Royal Wedding

It's only 1 week away....aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!! I'm super exicted for the obvious reasons but I'm taking the day off to get up early and watch with two of my good friends. I don't know quite how early we're getting up but probably around 5 am? Ha, since the wedding happens at 11 BST, then its about 6 am EST. Yikes, that's early!!

Well, if you're like me then you've had an eye on Royal Wedding Extravagenza 2011 and you know all the details, but in case you're not, here are a few:

Grandsons rarely need a grandmother's approval to marry. But in William's case, there's a little something called the Royal Marriages Act of 1772 to worry about. It requires the sitting monarch to formally approve the marriages of most direct descendants of King George II.

The Middleton Coat of Arms

Three acorns, symbolizing the Middleton children, and a flash of gold to represent Kate's mother, Carole, are at the heart of the design. But there's more meaning to the choice of imagery than meets the eye.

In addition to signifying the princess-to-be and her siblings Pippa, 27, and James, 24, the acorns also hark back to the oak trees that grow near Kate's home in Bucklebury, Berkshire.

Puns are also traditional in heraldry design, so the designers at the College of Arms used gold for the thick band in the middle to represent Carole's maiden name: Goldsmith.

The two white chevrons on each side of the band are meant to denote hills and mountains and represent "outdoor pursuits that the family enjoy together," according to a statement released Tuesday. The blue ribbon above the shield-like design signifies an unmarried daughter.

This coat of arms, which will stay with the Middletons, will be merged with Prince William's when the couple is married, and a new design will be constructed for the Princess (a process that takes several months).

As for the official, to-the-minute "ceremonial timings" on the big day (all London time):

Between 8:15 a.m. and 9:45 a.m.
The general congregation will arrive at the Great North Door of Westminster Abbey.

From 9:50 a.m.
Governors-General and Prime Ministers of Realm Countries, the Diplomatic Corps and other distinguished guests arrive at the Abbey.

10:10 a.m.
The Bridegroom and Prince Henry of Wales leave Clarence House. They arrive Westminster Abbey at 10:15 a.m.

10:20 a.m.
Members of Foreign Royal Families arrive at Westminster Abbey from Buckingham Palace.
Mrs. Michael (Carole) Middleton and Mr. James Middleton leave the Goring Hotel. They arrive Westminster Abbey at 10:27 a.m.

10:25 a.m.
Members of the Royal Family (except those listed below) leave Buckingham Palace. They arrive Westminster Abbey at 10:30 a.m.

10:35 a.m.
The following Members of the Royal Family leave Buckingham Palace. They arrive Westminster Abbey at 10:40 a.m.:
The Duke of York
Princess Beatrice of York
Princess Eugenie or York
The Earl and Countess of Wessex
The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence

10:38 a.m.
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall leave Clarence House. They arrive Westminster Abbey at 10:42 a.m.

10:40 a.m.
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh leave Buckingham Palace. They arrive Westminster Abbey at 10:45 a.m.

10:45 a.m.
The Bridesmaids and Pages leave the Goring Hotel. They arrive Westminster Abbey at 10:55 a.m.

10:51 a.m.
The Bride, accompanied by Mr. Michael Middleton, leaves the Goring Hotel for Westminster Abbey.

11:00 a.m.
The Marriage Service begins (and will be relayed by audio speakers along the route).

12:15 p.m.
The Carriage Procession of the Bride and Bridegroom with a Captain's Escort of the Household Cavalry, followed by The Queen's Procession with a Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry, leaves Westminster Abbey for Buckingham Palace.

12:30 p.m.
The Bride's Carriage Procession arrives at Buckingham Palace.

12:40 p.m.
Members of the Royal Family and Members of Foreign Royal Families arrive at Buckingham Palace.

From 12:40 p.m.
Other guests for the Reception arrive at Buckingham Palace.

1:25 p.m.
The Queen and the Bride and Bridegroom, together with their Families, appear on the Balcony.

1:30 p.m.
Fly Past by the Royal Air Force and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Then the Queen's reception begins!