Fasten your Fascinators
5 top places in DFW to watch the royal wedding if your invitation fell into the pond
Hats on and pinkies up for the wedding of the year — the royal marrying-off of Prince Harry of Wales to American actress Meghan Markle — taking place May 19 on a TV screen near you.
Rather, taking place in Britain and beamed around the globe for all the world to watch. ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, BBC, PBS, E! — they'll all provide hours of coverage of the blessed event, which starts at the blessedly normal hour of noon there, but (bloody!) 6 am locally.
Royal superfans won't mind the gap in time zones, of course. Some may even feel so jolly good, they'll want to celebrate with fellow Anglophiles. In case your invitation fell into the pond on its way over, here are five top places to watch the wedding and toast the bride and groom in Dallas-Fort Worth.
The British Emporium
The British Emporium in Grapevine is the most British spot in Dallas-Fort Worth and, hence, the best place to watch the royal wedding. They'll set up a 10-foot screen in the parking lot for a viewing party that begins at 5 am. And, true to the cause, they'll show the BBC's coverage. English tea and breakfast snacks will be served, as will cupcakes in the official royal wedding cake flavor — lemon-elderflower — prepared by a local baker. Guests are encouraged to bring a chair and dress in British wedding attire — including hats and fascinators — as prizes will be awarded. The store expects about 200 people, so be there by 5:45 am to secure a spot. Afterwards, you can take photos with cardboard cutouts of the royal couple and shop for Harry and Megan souvenirs, including mugs, books, flags, and more. Admission is free.
DFW movie theaters
The big day comes to the big screen with the help of Fathom Events and streaming service BritBox. About 200 theaters around the country will feature a presentation of ITV’s royal wedding coverage in an encore performance several hours after the actual event takes place. "Harry & Meghan: The Royal Wedding" will be shown, uninterrupted and commercial free, at 10 am. Participating theaters around Dallas-Fort Worth include North East Mall 18 in Hurst, NorthPark Center 15 in Dallas, Tinseltown USA in Plano, and more. Tickets are $10.
The Londoner
The Londoner restaurant in Colleyville will open at the crack of dawn to serve hot tea, scones, clotted cream, and sausage rolls in time to watch the ceremony at 6 am. Bonus that the celebration and watch party will serve as a pre-party for the FA Cup soccer final (to be held later that day) in British fashion.
The Rustic
The Rustic will host a special, mid-morning Jam & Toast Brunch after the nuptials have taken place. The Uptown Dallas eatery invites guests to get into the spirit by wearing a bridesmaid dress. Or, just bring one along to donate for students who can’t afford a prom dress. Everyone who participates in the drive will receive $1 mimosas during brunch. In case you sleep in, the restaurant will replay wedding highlights on several TVs throughout the event. Brunch is $16.95 per person, and festivities will last from 10 am-2 pm.
Hotel St. Germain
Hotel St. Germain in Dallas is going full-out Royal Wedding Week, with events leading up to the big day, and one afterwards. Festivities begin May 17 with a royal cocktail reception that includes pastries, tea, cocktail or champagne from 4-7 pm ($30). May 18 brings a 7 pm "Dinner with the Queen," a six-course Windsor wine dinner — including smoked salmon and beef Wellington — with Bollinger champagne ($150). On wedding day, May 19, if you stay in a suite, you can wake up to a full English breakfast delivered by a butler at 6 am while you watch the royal wedding in your room. And on May 20, the festivities continue with champagne brunch from 11 am-2 pm ($35). For reservations, call 214-871-2516.