Harry and Meghan: Wedding Suggestions and Musings

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Pranter

There was nothing I said that indicated you need to worship America or the foods from here. The reverse is true from our standpoint as well...some of the criticisms of English foods are justified.

It's not tough for me to accept at all...I just laugh at all the angst over the cake not being the 'traditional' English style. Further who said it would be luridly colored? Not everyone here is into bright colors.

Stop stereotyping us.




LaRae

The point is that royals are different from ordinary celebrities or other rich people. They are seen as national symbols with a family history that is intimately associated with the country's history.

It must be already difficult enough for some people in Britain to accept an unconventional American bride like Meghan. If, on top of that, she publicly goes against "British tradition", hiring an American chef to make a traditionally American cake, it is obvious it will be a source of criticism.

[Osipi]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

The point is that royals are different from ordinary celebrities or other rich people. They are seen as national symbols with a family history that is intimately associated with the country's history.

It must be already difficult enough for some people in Britain to accept an unconventional American bride like Meghan. If, on top of that, she publicly goes against "British tradition", hiring an American chef to make a traditionally American cake, it is obvious it will be a source of criticism.

Are you absolutely sure that Harry doesn't have any part in these decisions that may go against British tradition? What if it actually was Harry's choice? You're really pushing to put the onus on Meghan here.

[ACO]

If the BRF, especially HM, doesn't seem to mind Meghan having a cake of her liking... then why should I care? She has given up plenty so the least she can have is a cake of her choosing for HER wedding.

Maybe the groomscake will be the fruitcake. It is like people don't want Meghan to have a say about anything. They said from the very beginning it will be about the two of them so all this pearl-clutching over American touches seems odd to me.

[Cocoasneeze]

Interesting, that Harry, the actual royal, and an actual Briton, is completely omitted from any decision-making, and it's all Meghan. I'm thinking, that this was a joint decision, and the RF are happy with their choice.

[MaiaMia_53]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

The point is that royals are different from ordinary celebrities or other rich people. They are seen as national symbols with a family history that is intimately associated with the country's history.

It must be already difficult enough for some people in Britain to accept an unconventional American bride like Meghan. If, on top of that, she publicly goes against "British tradition", hiring an American chef to make a traditionally American cake, it is obvious it will be a source of criticism.

Everything to do with Meghan will be a source of criticism in some quarters, apparently. I don't get why it's not patently obvious by now that in these modern times, a British royal prince can and will choose who he wishes to marry without the public's input. And his family has accepted his choice, by this point, quite fully and completely.

Such OTT annoyance with their choices for their own wedding day surely will not matter to the two people who are the object of all the gazing, fascination, and ongoing critiqueing.

[jacqui24]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

The point is that royals are different from ordinary celebrities or other rich people. They are seen as national symbols with a family history that is intimately associated with the country's history.

It must be already difficult enough for some people in Britain to accept an unconventional American bride like Meghan. If, on top of that, she publicly goes against "British tradition", hiring an American chef to make a traditionally American cake, it is obvious it will be a source of criticism.

So forget the fact that she has adjusted her entire life to accomodate, and even converted to the Church of England. But a mere cake raises to the level of diplomatic mistake? Even though the bakery is a UK small business that she's supporting.

And I missed the part where any non traditional fruit cake is an American cake? I thought cakes are just cakes unless it is actually specific to a region.

[Mirabel]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

BTW, the worst part of the DM's article was not in the headline.

Most of the complaints alluded to concern the service and not the cakes.
That is something Meghan and Harry don't need to worry about so it is unlikely the choice of the bakery will be a disaster.

[Pranter]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

The point is that royals are different from ordinary celebrities or other rich people. They are seen as national symbols with a family history that is intimately associated with the country's history.

It must be already difficult enough for some people in Britain to accept an unconventional American bride like Meghan. If, on top of that, she publicly goes against "British tradition", hiring an American chef to make a traditionally American cake, it is obvious it will be a source of criticism.

The idea that this is going to cause angst among the masses is laughable. If the upper crust is clutching pearls over this they need to get a reality check.

Yes she is going to have American elements at her wedding. It's unreal that you think she won't..and that it's okay to criticize her for making these choices.



LaRae

[W.Y.CII]

Originally Posted by Cocoasneeze

Interesting, that Harry, the actual royal, and an actual Briton, is completely omitted from any decision-making, and it's all Meghan. I'm thinking, that this was a joint decision, and the RF are happy with their choice.

My first reaction is they made an interesting choice so I feel very strange to see people say, it's Meghan's mistake. It's their wedding, it may be her idea but he definitely had said yes to this.

[Curbside]

Meghan is American, and fruitcake is almost universally reviled here. It is the butt of many jokes, and the word "fruitcake" is used to signify a crazy person. I have literally never heard of fruitcake being served at an American wedding.

The baker appears to be an American living in London. How weird that the couple would choose such a person to make their wedding cake. Wonder where they got an oddball idea like that???

When I got married, we saved some of our wedding cake in the freezer to have on our first anniversary.

[Royal Suitor]

This honestly feels like the best of both worlds to me. London small business is highlighted. Meghan taps her previous relationship with the owner through The Tig. Plus, the style of bakery incorporates the bride's tastes. I really like that she is continuing to work with businesses that she partnered with pre-Harry since they supported her early in her career.

While I'm sure Harry green lit the move away from fruitcake as the main cake, like most grooms, I assume Harry sat back at the cake tasting and let his fiancé take the lead. Harry may have requested fruitcake for his groom's cake to maintain tradition, but I doubt it. Weddings the world over are driven by the bride's aesthetic. The best ones bridge the bride and the groom's history, culture, and tastes. Hard to imagine why people think the royal wedding will be any different.

[DeeT]

It seems some people like to be forgetful with history. Harry & Meghan have chosen a cake that they like & plan to share it with others, just as other Royal couples have. 19 years ago Edward & Sophie had Devils Food Cake for their wedding cake.

[MaiaMia_53]

And seemingly @deet, the 'devil' remains in the details yea these many years later when it comes to royal wedding chatter/angst (now on an even greater scale of course, because of who Harry is marrying).

[DeeT]

Here are some links for the description of the cake, part of British Royal Family wedding

BBC News | UK | Chocolate surprise for Royal wedding guests

Royal Wedding Cakes Through the Ages: Prince William, Kate Middleton, Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth, Fergie

[caethi]

Cake choices are really personal. Personally I prefer a mix of pound cake and fruit cake, as is the tradition in my part of the world, but it is up to the bride and groom. Frankly, even if one is of the opinion that it should be more "traditional", we should remember that she is already giving up one tradition--having the wedding near the bride's home, friends, and family.

[evolvingdoors]

Lemon and elderflower? That’s an... umm interesting choice.
I’m a pastry chef and, there’s a reason why it’s not a common flavor choice for cakes or desserts in general. Those are two very strong flavors who can easily overpower the other.
I’d understand just lemon. Well I hope the cake is elderflower while the filling is lemon curd, that might work. Still strange flavor choice.

Also buttercream? I guess. I’ve Made many wedding cakes, and people of harry’s Monterey bracket do not use buttercream on their cake, no self respecting pastry chef would dare use buttercream for such an expensive wedding- it’s considered tacky, and is the cheaper option vs. the more luxurious fondant. It is easier and faster to work with though- hence why buttercream are cheaper than fondant ones, the decorations on a fondant cake alone can take days.

Also, when it comes to wedding cakes it is best to stick to traditional flavors (especially with large weddings- anything over 100 ppl), that’s why there’s been a boom at how the cake looks vs. flavors as a way to showcase the couple personalities.

[wyevale]

interesting choice.

Indeed.. a florist chum, who uses it a lot at late Spring weddings assures me it smells like urine...
An absolutely STELLAR choice...

[SLV]

Originally Posted by wyevale

Indeed.. a florist chum, who uses it a lot at late Spring weddings assures me it smells like urine...
An absolutely STELLAR choice...

Well, elderberries(blossom) has a lovely, distinctive, taste.

[Pranter]

Yeah..elderberry is a popular wine and preserve here. Doesn't make sense about the flower. I've never heard in my life the flowers smell like urine.


LaRae

[ACO]

Originally Posted by evolvingdoors

Lemon and elderflower? That’s an... interesting choice.
There’s a reason why it’s not a common one.

It is a preserve. Pretty common here for danishes. Urine? Interesting. I can't say I ever had that experience.