Tri-State Area Celebrates Royal Wedding Of Prince William, Kate Middleton
GARDEN CITY, NY (CBSNewYork/AP) - The marriage of Prince William and Princess Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, was reason for celebration from one side of the pond to the other.
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Royal-watchers took in the festivities at various viewing parties across the Tri-State region.
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Hundreds gathered in Times Square to watch the nuptials displayed on jumbotrons and the big cheer went up for the kiss.
"I knew that this would be a grand event and I couldn't miss it for the world," one spectator said.
At least one couple exchanged vows at the Times Square event.
A crowd huddled underneath the Manhattan Bridge to watch the ceremony on a projection screen.
The Paley Center for Media streamed the ceremony live and urged ladies to get into the spirit by donning bridesmaid dresses while being treated to tea, scones and wedding trivia. The Waldorf-Astoria offered its recently renovated Royal Suite -- the former residence of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor -- for a British-style cocktail party on the eve of the wedding.
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Even before the sun came up, British New Yorkers gathered on Greenwich Avenue to watch the royal wedding at a viewing party at the French restaurant Lyon.
"I thought it was appropriate to break out the tiara at six o'clock in the morning," Lynne Lee, of London, said.
Sean Cavanagh-Dowsett had his eyes glued to the television as Prince William and Kate Middleton exchanged vows.
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"I thought she looked spectacular. I thought he looked really happy; really in the moment," he said. "They both seemed to be really all about each other and that's ultimately what it's about. Apart from the pomp and circumstance I just can't wish them anymore happiness."
"They seem to be really in love and that's a pretty genuine thing that I could really see in their eyes," Cavanagh-Dowsett said.
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One watcher praised Middleton's dress, saying it made her look like "a modern day Grace Kelly."
"She looked beautiful. She looked absolutely amazing. I cried a little bit," said Samantha Edwards of Tribeca.
Nikki Perry, co-owner of Tea & Sympathy, watching the royal nuptials was an emotional moment.
"I'm just thrilled and overwhelmed and trying really hard not to cry," Perry said.
She said Middleton's gown was "stunning."
"[She] just got it right. Nail on the head. No bare shoulders, no breasts hanging out -- because, you know, she's in front of the eyes of the world and there are a lot of countries that would be very offended by that," Perry said.
Some got into the spirit of things by dressing up at the Garden City Hotel on Long Island. It was like a royal fashion show - a sold out event where guests enjoyed a royal English breakfast.
But, of course, all eyes were on Kate and William.
"I loved the dress, very classic, very modern. I think she looked beautiful, and I loved the v-neck. I think that is her, classic Kate," said Renatta from Baldwin Harbor.
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Diane Baruck stood out with an emerald-green hat, saying, "I thought for today's occasion, it was perfect to wear it sideways, I think it's the first time ever that I'll ever be daring enough to wear it in broad daylight."
The Trinity Church in Lower Manhattan threw open its doors at 5 a.m. to let viewers take in the ceremony from the pews. A jumbo screen was placed at the altar.
Staffers costumed as Beefeaters greeted dozens of faux wedding-goers, who received copies of the Westminster Abbey program.
On Friday evening, six of Trinity's two dozen bell ringers who hail from England are coming together to ring six of its 12 bells in celebration of the historic occasion.
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Did you watch the royal wedding? What do you think of it? Was it beautiful or a huge waste of money? Sound off in our comments section.
