With the fast-approaching nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle— maybe you’ve heard of them? — it is quite likely that the topic of weddings is at the forefront of your mind.
But, if you are an American, one thing you may not realize is that the wedding you’re envisioning for Harry and Meghan isn’t exactly the one that’s going to happen.
This isn’t only because their wedding will be fit for royalty. As it turns out, there are a bunch of interesting, and fundamental differences between weddings in America versus those across the pond.
So, while you wait for your invite to the wedding of the year check out these surprising differences between British and American weddings.
British wedding toasts are more like roasts
At an American wedding, you can generally expect the toasts and speeches to rely heavily on sap and sentimentality. But at British weddings, the toasts might seem, well, rather rude.
According to Vogue, the goal of wedding speeches in the UK is to fully mortify its recipient. So, if you’re giving a toast in the US, you can prepare your standard touchy-feely fare. If you’re giving one in England, just pretend like you’re getting ready for a roast.
If you’re a woman, you probably won’t give a toast
According to Cosmopolitan, British weddings traditionally only have three sets of speeches —one from the groom, one from the father of the bride, and one from the best man.
British wedding guests wear hats
One thing you can definitely be prepared to see at the upcoming royal wedding is some fancy headwear. According to PureWow, it is royal protocol for all royal women to wear hats on official occasions. (So, yes — Kate Middleton is going to be wearing one at the upcoming royal wedding.)
And if you were wondering, this isn’t just a royal thing — according to Vogue, almost every wedding outfit in the UK tends to be topped off (literally) with a fancy hat or fascinator.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider