4.30.2011

Royals versus Fishers

photo credit: art union


I spent three hours of my life watching THE wedding.

Normally I wouldn't waste my precious time on such remote things, but since I have now had the experience of planning a wedding, I was more interested....uhh ......you know.... from a technical point of view.

Okay.... that part about normally not wasting my time on such things may be a little fib. But then, if I admit it's a fib, then it isn't a fib anymore is it. It's a fabricated figment of a fib foregone (aka confession).

Anyhoodle.....

I rather enjoyed the extravaganza and found it to be quite a lovely affair (read with English accent to get full effect). I was grateful to be privy to watch the whole thing. After all, did Jennifer Lopez televise her wedding for the world? See what I mean?

It was a thrill to see how Princess Kate copied Daisy's idea to keep her dress simple, classic and reminiscent of an enduring icon. As you may know,  Daisy patterned her dress after the glamorous Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face (1957).


Kate chose Grace Kelley. Both classics are excellent choices to accentuate a small waist and to help the bride, rather than the dress, be the **star**.



By now I'm sure everyone's had just about enough of this whole bloomin' whipsnittle, but I am still throwing in my five shillings' worth. For my posterity's sake. Here are my five favorite parts of the wedding, besides the obvious tender moments like the double kiss; stolen glances; William steadying his bride out of the carriage; the calm, composed and pleasant Kate, etc. And come to think of it, the things I will list are, to some degree, all things that bring a sense of realism to the wedding.... reminders that although they have titles and wealth, royal people are still like all of us in many many ways.

They still have to endure the obligatory family photos. And they still pee, though this has yet to be confirmed by any of my sources. (BTW, did they just rent those children? Who are they?)




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Finally, without further long-winded adieu, here are my top five things in no particular order:

1. The Sneak Peek


Prince Harry couldn't resist looking back to glance at the bride then whispered the verdict to his brother, William. I loved this! So brotherly. I bet at the bachelor party William cornered Harry and said, "I double dog dare you to sneak a peek and tell me what she looks like."

2. The Ring Wrangle


William ran into a little speedbump getting on the ring. Yes, even princesses have big knuckles.

3. The Slick Hat Trick

photo credit: LA Times
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie arrived at the ball with a giant ugly step-sister----ish chip on their shoulder.... er...I mean forehead. Since their mum wasn't invited to the wedding, I felt like this hat business was a passive-aggressive trick to somehow retaliate.

I just feel badly for Philip Treacy who is an incredibly creative designer.  I hope his reputation won't be tarnished because of his hat designed to be a:

a huge fondant-like ribbon
a toilet bowl seat
a large IUD
antlers
?

which would be wonderfully [more] appropriate at the Moulin Rouge. Although Treacy is getting tons of free publicity. So this is probably bank.

And don't worry. Bea has some support. Someone had this to say on the FB page Princess Beatrice's ridiculous Royal Wedding hat: "I do respect Bea for recycling and wearing her grandma's 1961 theatre coat. {*stifled giggles*}" 

I just love the humor that's coming out of this gutsy move.

4. The Tree Trade

photo credit: CBS News
I loved, loved, loved the use of the 20 maples and 2 hornbeam trees lining the aisle instead of ridiculous amounts of flowers. Word on the street is that every choice was deliberate and care was given to the symbolism and meaning of selected flowers and trees. The English field maple symbolizes humility and reserve, an endearing statement from a commoner entering a completely crazy new lifestyle, but wanting to maintain her roots and sense of self. The hornbeam signifies resilience. The trees were also reminiscent of Kate's home which is situated on an avenue lined with trees. Kate wanted it to be English, natural, seasonal and ethically conscious. Very cool!

5. Pippa Longstocking


She took my breath away. Pippa worked it... using this opportunity to flaunt what she's got, and she got the world's attention. The net is abuzz about the beauty of Pippa Longstocking (the nickname I gave her for that awesome long stockingesque dress). Enriching our life requires us to seize the moments. Pippa showed us how. Carpippa Diem!

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Overall, THE wedding was all very tasteful and beautiful. Though there is nothing simple about Westminster Abbey or the ceremonial robes worn by the priests, there was a very understated elegance - like feel to it. And that, for me, was the WOW factor.

Funny...that's just how our wedding was going to be.

Almost.

Except less praying. And we were having Jordan Almonds and frappé. Unfortunately for them, I didn't see any signs of those in the palace.

Keep swimming,
Ms. Fish

PS: I loved the Queen's springy yellow dress!! Joy Behar, you're a bah humbug.
PSS: And I bet the ceremony priests could rock a Neil Diamond song! I am in love with their voice.

POST Publishing Addition:
One of my other favorite moments was when Kate first walked out onto the balcony and was astounded at the amount of people there. I loved her spontaneous, genuine, and humble reaction!

6 comments:

The HousewifeTravels said...

I loved the wedding too. I had a little viewing party today with tea and english muffins.

I believe the children are Prince William cousins. One of the litttle girls names is Lady Louise. isn't that adorable?!

One of my fav parts were the beautiful quotes from the speakers. Something like " Marriage allows you to be the person that God intended you to be and set the world on fire" I'll have to look that one up.

Ms. Fish said...

Oh...I totally agree with you. I remember that phrase. It was the first thing out of the first speaker's mouth.

I really focused on the material aspects of the wedding, but I thought the ceremony itself was so beautiful! I loved what the speakers said (and I was smitten by the deep resonant voices). Did you notice they really emphasized the sacred obligation of the marriage covenant. Said it like three times....because so far, the family has struggled with that.

There is so much hope oozing from a wedding!

What a fun idea to have an english tea party! I love it. Way to take advantage of the situation to get together with friends :)

Missy B. said...

somehow i think Kate and Wills are going to break with tradition and lead a successful married life... we all have such high hopes for them, but judging from their (already) 8 year relationship together, i think the future is bright for them staying together. what happy mortals they are! Williams seems as though he always longed for a grounded life and found it with the Middletons. what a wonderful family to marry into, after your own had been such a wreck and full of such drama.

Ms. Fish said...

I hope you are right Missy B about their success. And I completely agree with your analysis about Wills desire for normalcy.

If you watch this interview, you get a sense of that solid grounding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK3ODM5S0Lg

Missy B. said...

yes, i saw that video on CNN yesterday. they both seem quite grounded.

LGH said...

Jenni, this was such a delightful,post! I loved reading it. Your comments about the cousins hats were very funny!

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