my own mom watching Charles and Diana’s wedding, so it was special for me to do this with my daughters.
Tho I didn’t hate Diana’s dress I didn’t love it either—-Kate’s dress, on the other hand, was absolutely gorgeous on her~as was her veil. and I loved the small bouquet that she carried!!
It was great to see Kate and William smiling together often and I think I cried the most when William looked at his bride and told her she looked beautiful~~you just knew he meant it with all his heart!
It was quite a relaxing day to watch some positive stuff on tv for a change.
And I was also extremely impressed by the crowds….it warmed my heart to see so many people gathering together for something so joyful!!!! and from what I’ve read there was very little trouble.
Auriette says
The wedding may have cost a fortune, but it is also an economic engine for the city of London and probably much of the country. People were traveling to see the wedding and buying souvenirs. It also generated an amazing amount of press and publicity, which also has a value.
I suppose the wedding etiquette book said something about crying babies and turning off the cell phones, because I heard neither. I wish they’d publish that book online and let brides around the world print it out for their guests.