Friday's nuptials of Kate Middleton and Prince William have plenty of people giddy. Um, us, too.
To celebrate the big event, we assembled royal ringers from our recent look-alike contest for an official wedding portrait. Colleen McGlamery, 22 and a recent University of Arizona grad, scored the most votes in the online voting contest. A spot-on Kate, the recruiter for Berwick Insurance Group won a $300 gift certificate to A Tailor Tuxedo & Bridal Shop.
Doesn't matter if these Tucsonans are a loooong plane ride away from jolly old England, strangers still ask if they're members of the royal family.
Sahuaro High School senior Tyler Goswick, 18, said his parents actually egg him on to do a British accent whenever people comment on his uncanny resemblance to Prince Harry.
Jason Munday - aka Wills - has been told since he was a teenager that he looks like the prince.
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"There was actually a lady one day, this lady from England, while I was at a car repair place," said Munday, 27, a science major at the University of Arizona. "She stopped me and said, 'Oh, you so resemble the prince.'"
Even as a teen working as a bank page in New York, Elizabeth Dehler was told her she looked like Queen Elizabeth - or her sister, Princess Margaret.
"My husband teases me every so often and says 'The queen is here,' " Dehler, 74, said. "I've had this my whole life."
Gown trends
Here comes the bride, all dressed in.....
Well, that's the big question - what will Kate Middleton be wearing when she walks down the aisle Friday to marry Prince William?
Lace is Esther Green's guess.
"She's a very elegant, sophisticated young lady," said Green, bridal manager for A Tailor Tuxedo & Bridal Shop. "I picture her in something more fitted, obviously more modern … Lace is an elegant fabric, so I could see her doing something like that. It would fit her look and personality."
Green figures Middleton will opt for a shorter, modern veil and a small tiara - if she even wears one. Some British media are reporting that flowers will grace Middleton's lustrous locks.
Since the couple is marrying at the start of a new design season, any ooh and aah-worthy features from Middleton's dress probably won't show up in bridal fashions until the next season debuts around November, Green guesses.
As for current bridal fashions, that "Mad Men" influence - fit and flared - which is big in everyday wear is popular in bridal gowns, too, Green said.
Also popular are unusual details like ruffles or rosettes and corset backs, which offer flexibility in the gown's fit.
Nummy nuptials
Bet you bangers and mash aren't on the royal wedding menu.
They aren't around these parts, either. More and more brides and grooms are turning their weddings into events fit for the Food Network.
Instead of spending lavishly on elaborate decor, more couples are opting to create memorable culinary experiences, said Dasha Ross, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort's catering manager who handles weddings.
"Brides are really focused on sustainable food and local food," she added.
Traditional sit-down dinners are out - interactive stations that allow guests to watch and help create their meals are in.
"Brides seem to like that - more of a fun atmosphere where there's not really assigned seating," Ross said.
Examples of more creative culinary receptions include serving up local favorites like fish tacos and comfort food, she said.
Local festivities
Royal Wedding Reception and Viewing Party
It's the next best thing to being there. Loews Ventana Canyon Resort's upper terrace will transform into a wedding-worthy setting with Marie Antoinette high-back white leather tufted couches, Lucite tables, English topiaries and floral arrangements that pay tribute to Middleton's 18-carat sapphire and diamond engagement ring.
When: A champagne reception starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday with the taped viewing beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, 7000 North Resort Drive,
Cost: $10 per person includes light hors d'oeuvres, wedding cake and a champagne toast.
Details: Reservations are required. Call 299-2020.
"Celebrating A Royal Wedding"
The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton will be choreographed to a soundtrack from the Westminster Abbey Choir, the Chapel Royal Choir, The London Chamber Orchestra and the Fanfare Team from the Central Band of the Air Force.
And Paul McCartney has been asked to sing.
The UA School of Music can't top that, but it is offering some English musical royalty in the works of Sir Edward Elgar, Sir William Walton and William Shakespeare.
The UA Philharmonic and Arizona Symphony orchestras, will join the Arizona and Symphonic choirs for the festive all-Brit bash.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Where: Crowder Hall, East Speedway and North Park Avenue.
Cost: $5.
Details: 621-1162 or www.music.arizona.edu
Watching it
• Multiple channels will devote solid chunks of programming to the royal wedding. BBC and MSNBC start their coverage at midnight. ABC, NBC, FOX News, CNN and E! go live at 1 a.m. and CBS at 2 a.m. The Learning Channel will begin its coverage starting at 3:30 a.m., with televised post-ceremony specials throughout the day.
• For the rest of the month Comcast's On Demand and online XfinityTV.com will have special programming relating to the royal wedding. Cox has no plans beyond regular programming.
• YouTube (www.youtube.com/theroyalchannel) is offering live Internet coverage through the newlyweds' appearance on the palace balcony.
• Prince William's press office will also provide a live blog.
The cast of look-alikes and their counterparts
Kate Middleton
Colleen McGlamery, 22, a recruiter for Berwick Insurance Group
Prince William
Jason Munday, 27, a science major at the University of Arizona
Prince Harry
Tyler Goswick, 18, a senior at Sahuaro High School
Prince Charles
Bruce Bederman, 54, a semi-retiree who works as an extra and performs with Territorial Troopers reenactment group
Queen Elizabeth
Elizabeth Dehler, 74, retired
One of the queen's beloved corgis
Spike Corneliussen, almost a year old and the beloved pet of Mark Corneliussen and Kathryn Conrad
Several local businesses gave our look-alikes the royal treatment
The wedding party was outfitted by A Tailor Tuxedo & Bridal Shop, 2455 N. Campbell Ave.
The bridal gown is by Casablanca Bridal Couture ($1,600). "Kate" is wearing earrings by KLEO jewelry ($99) and a Jessica McClintock hairpiece and veil ($200).
The groom's party sports cutaway tuxedos ($130) with ascots. Put your phone down, Anglophiles. We know the princes will most likely wear military uniforms. This is our version of the royal wedding - and we think tuxes look spiffier.
The "queen" wore a gown from Impression Bridal's La Perle collection ($300).
The bridal bouquet was designed by Petra Wunn of Focus on Flowers, 1607 W. Grant Road. Andrea Jimenez from Imagen Salon & Day Spa, 475 E. Vuelta Caminata Del Rio in Oro Valley, did the bride-to-be's hair and makeup.
Photos were taken at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. Frostings Event Design & Rentals (591-4964) provided the "Marie Antoinette" high-backed leather sectional.
