Yesterday was the romance.  Today is the detail work.  After the  announcement of the engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the two today are reportedly huddling with advisers deep in planning.

First thing to be dealt with is when exactly the wedding will be held.  There is word  they’ve narrowed it down to a few possible dates, perhaps sometime next July or August.

Next, where. The venue most talked about now is Westminster Abbey, where the funeral for the late Princess Diana was held.  Other spots include St. Paul’s Cathedral and a smaller chapel near Buckingham Palace.

Then there is the style of the wedding.  A spokesperson for a budget-cutting group here called the Taxpayers’ Alliance, tells Fox News they’re calling for a “frugal” wedding in these austere times.

However scaled-down the event might be, this wedding will still cost.  Some funding will come from the Royal budget, some from the Brits themselves.  Security alone is estimated to run the equivalent of 130 million dollars.

If those are the costs though, the benefits are thought to be huge. Some think the wedding could be worth close to a billion dollars to the beleaguered UK economy.

Included in the money spinners are souvenirs and other merchandise.   Commemorative plates and mugs are already being turned out.  Travel and tourism will get a boost.  Food and spirits for those taking it in will fly out of stores. And there is big profits to be gained for TV, newspapers, magazines and other media covering this world-class benefit.

Finally there is the intangible “feel-good” factor for a country like others struggling against a host of challenges.  For UK Prime Minister David Cameron, busy trimming government benefits everywhere, the “benefit” of a emotionally and nationally uplifting event next year is incalculable.

No wonder he, like a lot of people yesterday, said he was thrilled to hear of the upcoming marriage!