I think I'm developing Royal Wedding Fever

I have to admit, I'm getting excited for the Royal Wedding. I thought for sure I'd have to reach for my vomit bag, but I find myself obsessively absorbing the details of the ceremony and reception.

Chicago has plenty of ways to celebrate the Windsor nuptials, but there are only a few worth going to. (The rest are just 'let's put the wedding footage on our TVs and make crappy themed cocktails.')

If you're a fancy lady...
My favorite of the bunch is the Royal Wedding Tea Party at The Drake Hotel. First, hats and gloves are required, which is fabulous. Attendees will experience the traditional high tea while watching royal wedding footage and enjoying live harp music floating in the background. There are two seatings, noon and 3:30 p.m., each with a fashion show. You can also take a tour of The Presidential Suite 550 where Princess Diana stayed during her visit to Chicago. Tickets are $35, and you need reservations.

If this wasn't smack in the middle of the day I would absolutely be there!

If you just want a cocktail...
For those of you who WANT the bar celebration, I would highly recommend the Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club. This venue is awesome to begin with, but toss in royal wedding footage played on their huge projection screens and some hot drag queen diva performances, and you're gold. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. on Friday night, and for $30 you'll get a two-course meal and (of course) a themed martini.

If you're a royal wedding fanatic...
Hotels LOVE to create packages to tie in to Chicago events, but they're usually just an overnight stay, breakfast and tickets to whatever event. The Park Hyatt Chicago, however, has created the NUTS “A Touch of Royalty” package. Guests will get "sweets and treats" (don't know what that means), a horse drawn carriage ride, two "Kiss-Me Kate-inis", two “No More Waity, Katie” nail lacquers by Butter London and two tickets to The Art Institute of Chicago’s “Kings, Queens, and Courtiers” exhibit. But there's more! You'll also get a 4:30 a.m.wake-up so you can watch the wedding live AND an English breakfast in bed. What?!

Just for fun, here is an homage of awesome hats:

BTW I'm in love with the "No More Waity, Katie" polish from Butter London, and I think my own personal royal wedding treat will be spending $21 on nail polish. ($14 plus shipping from the UK)