It’s coming: the biggest event of 2018… aside from the Season 2 premiere of Westworld, of course.
We’re talking about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s wedding.
If you haven’t marked your calendar yet, here are the details: The royal wedding will take place on May 19 at 12 p.m. GMT (or 7 a.m. ET and 4 a.m. PT) at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in England, with the dean of Windsor conducting the service and archbishop of Canterbury officiating.
While it hasn’t been confirmed by Kensington Palace that the ceremony will broadcast live, TMZ reports that the palace will allow cameras in the Chapel for television. Plus, Prince William and Kate Middleton’s ceremony was televised in 2011, so… it’s almost guaranteed.
That said, the ceremony is early. Not quite as early as William and Kate’s, which aired at 6 a.m. ET, but still pretty damn early for a Saturday. Which leads to the question: Is it even worth throwing a viewing party? The answer is a very enthusiastic yes!
We have everything you need to throw the best royal wedding viewing party, from what food and drinks you should serve to party invitations, fun decor and hilarious party gifts.
Send Invitations
First and foremost, you have to send the invitations!
And this kit from Etsy user Jazzdoodles is all you need to get started. Send in the information to the seller, and it'll get printed on any size card you choose.
Royal wedding watching party invitations, $15 at Jazzdoodles/Etsy
Put Up a Garland (or 2!)
What's a party without a decorative garland?
We have two options for you: one that's a bit more subtle and trendy and another with Prince Harry and Markle's faces all over 'em. Or go with both!
Royal wedding bunting garland, $36.94 at OldhausVintage/Etsy
Triangular royal wedding bunting, $14.70 at MakeItSewGoods/Etsy
Give Everyone Glittery Tiaras
What's better than a glittery tiara? A glittery tiara that says, "I'd Marry Harry." It's a true statement, after all, and all of your party guests should wear one.
Glittery Harry tiaras, $24 at TheHappyGingerCo/Etsy
Put Peonies on Display
Markle's favorite flowers are peonies, and Kensington Palace tweeted that the floral designer, Philippa Craddock, will use flowers in season, including peonies.
<div class="fr-embedly " data-original-embed="” style=”height: 440px;”>So, peonies it is!Go for clear, square vases for more of a mod look. What's great is you can get these almost anywhere, maybe even the dollar store. If you want to cut the stems down even further, go with Hearth & Hand with Magnolia's mini glass jug vases. They're so petite and adorable!
Mini glass jug vase, $4.99 at Target
Serve Commemorative Cereal
At $60 a box, this seems incredibly steep, but how often can you say you served Prince Harry and Meghan Markle cereal at a party? Etsy user Political Cereals really went all out, and we want a box now…
Wedding Rings cereal, $60 at Political Cereals/Etsy
Make Banana Muffins
Back in December 2017, it was rumored Markle already requested a very specific flavor for their wedding cake: banana.
"This will be the first royal wedding cake made from bananas," a source tells The Telegraph.
Now, Markle and Harry have apparently ditched the banana cake and settled on a lemon-elderflower-flavored cake, but the couple still loves all things banana, so these muffins will pay homage to one of the new couple's favorite flavors.
These muffins from My Baking Addiction look so delicious with their cinnamon crumb topping, and they only take 35 minutes to make. Plus, they're completely appropriate to have early in the morning.
If you aren't a muffin person, My Baking Addiction also has recipes for rum-coconut banana bread, banana Bundt cake and even banana whoopie pies. So many options!
French Meringue Macarons
What's a royal wedding viewing party without macarons? Bonus points if you serve banana-flavored macarons!
Not So Humble Pie has perfected the French meringue macaron, sharing with the blogosphere her macarons 101 tutorial. You can give her recipe a shot or go grab a box from your local bakery. Whatever you choose to do, be sure to put them on display.
Serve Champagne Sangria
Markle loves red wine, but red wine early the morning feels a little… harsh. Instead, opt for a sangria that uses Champagne instead, like this one from No Spoon Necessary. This bubbly, sweet, refreshing sangria has blood orange, pomegranate and strawberry — and I need a glass, stat.
If you and your friends are hardcore, took the day off and don't mind the red wine intake before noon, then give Stay Snatched's red wine Champagne sangria a try.
…or Opt for Strawberry Mimosas
If you're more of a mimosa fan, these strawberry mimosas from The Cookie Rookie look delicious. They're made with Champagne (of course) and Naked Berry Blast Smoothie juice. Top it off with a fresh strawberry, and you have breakfast in a flute.
Serve Coconut-Blueberry-Acai Smoothies
It's always a great idea to have a nonalcoholic beverage option, and these coconut-blueberry-acai smoothies from Kimberly Snyder are definitely appropriate. Markle is obsessed with acai bowls as much as we are. This particular smoothie, though, adds coconut and blueberry flavors — a fantastic (and healthy) morning treat.
Put Down Commemorative Coasters
Don't forget to throw down some coasters — with Prince Harry and Markle's faces.
These commemorative coasters are all you really need. Have everyone take one home with them too.
Royal heritage coasters, $10 at Amazon
Serve Fancy Avocado Toast
As we know by now, Markle is a total foodie (like the rest of us), which means she is absolutely an avocado toast fan.
With or without the runny soft-boiled egg, this avocado spread from A Beautiful Plate is so, so easy to make. You don't have to serve it on such a large piece of sourdough bread, either. Make them bite-size, but be sure they don't sit out for too long!
Have Appropriate Attire
If you have the extra money to burn, give each of your guests one of these über-cute "When Harry Met Meghan" T-shirts. They're a little pricey per shirt, but totally worth it if you have a smaller guest list.
"When Harry Met Meghan" T-shirt, $26.50 at Jazzdoodles/Etsy
Get Lit
A prayer candle with Markle's face on it? Your royal wedding viewing party isn't a real party without one.
Meghan Markle prayer candle, $12 at KLerCreations/Etsy
Give Everyone a Pair of Earrings
Or, if you're working with a smaller budget, these Harry and Markle earrings from Etsy user Witty Chicken are much cheaper.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle earrings, $8.50 at WittyChicken/Etsy
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