Watch CBS News

The Wedding Planner: Behind the scenes outside Buckingham Palace

Victoria Arbiter

(CBS) CBS News royals contributor Victoria Arbiter, reporting from London, will be giving CBSNews.com readers daily updates on plans for the April 29 royal wedding.

While Prince William and Kate Middleton have admitted to having pre-wedding jitters, it's pretty clear that everyone even mildly associated with the wedding has the jitters, too.

Pictures: Prince William and Kate Middleton
Pictures: Buckingham Palace
Special section: The royal wedding

We are but days away from what is likely to be the most watched event in televised history. Everywhere you turn, busy little bees are hard at work on all the final preparations.

Victoria Arbiter

I was given a sneaky tour of the media village being built outside Buckingham Palace. It will house every major media outlet in the world. The booths have been mapped out and all the big guns will be in attendance with CBS, NBC, ABC and CNN all in close proximity. It's always good to be able to keep an eye on the competition.

Huge marquees have been set up to house editorial journalists, provide instant technology and information, and - much to my almighty relief - "posh" loos have been rolled in to accommodate our every need.

So palpable was my fear that I might need the loo during the course of the day, I had planned to stop drinking on the Monday before.

Thankfully, however, it would appear that maniacal dehydration is no longer necessary.

The flowers in front of the media platforms look spectacular. In fact, only the Queen's flowers could look so magnificent when spring has barely sprung. I felt like I had stepped into a Disney film. All that was missing were the singing bluebirds flying ribbons in through the windows of Buckingham Palace to trim Kate's dress.

Victoria Arbiter

Workers were adding the finishing touches to the enormous Union Jacks being hung and blossoms from St. James' Park fell like confetti, adding to the wonderful sense of anticipation that something big is coming.

It won't be long now until flocks of tourists start descending on the capital all eager to be a part of this historical day. Judging by the work going on, London is going to be ship shape.

We are but 16 days out and the city is right on target. Now, if we could just find out who's designing Kate's dress we would be truly ahead of the game.

But where's the fun in that? The idea of bluebirds will do nicely for now.

Until next time, royalphiles, keep calm and carry on.

Read more by the Wedding Planner:

Kate is great for the royal family
Hitting the peak of the royal roller coaster
Don't bet against Will and Kate

Keep up with Victoria Arbiter on Twitter.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.