So, we hear some American actress is marrying a Brit this weekend. And somehow, our invitation from Buckingham Palace seems to have gone astray. Yours, too?
No worries. Here’s everything you need to know about this weekend’s wedding hoopla, including how to participate. You won’t even have to wear a fascinator.
THE BASICS: What’s all this, then?
Britain’s Prince Harry, 33, and Meghan Markle, 36, a Los Angeles-born actress and model, are to be wed on Saturday, May 19 at St. George’s Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle in the English County of Berkshire. The ceremony begins at noon London time, which means 7 a.m. ET and 4 a.m. PT.
THE SILVER SCREEN: A high-def wedding
Want to see every tidbit of the glamorous nuptials? Eight Bay Area movie theaters are screening the royal wedding this Saturday in all its lacy, high-def glory so you can see every detail, from Meghan Markle’s elaborate gown to the little prince and princesses in the wedding party. Fathom Events and Britbox have teamed up to present the three-hour, 30-minute ITV coverage of “Harry & Meghan: The Royal Wedding.” With no commercials!
THE SMALL SCREEN: A full-out programming blitz
What’s a royal wedding without some royal buildup? Television is rolling out a slew of fairy tale specials to sate the public’s thirst for wedding details. Ready to prime your DVR? Here’s what lies ahead: 14 specials this week alone, including “Inside the Royal Wedding.” (You’re going to need a bigger DVR.)
THE TOAST: You, too, can raise a glass (or tea cup)
You didn’t get an engraved invitation from Buckingham Palace? Don’t despair. You can still celebrate Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s big day — and Bay Area tea rooms and pubs are rolling out the, er, scones to help. Here are a dozen fun options, from a re-broadcast with bottomless mimosas in San Francisco to a pre-dawn wedding brunch in San Jose, complete with live stream, as well as bangers, bacon and beans. Consider yourself royally invited.
THE CAKE: Chez Panisse what?
Yes! Harry and Meghan’s wedding cake has a Berkeley connection. Traditionally, British royalty serves fruitcake at its wedding. (Yes, the holiday kind. And no, we don’t know why, but you can’t smoosh frosting on your bride’s face with a fruitcake, so there’s that.) But the royal couple decided to throw caution and sultanas to the wind. Here’s the baker they picked and details on what she’s baking. (Psst, we don’t have a recipe for her wedding cake, but we do have this one, which sounds equally delish.)
This just in: The cake unveiled, with photos, video and details on how many Amalfi lemons, elderflower cordial bottles and bakers were involved in its creation.
THE DEBACLE: The latest Markle family drama
The paparazzi, the staged photo shoot, the half-sister, the will-he-won’t-he father of the bride — even Lifetime’s scriptwriters must be thinking, “This strains credibility.” If you’re agog for the latest wedding debacle news, you’ll find it here and here (and we’ll probably add a few more “heres” before the week is out).
THE WARDROBE: A royal dress code
No stilettos. No bare legs. No — Of course, there’s a royal wedding dress code. If there wasn’t, people could wear anything at all, even crazy towering, sculptural things on their heads that — oh wait, that one’s OK. (It’s called a fascinator, by the way, and it looks exactly like a hat would look, if your milliner had been nipping bottomless mimosas all day.) As for the bride, we’re talking two wedding dresses.