Break out the teacups: How to throw a royal wedding party
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will tie the knot on May 19 — here's how to join the celebrations in style
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With the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle a mere 10 days away, plans for the big day are done and dusted — from the music, to the flowers, to the guest list.
If you weren't lucky enough to score an invite to St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19, you can still celebrate their upcoming nupitials with a royal wedding viewing party.
Here are a few things to keep in mind to throw a bash fit for a British royal.
What to serve
Menu possibilities are vast, but bangers and mash or Eccles cakes sound good. Tea and scones with jam and clotted cream would be in keeping with the moment. Some may wish to add a bit of fizz and pop a cork, or sip some sparkling water infused with elderflower, to mark the moment Harry and Meghan make their vows.
If you want a recipe with a royal pedigree, Darren McGrady, a former chef for the Queen and Diana, Princess of Wales, and Princes William and Harry for 15 years, has created a few for the occasion. (It's in partnership with Kellogg's; cereal may be a bit informal, but it nods to the fact that this will be an early morning for those of us watching from North America).
"There are plenty of ways to add regal flair to a meal," he says.
McGrady's recipes include scones, Scotch eggs and a lemon wedding cake in keeping with Meghan and Harry's selection. Purists, be warned: they all contain cereal.
Harry and Meghan's cake will be created by chef Claire Ptak, who has a shop in trendy East London. She hasn't offered up the recipe, but many have been curious about just how her lemon and elderflower confection will come together. Some have offered up their own version. And that cake marks a sharp break from the culinary tradition at royal weddings, where a massive multi-layered fruitcake has been the go-to fare for generations.
But, really, whatever you wish to serve and think your guests would enjoy would be in keeping with the spirit of the wedding day, which Kensington Palace has said will be one of "fun and joy."
How to decorate
Of course, a party isn't just the food. What about decorating the venue — whether it be your living room or your condo building's party room?
As a colour scheme, think red, white and blue, just like the Union Jack. If there is a British shop in your community, that might be a good place to start. Online retailers also have lots of party decorations, from bunting to flags to lifesize cutouts of Harry and Meghan.
For the flowers, if you'd like something for your table, you can think beyond all-white. Perhaps opt for an arrangement of flowers and greenery that have their own symbolism throughout the United Kingdom: the Tudor rose for England, the thistle for Scotland, the daffodil for Wales and the shamrock for Northern Ireland.
What to wear
With an early-morning ceremony for North Americans looking to watch the wedding live, the dress code is likely to run the gamut; some may opt for the comfort of robes and pyjamas. There may even be some fascinators on display.
What is a fascinator and why have they become a mainstay of royal nuptials? They certainly sparked some frenzied fashion debate after William and Kate's wedding seven years ago, and don't be surprised to see them next week, too. The dress code for Meghan and Harry's wedding calls for "Day Dress with Hat."
The term fascinator, originally, referred to a lace or crocheted scarf that covered the head. But the modern concoctions — some fanciful, some absurd — are credited to milliners Stephen Jones and Philip Treacy for their popularity.
"The hat is a symbol of Englishness," Treacy told the Wall Street Journal, perhaps giving the sense of one being dressed head to toe.
As for a top tip, Jones gave a good one to British Vogue. Before attempting to fascinate someone with a fascinator: "Wear the hat at home first, so you get used to the balance."
How to watch
Getting excited? So are we. The CBC will be broadcasting the royal wedding on May 19. Adrienne Arsenault will host, and you can watch it on CBC TV, CBC News Network or online at cbcnews.ca. Coverage starts at 4 a.m. ET, with the ceremony taking place at 7 a.m. ET. All the details of what's happening on the day and the days leading up to it can be found here.
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Please send your ideas, questions, royal tips or memories — wedding or otherwise — and any comments on the newsletter to royalwedding@cbc.ca.
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