Harry and Meghan: Wedding Suggestions and Musings

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

I could identify them !

Me too!
I am always amazed when none of the commentators seem to know who various family members or members of other royal families are. You'd think someone would do some research before covering an event.

[Countessmeout]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

William and Kate also had plenty of celebrity guests (the Beckhams, Elton John, etc.) plus foreign royals and top British and Commonwealth public figures who, to me personally, are far more interesting than celebrities. In particular, I like to see gatherings of many royals from different countries, which is why I enjoyed weddings like Frederik's, Victoria's or Felipe's so much.

Besides, William and Kate had the Abbey setting and the RF procession from the Abbey back to BP, which we won't see in Harry and Meghan's wedding. The service itself might be similar in those parts that are actually mandatory in the liturgy, but I don't think the music will be as "grand" as in William and Kate's wedding, especially for the walking down the aisle or for the newly weds leaving the church.

I'm pretty sure it will be a nice wedding, but "toned down" compared to William's, which was in turn already a step down from Charles and Diana's. Interest in the US will be huge mostly because Meghan is American and Americans in general are very self-centered (sorry to say that !).

To you yes. But to the millions of Americans that American networks will hope will watch? Who do you think the majority will be interested in seeing? The PM of a commonwealth realm, or a priest of one of the churches? Or the cast of Suits? Pretty sure 4/5 people would say the latter.

The reality is that people tune in for the interesting parts. To see the dress, the tiara, and the famous guests. None of this will be any different then Will and Kate's.

Will and Kate had plenty of celebrities but many were 'british celebrities' that Americans might have little interest in. And foreign royals, that unless you are a royal follower, many wouldn't recognize. Harry and Meghan is different.

Sorry but no one is going to not watch the wedding because the organ music will be less dramatic then William's.

[Osipi]

If I am remembering right, when the coverage of Will & Kate's wedding was happening, I remember being disappointed as the cameras seem to go elsewhere rather than show the arrivals at the church for the most part. People were arriving at the Abbey and walking to their seats and the cameras were focused on the outside of the Goring Hotel waiting for Kate to emerge and get in the car.

I actually like watching all the people arrive and its been since joining here that, as they arrive as they did at Victoria's wedding and the arrivals were focused on, I realized I knew more of who was who. Its interesting to me.

[Missjersey]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

I could identify them ! That is what matters to me.

Yup, that’s half the fun for me!

[ACO]

Yes a lot of William and Kate's early coverage focused more on inside the church than the arrivals. I felt the same way and was annoyed as they kept panning the church. Hopefully they don't do too much of that this time around. Show the arrivals.

And it is no shock the US networks weren't really that well informed about the guests unless they were recognizable celebrities like the Beckhams. That is just not who they are interested in nor their main focus. I assume the likes of ET, E!, and Access Hollywood will be drooling over the celebrities while BBC points out when Lord Rocking Roll III arrives.

[Osipi]

One think we're going to have to remember too is that anything coming directly out of the chapel itself will be from one provider (such as BBC, ITV etc). They then share their feed with whatever other providers are carrying the royal wedding. This drastically cuts down on an overabundance of cameras and crew within the chapel itself.

One thing nice about streaming a live feed is that we get a choice of who we choose to watch and their commentators. My only hope is that I can get a British streaming live and the commentators are closed captioned.

[MARG]

Originally Posted by wyevale

There is [imo] NO more lovely 'form of words' for a marriage than that the traditional [series 1] Anglican ceremony [once the word 'obey' is dropped from the Brides 'oath']..

I would have to agree. Since H&M specifically requested the AOC to perform the actual vows, I think we will get the basic, updated 1662 Prayer Book Service which is filled with the most deeply beautiful words (sans obey). I have never heard personal vows that come anywhere even close.

[CyrilVladisla]

While watching William and Catherine's arrival, I noticed the broadcasters focused on certain arrivals: David and Victoria Beckham, Elton John, and Charles Spencer, Princess Diana's brother. At least the broadcasters knew who Earl Spencer was!
For Prince Henry's wedding, it would be nice if more time was spent about the guests.

[Royal Suitor]

I'm creating some games for my wedding watch party including a celebrity guest bingo board. Do you think there will be enough foreign royals and heads of state in attendance to do a separate board? It's not really my area of expertise. But with a little help to crowdsource the list, I'm happy to build that board and post both here.

[Countessmeout]

Originally Posted by CyrilVladisla

While watching William and Catherine's arrival, I noticed the broadcasters focused on certain arrivals: David and Victoria Beckham, Elton John, and Charles Spencer, Princess Diana's brother. At least the broadcasters knew who Earl Spencer was!
For Prince Henry's wedding, it would be nice if more time was spent about the guests.

They will likely focus on the exact same thing. This isn't the nightly news. The wedding coverage appeals to certain people. They are going to aim the camera at those who appeal to the largest viewers, to keep people from turning the channel. Reality is celebrities, and the royal family who is recognizable, are going to get the main focus. Of course Earl spencer was recognizable, and a focus, due to the whole Diana funeral thing.

[Iluvbertie]

Originally Posted by CyrilVladisla

While watching William and Catherine's arrival, I noticed the broadcasters focused on certain arrivals: David and Victoria Beckham, Elton John, and Charles Spencer, Princess Diana's brother. At least the broadcasters knew who Earl Spencer was!
For Prince Henry's wedding, it would be nice if more time was spent about the guests.

They will concentrate on who the general public know - the celebrity names and Diana's family along with the BRF.

They want waste time on other people who nobody really knows.

At William's they also showed the representatives of some of the other realms such as the PM of Australia - which makes sense.

People here want to see them acknowledge the royals from other countries but the vast majority of the viewing public don't care about them so they won't bother mentioning them. They will give the public what they want - celebrities and more celebrities.

They have a few seconds on each arrival - if that - and they can't spend time explaining who someone is so they go with those they know people will already know - the Beckhams or visiting PM because they are easy to explain rather than having to explain why a certain person is there such as explaing the relationship between the Danish and British royals.

[Lady Nimue]

Originally Posted by Royal Suitor

I'm creating some games for my wedding watch party including a celebrity guest bingo board. Do you think there will be enough foreign royals and heads of state in attendance to do a separate board? It's not really my area of expertise. But with a little help to crowdsource the list, I'm happy to build that board and post both here.

So interesting. Given what some are saying here, though, would one be able to identify the foreign royals given how little camera time it seems they would merit? Wondering. Love your idea, though.

[Osipi]

Originally Posted by Royal Suitor

I'm creating some games for my wedding watch party including a celebrity guest bingo board. Do you think there will be enough foreign royals and heads of state in attendance to do a separate board? It's not really my area of expertise. But with a little help to crowdsource the list, I'm happy to build that board and post both here.

I think making a board with foreign royals and heads of state is going to be a washout as there aren't many expected to attend. This isn't even a semi-state wedding like William's was. Only foreign royals and heads of state may be Prince Seeiso of Lesotho and perhaps the Prime Minister of Canada and maybe the Obamas as they would be attending as friends of the bride and groom. The Greek royal family may have some representatives there but as close relatives of the groom and not because of their royal status.

[Royal Suitor]

True. I forgot they're billing this wedding as private vs. semi-state. I'd already planned to include the Trudeaus and Obamas on my celebrity board. Probably simpler to keep everyone together.

[Biri]

Just two months to go!

[Mirabel]

Originally Posted by Biri

Just two months to go!

True, so shouldn't the invitations have gone out by now?
It's supposed to be eight weeks before, right?

They were sent out over two months in advance for William and Kate.

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by Mirabel

True, so shouldn't the invitations have gone out by now?
It's supposed to be eight weeks before, right?

They were sent out over two months in advance for William and Kate.

Maybe they have been sent already. We probably wouldn't know unless someone blabs.

[Dman]

I’m surprised to not see any Royal Wedding Countdown Clocks on the net and forums. We’re getting very close.

[ACO]

Originally Posted by O-H Anglophile

Maybe they have been sent already. We probably wouldn't know unless someone blabs.

They usually are sent out (or at least confirmed to have been) after the Queen's official consent. Will and Kate's were shown 2 weeks afterwards. So if we going by their timetable then we probably will hear something next week. I will guess that we will really have the countdown going once April hits. Big month for the royal family overall with the baby and CHOGM happening as well.

[CyrilVladisla]

The Junior Royals travelled to Prince William and Catherine's wedding in vans.
Will the Junior Royals travel in vans to Prince Henry and Meghan's wedding?