Hello! Today is going to be about just one thing, the good excuse to have a party and the AMAZING effort my Parents-in-Law went to, to decorate their home with all things red, white, blue and patriotic, last Friday, that famous day of the Royal wedding.
Alan and Susan (my parents-in-Law), went all out on getting things to create a fantastic atmosphere. They went to a huge effort, and I think the success of our day wasn't down to watching the wedding on t.v. so much as the tremendous party Alan and Susan put on for us all.
We were sent a special 'by Royal command' invitation to the party, which set the feeling for the day just perfectly, and the dress code was red, white and blue.
The boys were all presented with Union Jack socks (see the first picture of this post), and us girls were givem either a copy of Kate Middleton's engagement ring, or earrings similar to the ring.
Can you see the copy of the engagement ring I'm wearing in the picture above? I love it!
I found out much later that I'd drunk far too much sparkly stuff. The older I get, the less resistance I have to getting a headache when I drink alcohol. I do like a bit of bubbly though, don't you?!
Susan did a tremendous job keeping us well fed with yummy food, Alan did a great job of topping up our glasses, and Cassie (Hugo's Niece) did a fantastic job making a biscuit fridge cake, the one that is meant to be Prince William's favourite cake, and was apparently at the wedding breakfast.
There were ten humans and three dogs all watching the ceremony on the t.v.
I took my knitting with me, but ended up being so fascinated by the extraordinary spectacle on the television I didn't touch my knitting.
All those happy faces! Wonderful to see, and nice to enter into the spirit of it all. There's something very joyful about being happy along with millions of other people, I really enjoyed that.
Kate looked so beautiful didn't she? I'd been thinking about what style of wedding dress she might wear, that morning, and I thought the Grace Kelly lace and simplicity would look beautiful on her, so imagine how strange it felt when I saw her wearing something reminiscent of Grace Kelly's wedding dress.
Yes, what a lovely day, thank you so much Alan and Susan, for making it something extra special.
Douglas, my dear darling Douglas, was pretty much stuck to Hugo or myself the whole day. He's terrified of children, it might have something to do with a child grabbing his nose and twisting it when he was very little.
I don't know if you know the blog 'coffee with a canine'? Well, Ellie and Douglas were approached a few weeks ago, about starring on that blog, and you can see the results here. It's a short interview.
Righty-ho, I'm going to have a little walk in the evening sunshine now, I haven't been out all day. Hugo's away sailing for a week with three other lads, on the West Coast of Scotland, so my days are to be run to my own rythmn, which is actually just working, and more work. I'm missing Hugo.
Cheerio then! Love Vanessa xxx
Looks like a great party. We had thought through some plans for a party, but since it meant a slumber party and awake until 3am...on the day of our play opening mind you, I just could not manage it. sigh. ~Kelly
Posted by: Kelly | May 02, 2011 at 06:38 PM
What a great day you had! you obviously enjoyed it as much as William and Catherine! If only you'd invited W and C to your party....
Posted by: Gill | May 02, 2011 at 06:47 PM
Looks like you had a fab day/party. I'm very proud to be English - it was amazing - loved it. x Leah x
Posted by: faith76 | May 02, 2011 at 06:53 PM
I wasn't going to watch the wedding at all, I was supposed to be working. My son invited me to a party at his school in the morning, and I couldn't resist. It was good fun, and I'm glad I went, Kate looked fabulous, I really liked her dress. It was fun spotting famous people in the crowd.
Posted by: Jacqueline | May 02, 2011 at 06:54 PM
Oh what fun! No parties here in my neck of the woods - but I did wake up early enough (4:00 am - just as William and Harry were arriving at the church) to watch the wedding before heading off to work. Even though it was a regular workday here, we had fun going back and forth to the internet to see interviews, recaps of the ceremony and everything else that was available through the web. Since I share Queen Elizabeth's name and I was the born the year of her coronation, it's no wonder that I'm an avid Royals Groupie. I think all your red/white/blue decorations and treats look delicious and I'm so glad you had such a fun time.
Posted by: Liz W in Missouri, USA | May 02, 2011 at 07:03 PM
It was a great day and a beautiful wedding and you certainly celebrated it in style! :)
Vivienne x
Posted by: greenrabbitdesigns | May 02, 2011 at 07:05 PM
What a fantastic party! They certainly went all out. Looks like you all had so much fun. Love the idea of Kate Middleton ring copies - yours looks brilliant!
Posted by: skirmishofwit | May 02, 2011 at 07:19 PM
Looks as if you had a fantastic day. Absolutely love the photos of the dogs!
June
Posted by: June | May 02, 2011 at 07:36 PM
What a wonderful party. I think the wedding was so beautiful, except Charles, Camilla and the Queen had sour puss faces on. I feel bad for your baby, but know that you are not alone. My big 85 pound Goldren Retriever is so scared of children, he shakes when they come near. A little girl stepped on his tail when he was 6 months old, and he still holds it against all children.
Have a great day,
Meredith
Posted by: Meredith | May 02, 2011 at 07:38 PM
I should just like to say tremendous effort to your in Laws, wow what a brilliant day!
Wasn't it all just so perfectly lovely?
Sarah xXx
Posted by: sarah-jane down the lane | May 02, 2011 at 07:57 PM
What a great way to celebrate and it looks like you all had lots of fun.
The wedding was stunning, I just couldn't stop watching it!
love
Lyn
xxx
Posted by: lyn | May 02, 2011 at 08:10 PM
What a fabulous day you had and it was such a special wedding I found the whole thing really uplifting and felt proud to be British.Have to say I love champagne it is my one weakness along with chocolate Brazils and maltesers and peanut M&Ms,walnut whips.........Anne x
Posted by: Anne Reed | May 02, 2011 at 08:24 PM
Wonderful pictures - so lovely to see how you celebrated (and FAB necklace too!!)
We had a street party after the service - definitely something to celebrate with others.
X
Posted by: Sarah | May 02, 2011 at 09:14 PM
Oh what a great day and the effort gone into it - great fun!!! Hmm quite jealous now didnt think to do anything like that lol xx
Posted by: ali.b. | May 02, 2011 at 09:21 PM
Looks like a fabulous day at your In-laws! I'm glad you had a good time.Audrey is in fine fettle! I love seeing her little face every time I go into work! She is being much admired and enjoyed! Hope the days fly by and Hugo is back before you can say Jack Robinson! xxxx
Posted by: amanda makes | May 02, 2011 at 10:10 PM
Loved seeing what a great party you had Vanessa and so lovely of your in-laws to go to such effort. Looked great fun. We didn't watch it, but I do love the idea of people coming together and celebrating whatever the occassion.
Must go and check out your gorgeous dogs interviews.
Oh and thank you for your lovely message. Really lifted me as feeling very nervous indeed right now.
X
Posted by: Bobo Bun | May 02, 2011 at 10:39 PM
What a wonderful party - you certainly celebrated the Royal Wedding in style!!! I really enjoyed the wedding and have bought souvenir newspapers and even have the royal kiss as my laptop background picture!!
Changing subject - just wondered if you have seen the two articles on Julie Arkell recently?? The first in the latest edition of "Making" magazine and the other in the spring/summer edition of Debbie Bliss knitting magazine - thought of you when I saw them! :)
Posted by: Janet Brown | May 02, 2011 at 10:39 PM
Looks like you had a great time- only two ways to approach a day like Friday, really go for it as you did, or just carry on as normal,which is what we did...partly as I still remember the pain of the champagne hangover last royal wedding day...
Posted by: Kate | May 02, 2011 at 11:15 PM
Even if we are not British (100% Italian!), I and my two little boys had our eyes glued on the screen while watching the Royal Wedding! It was so nice and even moving, like a classic fairy tale! So glad you did enjoy it, too!
P.S.: even Pippa was amazing!
Posted by: Alessandra | May 03, 2011 at 01:30 AM
Dear Vanessa, you are so lucky to have married into such a wonderful, generous, fun-loving family! Looks like a jolly good time was had by all. Lucky hubby sailing for a week, on what kind of boat and where? We have a sailboat and I lived aboard in the San Juan Islands WA for 4 months and singlehanded it in the San Juan channel. Glad you liked my little Buddy dog! You're so sweet.
Hugs, Teresa
Posted by: Teresa Kasner | May 03, 2011 at 02:42 AM
Wow, that's what I call a party. Looks like it was so much fun!!!! Thank you thank you, I received my note cards. I love them and boy did they come fast. Have a great week.
xoRobinâ¤
Posted by: Robin | May 03, 2011 at 02:43 AM
Looks like you all had a wonderful day, It's so nice to see people making a real effort to celebrate it well done to you all. Hugo must be sailing round my neck of the woods at the mo and as I can see the sea from my house tell him to give us a wave on his way past lol. Enjoy some quiet time whilst he's away and can't wait to see your next masterpiece.
Have fun Pene x
Posted by: Pene | May 03, 2011 at 08:01 AM
What a fab post! I'm really enjoying the different, homely ways everyone spent the day. Your party looks so fun, and the food delicious.
I watched most of it alone with my Twitter friends - which worked out very nicely as it was great fun and sort of felt as though I was in some amazing pub with loads of great people. I live in a house of boys and I struggled to get them interested; they got up after Kate had left for the church. The scones won them over in the end, but I didn't care anyway - it allowed me to have a little weep without them laughing at me!
It was a fabulous day.
Posted by: Claire Boynton | May 03, 2011 at 12:19 PM
What a wonderful party for a wonderful day. x
Posted by: Victoria | May 03, 2011 at 12:53 PM
Looks like you all had a rather grand day and what fabulous attention to detail on your parent-in-law's behalf! There is nothing like a glas or 2...3 of bubbly and yes I agree with you about it being such a special day for the whole nation. As for Kate's dress well, say no more, it was simply exquisite xox Hope you have a good week, don't work too hard without Hugo there xox take care x
Posted by: Penelope | May 03, 2011 at 04:42 PM
I can't comment long, I just had to stop reading to tell you that I am "LOVING" it - I feel like I was there. I would have had a blast had I really been there. On to more reading. Carolina
Posted by: THe Muse of The Day | May 03, 2011 at 06:31 PM
Loved the dog interview and am still laughing that Ellie did a poo at the bank!
Posted by: paintdropskeepfalling.wordpress.com | May 03, 2011 at 08:51 PM
Vanessa, check out my blog! Thank you again. LOVE THEM!
xoRobinâ¤
Posted by: Robin | May 04, 2011 at 03:38 PM
I thought the wedding was absolutely beautiful and I sat entranced in front of the telly for hours and hours (I hardly watch any usually). The dresses were gorgeous and everyone looked beautiful or handsome and I enjoyed putting the horrible news in the world to one side for a few hours. Lots of smiley happy faces for once. I did nothing special myself and seeing all your celebrations I feel I let a good opportunity go to waste a bit. You all look to be having a great time! Sadly not everyone teaches their children to be nice to animals, poor little Douglas! I hope he wasn't too traumatized. Perhaps Nannie McPhee should pay some children a visit. (I watched that after the wedding!) I love the ring - noticed that straight away! Very regal.
Posted by: Siobhan | May 04, 2011 at 05:24 PM
Oh my!! That is amazing!! If you like that you will LOVE my day....http://reyburnphotography.blogspot.com/2011/04/royal-wedding.html
Posted by: Karen Reyburn | May 11, 2011 at 02:51 PM