Royal Wedding Viewing Party Ideas

Ladies, get out your fancy hats and/or fascinators - the countdown is ON!  Less than 24 hours until the Royal Wedding!  Weeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!

Whether you are lucky enough to watch the wedding live, or you have your DVR set for a viewing party after work, you need to be totally and utterly prepared to watch the Royal Wedding in style!  Here are some fun ideas for your viewing party that would make Queen Elizabeth proud  :-)

Royal Champagne Cocktail

1/4 cup fresh or frozen (defrosted) raspberries

2 tbsp. water

1/4 cup vodka

3 tbsp. lemon juice

2 tbsp. raspberry liqueur

1-1/2 tbsp. simple syrup

1/2 cup chilled champagne or sparkling wine

fresh raspberries for garnish
Puree berries and water until smooth. Combine berry puree, vodka, lemon juice, liqueur and simple syrup in an ice-filled shaker and shake vigorously.  Divide among 2 champagne flutes and top with champagne. Garnish with raspberries.

Crack Baby

Rumored to be Prince William's favorite cocktail...

One part vodka

One part fresh puree of passion fruit

Splash of champagne on top

Blushing Duchess
2 parts vodka

3 wedges peeled and seeded grapefruit

sugar for rimming the glass

1/2 tsp sugar

1 part triple sec

Rub the grapefruit around the outside edge of the glass and then roll in the sugar.  Place the sugar and grapefruit in the bottom of a shaker, muddle thoroughly. Add vodka, triple sec and ice.  Shake well. Pour drink including ice and grapefruit into rimmed rocks glass.

Union Jack Fruit Pizza

1 pouch sugar cookie mix

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 egg

1 package cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

4 cups sliced fresh strawberries

3 cups fresh blueberries

1 cup fresh raspberries

1.  Heat oven to 350°F. Line 15x10x1-inch or 13x9-inch pan with foil. Spray bottom only of foil with cooking spray. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter and egg until soft dough forms. Press evenly in bottom of pan. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

2.  In small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Spread mixture over cooled crust.

3.  Arrange fruit over cream cheese. Refrigerate at least 1 hour until chilled. Serves 20.

Tea Sandwich Flats

1 can crescent dinner rolls

2 oz. cream cheese, softened

2 oz. soft goat cheese

pinch garlic powder

fresh dill, basil, or thyme

1/2 cup deli egg salad

6 cucumber slices

3 radishes

1/4 yellow bell pepper

1.  Heat oven to 375°F. Unroll dough onto ungreased cookie sheet to form 12x8-inch rectangle, and firmly press perforations to seal.

2.  Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely, about 20 minutes. Cut into 24 (2x2-inch) squares.

3.  For goat cheese topping, in medium bowl, stir together cream cheese, goat cheese, garlic powder and 1 teaspoon dill. Spoon about 2 teaspoons cheese mixture onto each of 12 crescent squares. Top with veggies and additional fresh herbs.

4.  For egg salad topping, spoon about 2 teaspoons egg salad onto each of 12 remaining crescent squares. Top with veggies and additional fresh herbs.

Royal Blue Velvet Cake

Inspired by Kate's heirloom sapphire engagement ring...

For Cake:

1 box white cake mix

1-1/4 cups buttermilk

1/3 cup vegetable oil

3 eggs

1 tbsp. unsweetened baking cocoa

2 tsp. royal blue paste food color

1 toothpick-full violet paste food color

For Icing:

1 jar marshmellow creme

1 cup butter or margarine, softened

2-1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/8 tsp. salt

1.  Heat oven to 325°F. Grease bottom and sides of three 8-inch round cake pans with shortening and lightly flour, or spray with baking spray with flour.

2.  In large bowl, beat all cake ingredients with electric mixer on low speed about 30 seconds or until moistened. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.

3.  Divide batter evenly among pans. Bake 23 to 28 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched in center. Cool 15 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely.

4.  In large microwavable bowl, microwave marshmallow creme uncovered on High 15 to 20 seconds to soften. Add butter. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in powdered sugar and salt until smooth.

5.  If necessary, trim rounded tops of two cake layers to flatten before assembling. Place 1 cake layer, top side down, on serving plate; spread with about 1/3 cup frosting. Top with second layer, top side down; spread with about 1/3 cup frosting. Top with untrimmed cake layer, top side up. Frost side and top of cake with remaining frosting.  Serves 16. 

Must-Have Table Decorations

Fairy-tale inspired carriage centerpiece

Elegant-themed paper products fit for royalty

Coasters

Princess-themed tea lights

And don't be ashamed to wear that tiara that you have in your closet - you can guarantee that I'll be wearing mine!  Cheers!