Is arranging the music for a Royal Wedding any different to organising the sounds for your wedding? It is different only in terms of scale, but the same rules apply to any wedding – ask an expert and have fun.

Selecting the music for your wedding can be one of the most daunting tasks for any couple planning their big day, so what must it be like for the couple who’s wedding list includes Sir Elton John, the Beckhams and Her Majesty the Queen?

No different to what it is like for anyone really, and with a few simple rules, what could be a nightmare actually becomes fun. These simple rules apply whether you are hosting your evening event in a hotel, a stately home or Buckingham Palace. Music is music and when it is well planned, the difference between the choirs of Westminster Abbey and the Chapel Royal who will sing as William and Kate walk down the aisle are only different to your local choir because they are bigger. OK, quite a lot bigger really, but the plan is the same.

When it comes to planning music for their evening do, William and Kate will have favourite songs from the time they met at St Andrews University, but they will know better than to choose only those songs for the entire evening. Like you, the Royal couple will be aware that their guests range in age from early teens to grandparents, and that their play list must reach as many of these people as possible.

Kate and William were seen getting down and funky to Body Rockers’ I Like the Way You Move and Primal Scream’s Rocks at Tom Parker Bowles’s wedding a few years ago, and William is known to be a fan of rapper Dizzy Rascal. I think we can safely imagine the reaction of Grandma and Granddad, HM The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh if that lot were blasting all night. The reaction of some of your guests would be exactly the same.

Nothing is yet known about the music or the acts William and Kate have selected, but just like you, they will be relying on experienced advisors, Professional wedding acts have arranged music for hundreds, maybe thousands of weddings and they know what works at these unique events. When you hire professionals you hire their expertise, so make the most of it.

The Royal wedding is different to yours only in scale. William and Kate will hopefully be having as much fun as you would, choosing your special songs then working with your wedding act to compile a play list that will rock the dance floor and leave not a dry eye in the house.

There are few events which inspire a sense of romance and intrigue as much as a Royal wedding. The upcoming British Royal nuptials mark an historic occasion which has the entire world hanging on every detail, from the gown to the flowers.

What choice should a Princess make for wedding flowers? The floral arrangement for a Royal wedding of this magnitude will set the trend for years to come. No doubt, every blushing bride will be stirred to create their own royal bouquet.

For any bride and groom, choosing the right arrangement of flowers is a fundamentally important part of the wedding planning. For a royal wedding, especially one that could be the British wedding of the century, the right flowers are even more important. Floral bouquets reflect the bride’s sense of style as well as invoking a sense of grace and elegance to the event. Flowers quite often create the atmosphere, be it traditional and romantic or bold and modern.

Wedding flowers are more than just bouquets. They are used to adorn the lapels of the gentlemen in the service, as well as to denote special guests. Candelabra’s and table decorations quite often use flowers as a focal point to enhance the mood for the event.

Any celebrity wedding will certainly have florists stocking their coolers with similar arrangements for summer weddings. When a well known person marries and photos showing her bouquet are released after the big day, replicas of her arrangement will likely be the hottest pick of the season.

British royal weddings have a long standing tradition that often incorporates protocol with personality, with many brides using flowers in symbolic tributes on their gowns. A Royal bride may choose to include the national flower of Wales, the daffodil, as part of her train on her gown or as part of her bouquet. Traditional favourites for royal wedding flowers include lily of the valley.

One thing most do agree upon; future Princesses will undoubtedly follow the tradition of surrendering her flower bouquet to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after the service. This heartfelt gesture began with the Queen Mother, who lost two brothers in World War One, and has been carried on by many royals since, including Princess Diana.

As for the bouquet, we all must simply wait and see which beautiful flowers will grace the British royal weddings of the future, as Royal Princesses set new and modern trends for the world to follow.

The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton is fast approaching.

On April 29 2011 the happy couple will celebrate their vows at the ancient and magnificent Westminster Abbey in London. King Henry I and Princess Matilda of Scotland were the first Royals to get married there when they tied the knot on Nov. 11, 1100. And of course it was the venue for the heart-rending but ultimately inspiring funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997.

There have been a lot of column inches written about this most modern of couples, and their romance seems to have captured the imagination of the entire world.

Since meeting as students at St Andrew’s University in Scotland, their love affair has had plenty of time to flourish and mature. There can be no doubt that both of them are absolutely in love and committed to a lifetime’s partnership together.

And unlike Prince William’s father, Prince Charles, who infamously replied to the question as to whether he was in love with Diana “Yes, whatever ‘in love’ means…”, you can be certain that his son and future daughter-in-law know exactly what love is.

Much has been made of the future King of England marrying a commoner. Vestiges of snobbery masquerading as court protocol still haunt the royal corridors. Taunts of ‘doors to manual’ have been reported as being used by some aristocrats and courtiers of Kate, a reference to her mother’s former occupation as a flight attendant.

From what we have seen of her and her family, such underhand, pathetic and childish comments are undoubtedly taken with a sense of humour. They reveal more about the taunter than the recipient.

The Middletons are respectably middle class. Kate’s father, Michael, is the son of a former airline pilot, and himself started as an airline steward for British Airways (where he met his future wife Carole Goldsmith) before rising to the rank of flight dispatcher.

They made their money in the party ware business, and their company, Party Pieces, is as far as anyone can tell, thriving. It even features Royal Wedding items in its stock.

The family home in the small village of Bucklebury in the Royal County of Berkshire (not that far from Windsor Castle) is where Kate has spent most of her formative years. Of course as is perfectly normal for people of her class and income in England, she had a privileged education at the prestigious private boarding school Marlborough College.

Interestingly, a former school friend has described her as ordinary, hard-working, athletic and easy-going. Perhaps it is these down to earth qualities which not only attracted her to Prince William in the first place, but which will help keep both their feet firmly rooted in the real world for the rest of their lives.

What is certain is that their lives will be on display, even more so than Diana’s. How they cope with the ups and downs of life, the paparazzi, the inevitable press intrusions, the whiffs of scandal, will be a big test for their maturity, wisdom and love. While they are still young they have the benefit of their more experienced elders, but in some cases they will be flying alone. Good luck to them.

The Princess Kate and Prince William royal wedding is receiving widespread media attention all over the world. The thrill and excitement associated with the grand affair has only heightened since the office of the Prince of Wales at Clarence House announced their engagement on November 16, 2010. With the wedding date set on April 29, 2011, preparations are on in full swing for the iconic event that will be covered by every major television network around the world.

The two are set to marry at Westminster Abbey, an 11th century monument that has been the site of coronation of no less than 38 kings and queens. Built by Edward the Confessor, this structure is known for its splendid architecture and rich historical background. This, along with its relatively intimate setting and romantic appeal, is said to have dictated its choice by the couple as the place where they would like to say their vows.

Every detail pertaining to the royal wedding is being covered in the media in intricate detail, be it the wedding cake, the trousseau, the menu, the guest list or the preparations that are taking place in the royal household in the countdown leading to the fateful day.

However, most of it is still speculation at best as even the buffet-style wedding breakfast that is being prepared by Mark Flanagan – the Queen’s Head Chef – is being kept a closely guarded secret. So far, the chef has only hinted about an all-British menu that would include hot and cold canapes along with patent favorites such as smoked salmon on beetroot blinis.

The royal wedding of William and Kate will have two cakes. The official one is a multi-tiered fruitcake that is being made by Leicestershire baker Fiona Cairns and will be decorated with edible flowers. The other one will be an unbaked chocolate biscuit cake by McVitie’s that is an all-time favorite of Prince William and has been especially requested by him to be prepared using the secret Royal Family recipe.

More than 1,900 wedding invitations have been sent out by the couple in the name of Queen Elizabeth II requesting the presence of friends, family and a long list of royals and diplomats at the event. Of these, only 600 people have been given invitations for a lunchtime reception at the Buckingham Palace.

As for the wedding trousseau, the dress that Princess Kate is expected to wear when she walks down the aisle as a miss for the last time is a closely guarded secret that everyone is holding their breath for.

By: Sandy Rutherforde

The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton is fast approaching.

On April 29 2011 the happy couple will celebrate their vows at the ancient and magnificent Westminster Abbey in London. King Henry I and Princess Matilda of Scotland were the first Royals to get married there when they tied the knot on Nov. 11, 1100. And of course it was the venue for the heart-rending but ultimately inspiring funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997.

There have been a lot of column inches written about this most modern of couples, and their romance seems to have captured the imagination of the entire world.

Since meeting as students at St Andrew’s University in Scotland, their love affair has had plenty of time to flourish and mature. There can be no doubt that both of them are absolutely in love and committed to a lifetime’s partnership together.

And unlike Prince William’s father, Prince Charles, who infamously replied to the question as to whether he was in love with Diana “Yes, whatever ‘in love’ means…”, you can be certain that his son and future daughter-in-law know exactly what love is.

Much has been made of the future King of England marrying a commoner. Vestiges of snobbery masquerading as court protocol still haunt the royal corridors. Taunts of ‘doors to manual’ have been reported as being used by some aristocrats and courtiers of Kate, a reference to her mother’s former occupation as a flight attendant.

From what we have seen of her and her family, such underhand, pathetic and childish comments are undoubtedly taken with a sense of humour. They reveal more about the taunter than the recipient.

The Middletons are respectably middle class. Kate’s father, Michael, is the son of a former airline pilot, and himself started as an airline steward for British Airways (where he met his future wife Carole Goldsmith) before rising to the rank of flight dispatcher.

They made their money in the party ware business, and their company, Party Pieces, is as far as anyone can tell, thriving. It even features Royal Wedding items in its stock.

The family home in the small village of Bucklebury in the Royal County of Berkshire (not that far from Windsor Castle) is where Kate has spent most of her formative years. Of course as is perfectly normal for people of her class and income in England, she had a privileged education at the prestigious private boarding school Marlborough College.

Interestingly, a former school friend has described her as ordinary, hard-working, athletic and easy-going. Perhaps it is these down to earth qualities which not only attracted her to Prince William in the first place, but which will help keep both their feet firmly rooted in the real world for the rest of their lives.

What is certain is that their lives will be on display, even more so than Diana’s. How they cope with the ups and downs of life, the paparazzi, the inevitable press intrusions, the whiffs of scandal, will be a big test for their maturity, wisdom and love. While they are still young they have the benefit of their more experienced elders, but in some cases they will be flying alone. Good luck to them.

The Royal Wedding will be broadcast live on giant screens at two central London locations, where Londoners and visitors alike will be able to join in the celebrations.
Hyde Park and Trafalgar Square will be the venues for free live screenings of Prince William and Catherine Middleton’s wedding. They are being jointly organised by the Department of Media, Culture & Sport, the Mayor of London, and The Royal Parks.

Following the historic news that Prince William and Kate Middleton are getting married on April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey a treasure of memories of the royal wedding memorabilia goes into production. If you are a royal watcher , or just looking for an investment opportunity, now is the time to start investigating everything about William and Kate.

Cups and dishes have always been a favorite in any collection in the build up to any special event of the Royals. It will certainly be a great variety of types of China with both Prince William and Princess Catherine likenessess on them, along with Royal crest or perhaps Westminster Abbey in the background.

Fine Bone China with hand painted decoration of the wedding is often a good recommended for purchase, as they may bring their own value, even without the commemorative pictures.

Royal thimbles will be printed with photos of the happy couple. Royal commemorative thimbles back more than a century and have long been an element of value to collectors. Seek out thimbles have been produced using a method of engraving on precious metals like gold, silver or platinum. Collecting these will be much higher in value, along with the commemorative element.

Start collecting any type of reading material on the newlyweds to be. Magazines, books, brochures, newspaper articles, all concerning William and Kate’s historic journey.

The stamps are another favorite subject of collection. Not just from the UK, but worldwide. Almost all countries of the Commonwealth will issue commemorative stamps.

If you are a collector of stamps, why not create a collection of royal theme. Create a collection covering the period of engagement, wedding, birth of children, and so on. Topics like this are more likely to add value over time, especially if kept in folders and good condition.

Check out a selection of hand picked items here: http://astore.amazon.co.uk/desbaylis-21

These days, not as many wedding dresses have trains, at least in America. Many brides have realized that extra fabric on a wedding dress ends up costing them a little more. That, plus the fact that they can_t see that part of their wedding dress all that well, and it drags on the ground, has made the train an extra accessory that some brides decide to eliminate.

However, there_s nothing as elegant as the train on a wedding dress. Every royal bride has a long train as an integral part of their wedding gowns; that shows the regality of the bride, who deserves to feel like a queen on her special day. Wedding trains bring glamour, especially if it looks like it was part of the original design, as opposed to an add-on.

In general, there are six types of trains that wedding dresses can have. Let_s take a look at each one.

The royal train is the longest of all trains, and of course, by the name, you know this is the type of train that the royals will have as their wedding dresses. Royal trains are extreme; they go back at least 10 feet, and obviously were planned to be there, as the silhouette_s they_re attached to are blended so that the gown is seamless. This will definitely make the bride the center of attention.

The next train is pretty long also, and it_s known as the cathedral train. This train extends between 6 to 9 feet, and, as the term indicates, this was the traditional wedding train for religious ceremonies for centuries, and is still worn by today_s brides for mainly Catholic ceremonies.

The next train that comes into religious favor is the chapel train, which _only_ extends from 4 to 5 feet. This train was also a traditional religious train, but not for as extensively religious ceremonies as the cathedral train.

The court train comes in around 3 feet, and traditionally this was for weddings of lesser royals such as duchesses and countesses, though it was regal in its own way.

The sweep train is one that barely touches the ground, kind of _sweeping_ the ground but not by much. This is probably the most popular train with today_s brides.

The last train is more of an attachment than originally part of the wedding dress. Known as the watteau, it attaches to the top of the wedding dress at the shoulders, then falls to the length of your dress, or further.

Of course, wedding dresses don_t have to have trains, but it just adds so much glamour to the occasion that we hope more brides decide to return to the days of long and elegant trains.

By: Jayson E. Gibson

We were all ready for this supernumerary indifferent of the period. The nuptials of shaft undergo consort and his bride Wife Dramatist. The British Stag Wedding gift recognize the good Observance in 2011. It gift be held on Fri 29 , 2011 at tat Borough Abbey. Stag Nuptials untaped The Ceremonial Consort William & Catherine Middleton. Two billion fill are foreseen to timepiece active on television and the Cyberspace to see the offspring son of Princess Diana and his mortal bride tie the on Fri after a relationship that began at university in Scotland figure age ago.

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You can rite living here at Main-tv the very observance of the century. The ritual of Consort William and Wife Middleton. The ritual present be held on April 29 at Westminster Abbey followed by a procession along Writer’s famous landmarks. The give be at Buckingham Fort and hosted by Challenger Elizabeth II. Author, Nonsegmental Kingdom – The group is now eagerly anticipating the biggest circumstance of the twelvemonth, or perhaps, of the period. The William-Kate royal hymeneals has captured the world’s since the day the Clarence Business declared their involvement inalterable year.

From ceremonial souvenirs to an US telefilm almost the couplet, this blunder is feat and provocative as the big day is speeding timing. Everyone is excitedly waiting for this bonny, easy daughter of self-made millionaires from County, England as she walks plumage the to officiate a real account consort from Buckingham Palace. Then it faculty get division of account. But not everybody knows that Kate and William’s rite has most the identical UK mixer, political and scheme situations when the prince’s parents, Princess Diana and Prince River, the grayback 30 ago.
We were all waiting for this actor indifferent event of the period. The ceremony of fortunate hump consort and his bride Wife Middleton. The Country Stag Nuptials module chastity the advisable Party in 2011. It module be held on Fri 29 Apr, 2011 at tat Abbey. Rite lively The Royal Ceremony Prince William & Empress Middleton. Two billion fill are potential to catch active on receiver and the Internet to see the first son of Princess Diana and his commoner bride tie the roughness on Friday after a story that began at in Scotland figure years ago.

Here is what you need.
clear plastic cellophane
tape dispenser with tape
two wiggle eyes
felt scrap
white craft gule
tiny pink pom-pom
scissors
yarn for fur
thin craft ribbon
thread
11⁄2-inch (3.8-cm) pom-pom and
two 1⁄2-inch (1.25-cm) pom-poms
Here is what you do:

1.Decide if you want to make a cat or a dog for your parent. If there is a pet at your house,  then you might want to choose yarn and pom-pom colors similar to that pet.
2.Pop the tape off the dispenser and remove the paper liner.
3.Cover the print side of the paper liner with glue and yarn snips for the fur. When the glue has dried, place the liner back in the tape dispenser so that the yarn fur is visible through the plastic. Snap the roll of tape back into the dispenser. Glue the large pom-pom into the hole in the dispenser for the head of the pet. Glue the two small pom-poms at the bottom of the tape dispenser, below the head, for the paws. Cut small triangles of felt for cat ears. Dog ears are usually larger. See sample dog on the next page. Glue the ears to the top of the head. Glue the wiggle eyes to the front of the head.
4.When the glue has dried, place the liner back in the tape dispenser so that the yarn fur is visible through the plastic.
5.Snap the roll of tape back into the dispenser.

6.Glue the large pom-pom into the hole in the dispenser for the head of the pet.
7.Glue the two small pom-poms at the bottom of the tape
dispenser, below the head, for the paws.
8.Cut small triangles of felt for cat ears. Dog ears are usually larger. See sample dog
on the next page.  Glue the ears to the top of the head.
9.Glue the wiggle eyes to the
front of the head.
10.Cut two or three 2-inch (5-cm) threads for
the cat whiskers. You’ll want dog whiskers to
be shorter. Glue them to the front of the
head below the eyes.
11.Glue the pink pom-pom over the center of the threads for a nose. You might want to add a little jingle bell to the ribbon at the neck.
12.Trim the ends of the whiskers to make them even.
13.Make a small bow from the thin craft ribbon. Glue the bow at the neck of the pet.
You might want to add a little jingle bell to the ribbon at the neck.

Mothers Day

Even though we love Mom all year long, May 8th is a wonderful time to go all out and show her how much she is appreciated.

If my Mum lived closer to me here is what I would do to put a smile on her face.

Being of English decent I’d start the day with a tea party in the early afternoon – it does not have to be precisely at the stroke of 4:00pm. – Followed later in the evening with a barbeque.

The Tea Party:

Ideally the best place for this event as long as the weather cooperates is outdoors, however it can be just as nice indoors.

Going on the idea that it’s to be outdoors here is how I’d proceed.

Setting The Table:

I’m going to start by using a layered effect with the table linens. As my Mum loves Lavender I’ll start with a solid deep lavender cloth, over the top of that a second cloth in pale Lavender, possibly a small check with soft greens and yellows mixed in. Finishing off with a floral pattern keeping with the lavender, green and yellow color scheme.

Napkins in one of the three colors, folded and tided with a pretty coordinating ribbon and a floral centerpiece will finish it off.

Nothing fussy for the centerpiece, a white pitcher filled with either Tulip’s from the local grocer or silk Roses, Mum’s favorite flower.

The Tea Set:

The perfect tea set would be the Piper Collection from Royal Doulton.

This set has the rich heritage of traditional England. The white background and gold accents can take it from afternoon tea to a formal dinner party. Contents would include the teapot, cups and saucers plus salad plates.

The reason for the small salad plate is your not serving a complete dinner, just finger food, more on that later.

Refreshments:

Keeping in mind that this is afternoon tea, the food will consist of small items that can be picked up and eaten with your fingers.

For example one of Mum’s favorite sandwiches is Cream Cheese & Olives. It’s not a sandwich you’d normally find at an English tea but as I said it is one of her favorites plus it’s simple to make.

One package cream cheese – softened

One small jar of Olives

Cut olives into small pieces, combine with the softened cream cheese and a small amount of the olive juice in a bowl, mix together then spread on bread.

Cut crust from all four corners of the sandwich, and then cut into fours.

Also being served will be a variety of desserts including Strawberry Scones – another of her favorites – shortbread cookies dipped in chocolate, lemon tarts also some type of chocolate cake.

To serve the refreshments I’ll use several two and three tiered serving dishes, on the top of at least one I’ll add whole strawberries – another of Mum’s favorites – with a side dish of whipped – sorry not clotted – cream.

The last order of business will be to sit, pour the tea and spend a few relaxing hours visiting with my beloved Mum.

Take this idea and gear it around something your Mum likes whether it’s a hobby or a vacation spot she loves.

The whole idea is to put together something special for her that shows how much she means to you. She will definitely appreciate your time and effort.

Of course if your not able to put together a party for her, a heartfelt card – maybe hand written – and a bouquet of beautiful spring flowers – Tulips would fit the bill – will be appreciated just as much.

This is a share ware article. Give this article away for free on your site, or include it as part of any paid package as long as the entire article is left intact including this notice. Copyright © 2005 bonnie carrier.

About The Author

Bonnie P. Carrier is the creator of Savvy Home Decorating. She is the mother to two grown daughters and a very spoiled 4yr old Blue Merle Sheltie named Toby. Stop by Savvy Home Decorating – www.savvy-home-decorating.com – for ideas and tips on budget decorating: