The bells may have pealed an ocean away, but many Canadians across the country roused themselves before dawn to be part of the spectacle as Prince William and Kate Middleton began their lives as newlyweds.
Canucks keen on the royal wedding swapped pyjamas for pageantry early Friday morning to toast the couple who have not only become the ultimate celebrities, but could one day be an important part of how this country is governed.
Some donned daring headgear and headed to public venues for the occasion while others gathered in their living rooms with crumpets and a cup of English tea as the festivities began.
In New Brunswick, a gathering at the lieutenant-governor's residence in Fredericton drew a crowd of about 200 eager to take in as much of the event as they could.
"I wanted to be part of history," said 51-year-old Lucinda Barton, who brought along a quilt made by her grandmother to mark the coronation of King George VI in 1937. "I think it's very special that we have a head of state who lives in another country."
Robert Ross echoed that sentiment.
"Canadians have an attachment to Britain whether they acknowledge it or not," said the 72-year-old from Lincoln, N.B., who watched the wedding wearing a century-old bowler hat his father wore when the Queen was crowned.
"The monarchy signifies unity and all the Commonwealth countries have that in common."
In Halifax, Sylvia McCleave was positively giddy as she attended an early-morning breakfast in honour of the couple.
"I'm excited. I wouldn't miss it. I've been a collector of everything royal since 1952," said the 73-year-old member of the Monarchist League.
Many women at the gathering wore hats decorated with flowers, and one young man dressed as a knight wearing a tunic with the cross of St. George.
McCleave, who was with her daughter, carried photos of herself passing the Queen a bouquet of flowers during her visit to Halifax. She said she owns more than 200 books about the royal family and became a monarchist because, "the Queen gives Canada a symbol of stability."
"I hope their marriage will be forever. She is beautiful," McCleave said about the newlyweds. "They really are in love ... there's no doubt about their love this time."
The fairytale romance was responsible for rousing some young Canadians as well.
In Toronto, Safa Ali and her friends rolled out of bed, donned tiaras and made mimosas as the festivities got underway.
"The alarm started ringing at five, our collective denial stopped at 5:15 and we all accepted we were getting up," the 22-year-old University of Toronto student said with a laugh.
"We love the pomp and circumstance ... there's a bit of jealously, and it's a big historical moment."
At the Royal York hotel in the city's downtown, dozens of women in feathered fascinators -- small, fancy hats that perch on the side of the head -- sipped tea and nibbled on swan-shaped pastries at 5 a.m.
A hush descended on the crowd as a tiara-bedecked Kate arrived at Westminister Abbey looking radiant in a lacy white gown.
For Ruth Flower-Davies, watching the ceremony was part of a long-standing tradition.
"We're Canadians, we're part of the British thing," said the 58-year-old who took the day off work to indulge in the royal festivities. "This (wedding) does seem like a real love affair."
Tammy Cash was another Canadian caught up in the romance and admitted she was recording news feeds of the wedding even though she was watching it live.
"It's almost like redemption for Diana to see her son truly in love," said the 37-year-old.
For those who didn't make it for a morning of posh nosh, the Eaton Centre in downtown Toronto broadcast the ceremony live on three large screens framed by columns and sheer white drapes.
Vivian Cutting, 50, said she watched the beginning of the proceedings at home but stumbled across the display in the mall and enjoyed watching the festivities with others, even if they were strangers.
"We feel all of the excitement and the energy and the vibrancy," she said. "People talk to people."
On the west coast, Kenny and Anita Podmore were up at 3 a.m. to be part of the wave of Canadian wedding watchers.
"It's been amazing the interest in the wedding here," said 68-year-old Kenny Podmore, the official town crier in Sidney, B.C., who was to deliver a royal proclamation on the wedding at a breakfast later in the day.
His wife Anita couldn't help gushing throughout the ceremony, particularly at the sight of Kate's gown, designed by Britain's Sarah Burton, creative director at Alexander McQueen.
"Oh, she looks lovely, beautiful," said the 74-year-old, adding that the wedding would give Britain, currently feeling the brunt of harsh austerity measures, a boost. "This lifts peoples spirits."
An estimated two billion people across the globe were expected to tune in for the vows, and Canadians were no exception -- a poll suggested about 40 per cent of Canucks made plans to watch the vows here at home.
But there were also those Canucks who simply had to be a part of the royal nuptials in person.
Sheree Zielke, 55, who travelled to London from Edmonton, slept on the sidewalk across from Westminster Abbey for the past two nights just to be among the first to see Kate's wedding gown. With a hand-drawn Maple Leaf in tow, she was among tens of thousands who gathered along the procession route.
"It's absolutely remarkable, it's the event of the century," said Zielke, who viewed the wedding as a sort of calling.
"I'm a romance novelist, I felt it was my duty to be at the romance event of the century," she said with a laugh. "I grew up liking the royals, they're a part of my life."
With a third of the world training their eyes on the newlyweds, much is at stake for 28-year-old William and 29-year-old Kate, particularly after a series of failed royal marriages including that of Prince Charles and Diana.
But there seems to be an outpouring of goodwill among many watching Friday's wedding.
"I believe this one is the genuine thing, built on affection and love," said Zielke. "I think they're marrying for all the right reasons and I expect to see them happily together as grandparents."
And to those naysayers who pooh pooh the wedding hype and the relevance of Canada's link to the royals, Zielke has a few words.
"It's our history for heaven's sake," she said. "When i was a little girl ... we sang God Save the Queen every day. As a babyboomer she's part of my life and I was taught to respect her, and that respect is not going away."
A similar attitude was echoed by some younger Canadians who have been hit with royal fever.
Daniel Whaley was part of a group of 45 Canucks who travelled to London for the festivities and considered witnessing the wedding a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"This is a monumental event that will go down in history. It's also the future king and queen of Canada that are getting married," said the 19-year-old University of Winnipeg student who is also co-chairman of the Monarchist Youth League of Canada.
"It's electrifying ... you're seeing the future of a historic institution in a flash."
Canada's official representative at the wedding is Gov. Gen. David Johnston, but on the streets, the Canadian contingent was strong.
"There are lots of Maple Leafs," said Whaley. "I'd say Canada is one of the most well-represented international countries here at the wedding."
One Canadian in London took her royal adoration to another level, dressed as a bride holding a sign that read: "Will, it's not too late!"
"I want to see that kiss on that balcony," said Brenda Hunt-Stevenson, a retired teacher from Newfoundland. "That's going to clinch it for me."
With William now officially off the market, women searching for their own royal fairytale turned their attention to Prince Harry, who cut a fine figure in formal military attire.
"There's still a chance," said 27-year-old Shannon Kirk of Halifax, who made her own hat for the occasion. "We like Harry too."
The festivities in London were British to the core, from the freshly polished horse-drawn carriages to the sausages and lager served at street gatherings. Some pubs opened early to offer beer, breakfasts and big screen TVs, and one London watering hole is proving popular with Canadians.
Amy Strachan was among a number of Canadians living in London who grabbed a table at The Maple Leaf, choosing the pub over the pavement so she could watch the wedding in a homey setting without being jostled.
"Everybody is glued to the screens, joking, laughing and having a good time," said the 28-year-old from Whitehorse, Yukon, who rose early to first watch the Vancouver Canucks game before a day of all things royal.
Britain has not seen a royal celebration on this scale since 1981, when Charles married Diana at St. Paul's Cathedral. With the modern William and Kate expected to infuse new life into the monarchy, many watching the wedding are viewing the couple as different kinds of royals.
"It's not like Angelina and Brad, it's a different entity altogether. It's somewhere between royal celebrity and famous celebrity," said Strachan. "I think people want it to be what Charles and Diana's wasn't."
Outside London, Toronto resident Jill Hilderman described the mood in Britain as a "nation in celebration."
The 53-year-old communications consultant watched the nuptials in Upperton, where a traditional street party -- complete with brass band, baked goods and bunting-- was underway.
"You definitely can feel the excitement," said Hilderman. "I think a royal wedding, especially one we're so positive about, gives a renewed sense of hope that everybody can use."
But while the dress, the cake and the kiss -- two kisses in fact -- were among the most anticipated events of the day, experts said the wedding also carried a particular significance for Canada.
Monarchists and republicans agreed that whether Canadians were watching the wedding or not, it was bound to get them thinking about their country's link to the monarchy, and whether it will endure.
