 | | | Wedding guests wait for their princes in the carriage Photo Cathy Dausman
| | | | | | The carriage and red carpet were in place, and Union Jacks fluttered in the breeze. Honored guests were dressed to the nines. It was time to celebrate the April 29th marriage of Will and Kate. But this was not London-this was Lafayette. This was a Royal Wedding Tea Party hosted for twenty five elementary school children and their parents, all friends of Caroline Somary. On sun-drenched backyard tables piled high with craft supplies, guests drew London double-decker busses, assembled floral bouquets, corsages and made royal figures and miniature castles. The menu featured apple and black currant punch, apricot and strawberry jam tarts, egg salad and cucumber tea sandwiches, and royal cupcakes.
Somary said one young guest loved the jam tarts so much he returned two days later for a second helping.
A rack of princess dresses stood ready for young guests to use. Somary set the party tone herself in a tea length, white polka dot dress and matching hat, a loan from the owner of Sandy's Unique Boutique. "This is such a beautiful little town," Somary said of his generous gesture.
For Somary the event was less about "princess glitter" and more about a chance for her guests to learn the "heritage and history" of her native England. The guests came with their own Royal Questions, such as where William and Kate will live, and was it actually a holiday in England on their wedding day.
The importance of the occasion, however, escaped at least one young attendee. "I don't know," was her short reply when questioned about the bride and groom. She returned her attention to the craft table.
Somary was born in Cheshire County, England, near the town of Manchester. She moved to the U.S. 10 years ago and to Lafayette three years later. She and her husband own SpringLoaf Catering.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA