Pupils in Bures won’t just be celebrating the Royal Wedding – they will be acting it out ahead of the big day.

Children at Bures Primary School have been preparing all week for the ceremony and party organised to help the youngsters feel involved in Prince William and Kate Middleton’s nuptials and understand the event.

Bunting has been constructed, union jack flags purchased and pupils’ finest clothes pressed in preparation for what will be a day they will never forget.

Phoenix Bloomfield, 7, will be playing the “bride” to six-year-old Oliver Reed’s “groom” and twenty of the classmates will be supporting them as page boys and bridesmaids.

The mock ceremony will take place in Bures Parish Church and then the whole congregation – including pupils, parents, teachers and friends – will return to the Nayland Road school for a cake-filled reception.

Headteacher Christine Furniss said everyone in the community has got involved in and contributed to the organisation of the event.

“A parent who is a wedding photographer will be taking pictures at the church and another parent who specialises in doing bridal flowers will be making posies for all of the bridesmaids,” she said.

“The dad of one of our teachers collects vintage cars so he is loaning us his Daimler for the day.

She added: “Lots of the boys wanted to play the father of the bride so they can ride in the vintage car to church.”

After the ceremony, pupils and guests will be feasting on the chocolate biscuit cake Prince William has specially requested for the day, cupcakes and party food.

Mrs Furniss said: “We’re not trying to copy the Royal Wedding but we thought it would be good fun to celebrate it like this.

“Our pupils have been finding out how other cultures celebrate this occasion and have been looking back at royal weddings from the past and the marriage ceremony itself.”

She added: “I think when the Royal Wedding happens this will really understand it and be quite excited.”

And like all good guests, the pupils of Bures Primary School have chosen the perfect wedding present for the Royal couple.

Mrs Furniss said: “Because it is a non-uniform day all of the children will be making a donation to the EACH appeal and that will be our wedding gift to the prince and princess.”