At 5am on Friday April 29th, my friend Laura hosted a get together in her home to watch Prince William and Kate Middleton get married in Westminster Abbey in London. Our mutual friend Robyn along with Laura and her young children all shared in the excitement.
I remember getting up early with my mom and sister to see Diana Spencer get married to Prince Charles. I still can't believe that happened 30 years ago.
Besides watching how beautiful Diana and Kate looked in their gowns, guests at both Diana's and Kate's ceremonies wore amazing hats. Laura made sure each one of her guests had a hat that was adorned with fun feathers and hot pink tulle.
I made a trip to Trader Joe's and Wegmans and picked up freshly baked blueberry and orange/cranberry scones, lemon curd, British cheddar cheese, cinnamon crumpets and Rose's lime marmalade.
I forwent bringing clotted cream, having had it at Brown's Hotel in London many years ago and remembering it was not my favorite topping. We had butter instead.
In addition to the food, Laura brought water to a rolling boil for tea that was served in elegant silver rimmed china.
Laura definitely made this event memorable for her children by bringing out her wedding head dress and double stranded pearl choker necklace for her daughter to wear while we all watched the pageantry unfold on tv. Her daughter and son were captivated by the wedding events of the day - the horses, Kate's gown, carriages and the singing in the church.
Kate followed some traditions like having a sprig of myrtle "herb of love" in her bouquet which dates back to Queen Victoria. Personally, I was wondering if Kate had placed a sixpence coin in her shoe. I was told when I visited a coin shop in the town of Windsor in the United Kingdom that for hundreds of years brides have customarily worn a sixpence coin in their shoe on their wedding day to bless their marriage with wealth and prosperity. I am not sure if royal weddings follow that tradition.
Before we left, Laura mentioned that she made her guests a parting gift, Jordan almonds carefully wrapped in pink and white tulle. Upon further research I discovered why Jordan almonds are given as favors at weddings.
I also found his poem I would like to share too:
Besides watching how beautiful Diana and Kate looked in their gowns, guests at both Diana's and Kate's ceremonies wore amazing hats. Laura made sure each one of her guests had a hat that was adorned with fun feathers and hot pink tulle.
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| Laura's hand decorated hats |
I made a trip to Trader Joe's and Wegmans and picked up freshly baked blueberry and orange/cranberry scones, lemon curd, British cheddar cheese, cinnamon crumpets and Rose's lime marmalade.
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| Freshly Baked Blueberry and Cranberry/Orange Scones Wegmans |
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| Cinnamon Crumpets Trader Joe's |
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| Rose's Key Lime Marmalade: Wegmans Lemon Curd: Trader Joe's |
I forwent bringing clotted cream, having had it at Brown's Hotel in London many years ago and remembering it was not my favorite topping. We had butter instead.
In addition to the food, Laura brought water to a rolling boil for tea that was served in elegant silver rimmed china.
Laura definitely made this event memorable for her children by bringing out her wedding head dress and double stranded pearl choker necklace for her daughter to wear while we all watched the pageantry unfold on tv. Her daughter and son were captivated by the wedding events of the day - the horses, Kate's gown, carriages and the singing in the church.
Kate followed some traditions like having a sprig of myrtle "herb of love" in her bouquet which dates back to Queen Victoria. Personally, I was wondering if Kate had placed a sixpence coin in her shoe. I was told when I visited a coin shop in the town of Windsor in the United Kingdom that for hundreds of years brides have customarily worn a sixpence coin in their shoe on their wedding day to bless their marriage with wealth and prosperity. I am not sure if royal weddings follow that tradition.
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| Laura's hand made Jordon Almonds Favors |
Before we left, Laura mentioned that she made her guests a parting gift, Jordan almonds carefully wrapped in pink and white tulle. Upon further research I discovered why Jordan almonds are given as favors at weddings.
Fresh almonds have a bittersweet taste, which represents life. The sugarcoating is added with the hope that the newlyweds' life will be more sweet than bitter.
Five sugared almonds for each guest to eat
To remind us that life is both bitter and sweet.
Five wishes for the new husband and wife --
Health, wealth, happiness, children, and a long life!
I was so glad to have made the effort to watch the televised wedding live with really great friends. This wedding, thirty years in the making, was definitely worth waiting for.
Wishing Prince William and Princess Kate a very happy, healthy, loving marriage!
Wishing Prince William and Princess Kate a very happy, healthy, loving marriage!
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