You don't have to be in England to be part of the celebration.
Royal Wedding fever has spread to Utah where some are purchasing William and Kate memorabilia.
Yes, you could take a quick trip across the pond or you could simply step inside Salt Lake's London Market and see a shop devoted to all things British and recently a focus on Prince William and Kate Middleton.
How will shoppers remember the big day?
The market has the official commemorative china with the couple's names, the location of Westminster Abbey and the date. But at 91 dollars a plate, it tops the price list.
However, a 'wedding fever sign' leads you to all things British in the goodies department – there are Nestle's Shreddies cereal boxes, bottles of barley water and biscuits, to name a few and, oh, tea.
The manager, Betty Ann Regenass who grew up in what used to be Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, said, "People are already coming in and saying 'What have you got that we can have? We'd just like to take some little memento or something, we're having this party or this breakfast or we're having a lunch or we're getting up at 2 o'clock in the morning and we're going to watch." She is personally caught up in it. She still has newspapers from Queen Elizabeth's wedding and coronation. "So, when finally the decision was made for Prince William to become engaged, I was thrilled and I think most people are. They look like a wonderful couple and happy and relaxed and that's wonderful."
And what about an invitation to the Royal Wedding? Didn't get one? So sorry but why not buy your own at The London Market, just fill in your name. I may not be able to go either, you know - work."
But you can make yourself feel right at home next door at Elizabeth, a Bakery and Tea Shop. The manager and staff have invited customers to wear fancy hats and have pictures taken with an impressively framed portrait of Queen Elizabeth, Prince William's grandmother. A monitor will continually loop the royal wedding on Friday.
"We've had tons of phone calls," said Tara Duff, manager and head baker, " asking what we're doing, asking us to cater people's private parties. So, we've got lots of special orders for tarts and crumpets and scones. " She thinks Americans get caught up in these royal weddings because frankly, we have nothing like them. "You don't ever have big presidential weddings. So, this is an international event. It's not just about England, it's a world-famous wedding. People who didn't grow up with it, like I did, make more of a fuss about it."
We realize not everyone is fascinated with the nuptials of Wills and Kate, as they are known among friends but
Jeff Pond of South Jordan, who served a Latter-day Saint mission in England 5 years ago learned all about the festivities. He admits he didn't know much about the monarchy but he watched the last royal wedding - Prince Charles and Camilla, friends explained what was who was who and what was going on.."There is so much going on within England, itself. Every duke has his own story. Anyone who knows anything about the Royal Family is going to let you know what's going on and it makes it a lot more entertaining." So, will he get up very early on Friday morning to watch the royal wedding? Well,' he said with a laugh, " maybe I'll have to TIVO it."
Both The London Market and Elizabeth Bakery and Tea Shop will have monitors with the Royal Wedding all day. 10% off the royal wedding merchandise at the market. And the Tea Shop will extend hours Friday, staying open until 7:30 for the 'after work crowd' to have a chance to celebrate.