On a Saturday unlike any other, the usually serene village of Englefield has been overrun by TV satellite vans and wedding well-wishers clad in neon-orange fedora hats and Union Jack flags.
Meryl Elizabeth Evans, in her 60s, travelled from South Wales to witness the "wedding of the year" between Pippa Middleton and financier James Matthews at St Mark's Church.
She said: "We didn't get here till nine, and we thought we wouldn't be able to see anything. But there weren't too many people - we didn't have to fight our way in.
"It's a nice atmosphere, everybody's friendly, it's just a nice country feel to it."
Mrs Evans said she was most looking forward to spotting the guests' attire, and said: "I'd love to see the fashion - the clothes, the hats and the fascinators. But they'll all be in cars so we'll probably see it on TV.
"We've met people from around the world, and the camera crews are from everywhere. It is the wedding of the year, isn't it?"
Mrs Evans, who also visited the church on Friday, noted the secretive atmosphere among the locals.
She told the Press Association: "We went to one of the villages nearby and they weren't excited. I don't know if they'll bother coming here.
"We wish the newlyweds all the best and let's hope that the weather stays nice for them."
Among the frenzied media babble stood royal fan Sandra Shaw, who arrived brightly dressed for the occasion in a neon-orange T-shirt and hat, and a Union Jack flag.
The 55-year-old, who drove from Warrington in Cheshire, said: "I didn't look at the mileage, but it took us three-and-a-half hours to get here.
"I'm excited to see the younger royals more than the older ones."
Ms Shaw said she was hoping to see Prince George and Princess Charlotte, who will star as a pageboy and bridesmaid, despite worries about their behaviour expressed by their mother, the Duchess of Cambridge.
Her sartorial choice was driven by the toddlers, who she hoped might wave as they spotted her standout outfit.
A stream of Range Rovers, BMWs and Mercedes Benz cars offloaded fashionable guests adorned with fascinator hats in full view of the world's media.
A few Englefield locals were given prime position inside the private church grounds to witness the parade of friends and family walking up the church path.
Local spectator Sophie Breedon came to catch a glimpse of wedding guests after loyally cheering on the Cambridges at their 2011 wedding - wearing a wedding dress.
The 30-year-old, who was dressed down in a Barbour jacket and jeans, told the Press Association: "(In 2011) we were live on ITV and the BBC wearing wedding dresses, and everyone loved it.
"That day we arrived at five in the morning, but today we got here (at around 10am).
"We underestimated how many people would be interested. The royal wedding was a massive organised event and we knew there would be places to see things, but as we were nearby, we thought we'd just come and support."
Mrs Breedon, who was a fan of the couple, jokingly pleaded that the bride and groom should "come out and wave at the crowds."
The newly married supporter had advice for the newlyweds. She said: "I think more and more marriages are under public scrutiny and they have a really hard time.
"I hope it's real love."
Her friend, Georgia Cooper, also 30, said: "Enjoy every minute, and have as much fun as you can."
As the clock moved past 11.30am, marking the start of the ceremony, the rain clouds moved in and well-prepared spectators took cover under umbrellas.
While they could not get a view of the bride's dress, men, women and children inside the church grounds could be seen waving as Miss Middleton arrived from a private entrance.
Wedding bells rang out just before 12.30pm, with supporters peering through the trees and hoping to document the exit of the bride and groom on their phones.
Spectators waved as the wedding party wandered up towards the private Englefield House, led by Mr and Mrs Matthews.
Englefield resident Elizabeth Mary Reeves sported a silver wristband with the wedding date 20.05.17 printed on, given exclusively to locals who were let into the private church grounds to get a better look.
She said of the bride: "She stood and waved and looked just lovely. As all brides do, they glow, no matter how expensive their dress is.
"She looked absolutely beautiful."
The 68-year-old, whose daughter and son married at the same church, said the bride and groom looked "very happy" as they waved to the small crowd gathered on the church green.
"As the doors opened, the bells started and it was just brilliant.
"There were about six little ones, well-behaved, and they all stood on the porch and it was lovely.
"(Prince) George was waving, (Princess) Charlotte was waving and Kate stooped next to them.
"I just love it. I think it's so good for the village, so good for the country, and it just gives it a happy mood and we need a happy mood.
"There's so much sadness in the world, so much nastiness. And to have something like this just gives the county a little bit of a lift up.
"It just put a buzz in the community."
She said she marvelled at the dresses and said: "All I hope is that they bought from British brands.
"The dresses were magnificent but the heels - I wonder how they're going to walk in those.
"Princess Beatrice was there, Roger Federer was there. It was beautiful.
"(I came) Just to say 'I was here'."