Champagne, cucumber sandwiches and connection

There was champagne and cucumber sandwiches. Pink pavlovas and dainty creme cakes. Cubed cheese and green pickled onions spiked artfully onto an orange. Punch with a generous splash or three of vodka. A tribe of kids in all their finery. Oh, and their mothers, standing around in their too-tight wedding gowns.

We were at a friend's house, celebrating the royal wedding. And somehow it all made sense us being there, even if we didn't give a rats arse about royalty in our day-to-day lives. I suspect it's the appeal of marking something momentous with a ritual of our own (think election day get-togethers, footy finals barbecues, Grammy awards booze-ups). That way, in 30 years time when little William Junior weds, we will remember where we were on the day his parents got married. With any luck, we will also remember what we ate, and who we ate it with.

As we watched and commented on all the spectacle and pomp, I couldn't help wondering how many more of us commoners were congregated in lounge rooms across the world, feasting and talking whilst we waited for ''the kiss''?

It appears that many, common and not so common, were also united by the idea of a right royal feast on the day. Here's an eclectic snapshot from around the world...

Hardened Scottish inmates were treated to delights such as the ‘Kiss me Kate Goodie Bag’
From drinking Mimosas in South Texas, to eating strawberry cakes in Amsterdam, 172 people joined the BBC's Royal wedding feast on Facebook to report on their own events around the world.
In the town where William did most of his growing up, more than 500 people sat down to a royal feast at the Chipping of Tetbury.
Post-kiss, the royal couple and their 650 guests enjoyed Scottish Highland beef and a smattering of canapes (about 10,000 of them).

And just in case any of you were wondering what was on the menu of other past notable wedding feasts (A swan, stuffed with a lark, stuffed with a sparrow, featured in a three-day feast hosted by Henry VIII), you can read about it here.

The royals can have their fine feasts, and we ours. I know which one I prefer. More punch anyone?