How to Celebrate the Royal Wedding Locally

Whether it's the historical factor, a fascination with royalty, an interest in British culture or a fondness for extravagant celebrations, many people around the world will be glued to their TV sets Friday to watch the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

But if your royal invitation was lost in the mail, you can still view the wedding via television and partake of British culture right here in San Marino!

If you absolutely must watch the Royal Wedding live, it will be broadcast on the west coast at 3 a.m. Friday. Thankfully, networks will re-broadcast it later in the day or you can record it so you can get some royal beauty sleep. This LA Times article has a rundown of the channels and times for this week's Royal Wedding-related programming and the Royal Wedding itself and the official Royal Wedding site has all the latest details about the occasion.

Here are local ways to get into the Royal Wedding spirit:

Partake of English Tea

What would a British celebration be without a proper tea?

will debut its new afternoon tea on Friday in honor of William and Kate. From 1 p.m to 3:30 p.m., get a prix fixe menu of tea sandwiches, mini scones, bite-size desserts like mini fruit tarts and tea for $15.

Though 's Rose Garden Tea Room is not having a special tea in honor of the Royal Wedding, their usual English tea is just as regal. The buffet includes petite scones in flavors like blueberry-rosemary and apricot, served with jam, marmalade and clotted cream; tea bread, tea sandwiches, salads, cheeses, fresh fruit, and petite sweets like shortbread cookies, lemon bars and chocolate mousse cups. Don't forget a pot of fresh brewed tea, of course. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: noon to 4:30 p.m. (last seating at 3:30 p.m.) Sat. - Sun.: 10:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (last seating at 3:30 p.m.)

The nearby Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa is combining its Royal Tea with a viewing of Royal Wedding news coverage on Friday in the luxurious Tap Room. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. patrons can get savory tea sandwiches, scones with Devonshire cream, fruit tarts, mousse torts, crème brûlées, a variety of the finest teas and Kir Royale cocktails for $59 per person. Reservations required; call (626) 585-6218.

Throw a Royal Wedding Viewing Party

Set a British Royal Wedding scene at home and invite some friends over to watch and discuss the big event. If you are ordering prepared food for your party be sure to order or call ahead to ensure that the food you want will be available.

PARTY FOOD

This culinary wonderland has scones and tea cakes in various flavors as well as housemade lemon curd and other accompaniments. Marzipan petit fours decorated like small gift boxes are filled with delicious creations like lemon curd and vanilla buttercream, bittersweet chocolate with lavender cream and others. Cans of Olde English creamy caramels are also available, as are boxes of teas. Julienne also has an array of delectable prepared salads, entrees and other desserts that aren't necessarily British-themed, but your palate won't mind the difference.

Order or pick up scones, green salads, chicken salad perfect alone or in tea sandwiches, chocolate-covered strawberries, fruit tarts and more. 

PARTY DECOR

Small rhinestone crown combs, blinking crowns and wedding cake-shaped bottles of bubbles can add flair to your celebration.

Crown plate stands, crown chair covers, mini wedding snowglobes and other wedding items will make for a fun and festive setting for the royal "I dos".

Practicality and style meet with decorative paper plates and napkins plus a serving tray adorned with pictures of tea pots and tea cups.

Experience Rare British Finds

 recently debuted its Revisiting the Regency exhibit, which commemorates a particularly significant decade in British history. View first editions of Pride and Prejudice, Frankenstein and other works as well as an autographed Beethoven score, political cartoons and more in this 70-piece collection. Read more about Revisiting the Regency in .