They came in hats and high heels, gowns and opera gloves.
They brought gifts, posed for photographs and ate scones. They cheered, clapped and cried -- all as early as 3:30 a.m.
Traverse City's State Theatre hosted a free, live viewing party Friday to watch the royal wedding of Kate Middleton and Britain's Prince William. Hundreds of guests nearly filled the downtown movie house, where a festive atmosphere prevailed even in the early morning hours.
"This is crazy. I love this," said Boona Delgiudice, of Leland, as she waited on the dark East Front Street sidewalk for the theater to open at 3:45 a.m. "I have a foreign exchange student from South Korea, and this is my cultural contribution."
She also brought her daughter and her crown-wearing husband, one of the minority male partygoers. Delgiudice didn't know what to expect when she made plans to attend the local celebration of the London wedding. What she saw surprised her.
Residents were clearly swept up in the spirit of the royal event. Revelers giddily greeted strangers as comrades. Most came in costume, or at least wore a hat in the English wedding custom. The crowd included the grandmotherly and the girly, donned in gaudy tiaras and fine brocades and furs. Some clutched coffee cups, but most appeared excited not exhausted.
Tina Tank, of Traverse City, styled her vintage, blue-hued outfit after the Queen Mother. She even brought a toaster as a wedding gift to contribute to the State's collection for local shelters. Tank enjoyed the quirky, "bizarre" gathering.
"This is making history. It is truly a historical moment, and look at all the women," she said.
After signing a guestbook and dropping off gift donations, patrons made their way into the darkened theater. Anticipation built before Middleton's dress was revealed. Seeing her gown was a high priority for many women.
"The dress," said Traverse City Central High School student Caroline Smith, simply, of the motivation for the early morning wake-up.
It didn't disappoint. The gown's full skirt and long lace sleeves showcased the bride's small waist. The State audience clapped politely and appreciatively as Middleton stepped out of a car, displaying her dress in front of Westminster Abbey.
"It was completely appropriate. It had the sleeves, but it didn't look old," said Tess Bastian, of Traverse City.
Bastian also dressed for the occasion, dolled up in a beaded ballgown she wore to last year's prom. She and a friend woke up at 2 a.m. to do their make-up and hair before heading to the State.
"I've always wanted to be a princess," Bastian said.
The local wedding event was a perfect way to celebrate both the royal marriage and her 19th birthday, also on Friday.
"Everybody had their hats on. It felt like we were at a big party," she said.
Others were captivated by the sweeping scenes of the stately abbey shown on a big movie screen.
"We would have missed that on television," said Sis Leake, of Traverse City.
She repeated the prayers during the wedding, and marveled at the large, local turnout - and the dress.
"It was exquisite," Leake said.
