The Royal Wedding Live Blog

April 29, 2011 — -- 8:27 a.m. ET: Short and sweet: that's the best way to describe the kiss Prince William planted on his new wife. It's the first time the public has seen a lip lock between the couple. Given the hollers from the crowd below, it seems the people wanted a bit more romance.

Two minutes after their first kiss, Prince William gave Kate Middleton another brief peck.

8:26 a.m. ET: Smiling and waving, Kate Middleton and Prince William are on the balcony of Buckingham Palace soaking up the adoration of the British public.

8:15 a.m. ET: 100 million pints of beer are expected to be sold in Britain today, where it's a public holiday in honor of Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding. 5,500 street celebrations are expected to be held throughout the UK as well. Now that is a royal party.

7:38 a.m. ET: While a large-scale party takes over London, Kate Middleton's hometown is celebrating the royal wedding in its own way.

In Bucklebury, England, six pigs are roasting on spits -- two at the BBQ joint Graham's Hog Roast and four at Bucklebury Farm Park. 20 dancers from the Kennet Morris Men are performing in the park, doing a traditional British dance that's been around for centuries. (The group regularly performs at Middleton's favorite hometown pub, The Bladebone Inn.)

Locals are getting involved in duck and sheep races as well, but of course, most of their attention has been devoted to the main event: a big screen airing the wedding and champagne to sip while watching.

7:26 a.m. ET: The newlyweds have stepped out of their carriage at Buckingham Palace. Wonder if their arms are tired from all the waving?

The Queen is on their heels in her own (covered) carriage.

7:09 a.m. ET: Despite clouds overhead, Prince William and Kate Middleton are braving the risk of bad weather and riding to Buckingham Palace in an uncovered carriage, the better for the public to see them.

Their carriage is a 1902 State Landau, the same one Prince William's parents rode in after their wedding.

7:03 a.m. ET: Before he said his vows, Prince William cracked a joke that many royal wedding viewers may not have caught. According to a lipreader, at the altar, Prince William mouthed to his father-in-law, "We're supposed to have just a small family affair."

The lipreader, who spoke to the Press Association, also spotted Prince Harry comment "Right, she is here now" as Kate Middleton walked into Westminster Abbey.

6:49 a.m. ET: Despite its modern touches and designer, it's worth noting that Kate Middleton's dress, with its lace sleeves, form-fitting bodice and full skirt, looks very similar to that of another commoner-turned Princess: Grace Kelly.

6:33 a.m. ET: In his address to the couple, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, celebrated that millions of people could "share in your joy today." "This is, as every wedding day should be -- a day of hope," he said.

6:26 a.m. ET: After the couple said their vows, Kate Middleton's brother, James Middleton, read from a modern American version of the Bible during the service, urging the royal newlyweds to "associate with the lowly."

"Weep with those who weep," "live in harmony with one another," "do not claim to be wiser than you are," he said.

James Middleton's reading is the only one that will be given during the service.

6:20 a.m. ET: It's official: Prince William and Kate Middleton are now man and wife and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

6:14 a.m. ET: Prince William and Kate Middleton seem a little shaky while saying their vows. He also struggled to get the wedding band -- made of Welsh gold -- on her finger. Nerves, perhaps?

6:09 a.m. ET: At the altar, Prince William mouthed to Kate Middleton, "You look beautiful."