English Studying Listening from BBC Learning English

A royal romance, an everyday love story

The couples are looking forward to their wedding days

The Big Day

In the seventh and final part of our special series leading up to the royal wedding, we're talking about the big day itself!

script

Report by Nicholas Witchell
Nicholas:    The Abbey suited them because, despite its grandeur and its thousandyear connection with British royalty, once you get to the high altar, it's a 
surprisingly small and intimate area. It was here, more than 63 years ago, 
that William's grandparents, the then Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of 
Edinburgh, were married. That wedding took place at a time when people 
were suffering economic hardship, soon after the Second World War and 
William and Kate are said to be mindful of current economic difficulties, but 
aware too that millions around the world are expecting a show. 
After the service, as man and wife, William and Kate will board a horsedrawn carriage at Westminster Abbey for the procession back to 
Buckingham Palace. The route will take them across Parliament Square, up 
Whitehall and across Horse Guards' Parade, and along the Mall. Once they 
get to Buckingham Palace they'll attend what's described as 'a wedding 
buffet' hosted by the Queen, and then history will repeat itself. And just as 
William's grandparents did on a grey November day in 1947 and as his 
parents did in the high summer of 1981, the wedding will be sealed - in the 
public's mind at least - with an appearance on the palace balcony. 
But for all the memories of past royal weddings, this royal couple are 
determined to make it their day, and to do it their way.

Section One: William and Kate

Listen to this news report about plans for William and Kate's wedding, presented by the BBC's royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell. See if you can answer these questions:

1. Why does Westminster Abbey suit William and Kate?

2. How will they get to Buckingham Palace after their wedding?

Listen to William and Kate

The answers are at the bottom of the page. You can also download a transcript of the interview on the right-hand side.

script

Interview with David and Jennifer

Jennifer:    It’s a lot more expensive than we thought it would be, getting married. I         

hoped that we’d get married on a couple of grand, but apparently that’s 

not possible. We first of all did our list… in terms of who we want to be 

there, ‘cos I think that dictates the budget. And we have around 100 

people we want to be there to share the day with us. 

David:    Yeah, we’ve found a venue and we’ve actually set a date for May 19

th 

2012. 

Jennifer:    We decided to get married on a farm because we really wanted to get 

married outside. Er, it was very important to us – I love the summers, as 

does Dave. And getting married outside and the type of wedding where we 

could have a marquee and people be very relaxed, was important to us. 

David:    Yeah, it’s a great venue. I think what was important for us was to have 
quite a unique wedding. We wanted it to be special for us but also special 
for our guests and something that everyone that comes will really 
remember as a, you know, a fantastic day, and something that they will 
cherish from being there. 
Li:    Right… I just wonder if you plan some kind of surprise element for your 
guests? 
Jennifer:    We were just talking today, actually, about… as part of the venue, they do 
a bonfire in the evening. They do a big bonfire for the guests, so we… we’re 
thinking we might ask all the guests to bring a firework each, and get 
permission to then do a fireworks display at the end, which I think might 
be quite nice. 
Li:    Spectacular! 
David:    So, kind of bring a… instead of bring a bottle, bring a firework. 
Yang Li: Right. I’m sure everything will go smoothly. It will be the happiest day of 
your life. 
Jennifer: Great. 

Section Two: David and Jennifer

Now listen to BBC Learning English's Yang Li interview David and Jennifer. After you've listened, try answering these questions:

3. Why have Jennifer and David decided to hold their wedding ceremony on a farm?

4. What do the couple want each of their guests to bring to the ceremony?

Listen to David and Jennifer

Answers to the questions

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1．Why does Westminster Abbey suit William and Kate ?

Because although it is grand and has been connected with royalty for a thousand years, once you get to the high altar, it's a surprisingly small and intimate area.

2. How will they get to Buckingham Palace after their wedding?

They will travel in a horse-drawn carriage.

3. Why have Jennifer and David decided to hold their wedding ceremony on a farm?

They wanted to get married outside rather than inside a building.

4. What do the couple want each of their guests to bring to the ceremony?

A firework, so they can hold a fireworks display in the evening.