When Prince William and Kate Middleton finally say "I do" at Westminster Abbey on Friday, April 29, most of America will be asleep. The fact that one of the most hyped weddings of the century will be televised in the wee hours of the morning -- approximately 3 a.m. -- throws a wrench into the plans of Americans with a case of royal wedding fever.
But there's still hope for Angelenos who can't stand the idea of catching the wedding on repeat, or who envisioned more than sitting alone sleepy-eyed in front of the television at home. Upon realizing that the William-and-Kate obsession has crossed the Atlantic Ocean, several British pubs and restaurants are in the process of finalizing party plans so that romantics, expatriates and Anglophiles can sleep easier for the next week leading up to the big day.
Check back here for more updates, and in the meantime, here are some events worthy of their own live coverage on April 28 and April 29:
1. White Harte Pub
22456 Ventura Boulevard
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
Telephone: 818-224-3822
Party essentials:
April 29
Live viewing
Begins approximately at midnight
Guests must call and RSVP
Enforced dress code, wedding appropriate
Cost: $25, $50 depending on package
Golriz Moeini, who co-owns the White Harte Pub along with her husband Pierre Moeini and business partner Douglas Turner, said she was at the steering wheel of the royal wedding bandwagon long before anyone else jumped on -- just as soon as William and Kate announced their engagement last November. And the party she has planned reflects months of hard work.
"This is something I've been working on for a long time. I'm really excited that other people are now also getting excited and want to be a part of it," Moeini said.
While most venues are opting to show the wedding later in the day when the sun is out, the White Harte Pub is one of the few places that will have its doors open all night for a live viewing. Guests are expected to dress as if they are attending a wedding.
"People are going to feel like they're at the wedding. But instead of London, they'll be in Woodland Hills," Moeini said.
Admission fee includes flowers, cake, champagne and live love songs by Pasadena's Pure Performance, an urban jazz band. And what's a wedding without party favors? Moeini said everyone will receive pins that read, "I attended the royal wedding at the White Harte Pub."
2. The Cat & Fiddle
6530 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Telephone: 323-468-3800
Party essentials:
April 28
Happy Hour: 10 p.m. - midnight (beer, wine, well drinks: $3.50)
April 29
Midnight to 4 a.m.
"Tiaras and Pajamas: a Live Royal Wedding Viewing Party"
Cost: $20 (pre-sale tickets strongly encouraged)
Live viewing: Midnight to 4 a.m.
Ashlee Gardner, one of the managers of the Cat & Fiddle pub, said the bar is co-sponsoring a party with Brits in LA. The pub will have drink specials from 10 p.m. to midnight, then snacks and non-alcoholic drinks available for purchase between midnight and 4 a.m. while patrons enjoy the show live.
3. The Fox and Hounds
11100 Ventura Boulevard CA
Studio City, CA 91604
Telephone: 818-763-7837
Party essentials:
April 28
"William's Bachelor Party" - 9 p.m.
Cost: Free
April 29
Rerun viewings all day
Cake and champagne, 11 a.m.
Cost: Free
The Fox and Hounds is throwing a bachelor party in honor of Prince William the night before the big wedding. Manager Mark Comstock said the night of debauchery will include dancers, rock band, cigars and alcohol. Then, the pub will show mercy on its late-night partygoers by reopening its door later in the morning to serve cake and champagne and watch the wedding on BBC.
4. Whale & Ale
327 West 7th Street,
San Pedro, CA 90731
Telephone: 310-832-0363
Party essentials:
April 28
Bachelor/Bachelorette Night and Happy Hour
April 29
Free wedding cake and champagne for parties of four and more, 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.
5. Ye Olde King's Head
116 Santa Monica Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Telephone: 310-451-1402
Party essentials
April 29
King-Size Breakfast ($12.95) with complimentary glass of champagne, 9 a.m.
Royal Afternoon Tea ($18.95), 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Performance by a Beatles tribute band, 8 p.m.
Wedding viewing throughout the day
