Besides running Lake Arthur Country Club (where we had our wedding reception), Tim and Marie have started a new venture--making hand carved unity candles.

Tim carves the unity candles in a variety of patterns, including angels and crosses, in addition to the designs below.  Current colors include Christmas red and Christmas green, royal purple, coneflower blue, pink, yellow, black and white, with additional colors not in the melters--call or e-mail if you want to discuss a particular color combination.

Besides the TLC that goes into making these candles, what makes these candles so special is that they don't actually burn.  At the top of the candle, Tim inserts an oil lamp and 500-hour wick.  The bottom accommodates a small battery operated LED for additional light.  This allows you to use your candle in your ceremony and enjoy your candle afterwards without ruining it.

Some photos of their work are below.  If you're interested, call Tim and Marie at 724-865-2765 (during the golf season, this rings in the pro shop), or e-mail Marie at mavunc1@aol.com.

One of our most loved accessories is the flower girl cone--a delicate satin cone, which the flower girls carry instead of the traditional basket.  We've also known brides to order several of these to use as pew decorations, and even for the bridesmaids to carry instead of bouquets.  Both alternatives are beautiful when filled with a small bouquet of flowers instead of petals!

The most common question we're asked is whether or not there is a seam on these cones.  There are actually two tiny seams on each side of the cone.  The seams are very finely stitched, so you have to look very carefully from more than a few feet away to see the seams, and they're virtually invisible in photos.

Each cone is decorated with bows, and can be individually monogrammed with a single letter.  For a larger view, click through the link below.

If you're interested in a flowegirl cone, you can order them from us online at http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/detail.asp?product_id=1750, or call us at 800-729-1711 (724-285-1711 if you're in the Butler/Pittsburg PA area).

Birchcraft Studios has recently added a larg selection of wedding accessories to our website at http://www.yourinvitationplace.com/bloomeryweddings.  These accessories include place cards, napkins, matchbooks and notepads.  All of these are available in a number of styles and ink choices to complement your wedding colors and invitations. 

Birchcraft recommends ordering your invitations first, and then adding accessories to your order.  If you have already ordered your invitations, no big deal--you can still easily order these accessories online.  And, whether you're ordering matchbooks or napkins or any other accessories, you'll receive a 20% discount when you order through our website at http://www.yourinvitationplace.com/bloomeryweddings.

All clearance items are now 75% off!  Huge savings on flowergirl baskets, pens, candles, and more.  View the full selection at http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/search_results.asp?txtsearchParamCat=48.

Replacements for the traditional guestbook have been gaining in popularity over the past few years.  One of the most popular has been the guestbook platter—a large porcelain platter which guests can sign and the couple can display more easily than a traditional guestbook.  These platters make a great accent to a dining room table, or can be mounted on the wall of a room.  We’ve seen them in many shapes, and often these were difficult to find or expensive.  Recently, Cathy’s Concepts began offering affordable platters, and we’re happy to make them our Featured Accessory this time.  These platters are available in two sizes; the smaller one can hold 75–100 signatures, and the larger one can hold 200–250 signatures.  Each kit also includes the special permanent pen and care instructions.

Find the Guest Book Platter at http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/detail.asp?product_id=3005.

 Tags: Bloomery Weddings | guestbook | guestbook platter | butler florist | The Bloomery | Pittsburgh wedding florist

Warner Press is the leading printer of inspirational wedding programs, and their programs are some of the best selling items we carry.  Here are some of the most common questions we are asked about these programs, and our answers:

Q: How large is the paper?
A: All wedding programs are 8.5” x 11”, the size of a standard sheet of printer paper.

Q: How thick is the paper?
A: For standard and chapel-fold programs, the paper is slightly heavier than standard printer paper.  Standard printer paper is 20# bond; these papers are 24#-28# bond, so they are slightly thicker and have a better feel to them.  Tea length programs are printed on a slightly thicker paper that has a linen texture to it.

Q: Can I print these on my inkjet/laser printer?
A: Yes, absolutely!  All of these papers can pass through a home laser or inkjet printer just fine, as well as copy machines.  Because the tea-length program paper has a slight texture to it, we recommend using a laser printer or copier, rather than an inkjet printer.

Q: What is the difference between the standard programs, chapel fold, and tea-length?
A: All of the papers are the same length, the difference is the way the programs are folded.  All the programs are designed to be printed in landscape (wide) orientation.  Standard programs are folded in half, so they open like a book.  Chapel fold programs are folded into three panels, two of which are the same width and one is much wider, so the program opens kind of like the doors to a church (we talk about the folding in our blog post at http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,595dfb21-2cf0-49e0-b15c-1d2207481786.aspx).  Tea length programs are also folded into three panels, two of which are the same width and one ism uch narrower.  This narrower panel is sometimes perfortaed so it can be removed by the guest and used as a book mark or kept in a memory book.  We talk a little more about tea-length programs in our blog post at http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/blog/PermaLink,guid,906f5645-058c-4bac-b89c-5e7888df4a0d.aspx.

Q: How many programs come in a pack?
A: There are 100 programs per pack.

Q: Can I order 150 programs?  Can I have a sample sent to me?
A: Unfortunately, no.  We receive the programs from Warner Press in sealed packages, and we don’t split packages.  If you’re close by, you can see the programs in our store any time we’re open.

Q: Can I get the program printed in the colors of my wedding?
A: No, these programs come as they are.  When you print the wording, you can use ink color to match your wedding, but the designs cannot be changed.

Q: How long does shipping take?  How much does shipping cost?
A: Most orders are shipped in 1–2 business days after they are placed, and are shipped USPS Priority Mail, DHL or UPS.  When your order ships, you’ll receive an e-mail from the carrier with tracking information.  During the busy wedding season, popular designs may be sold out, and may take a week to be replenished.  Also, if you ordered other accessories with personalization (such as server sets or flutes), your order may take up to a week to ship while these items are personalized.  We have a full breakdown of shipping rates and time-in-transit at http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/shipping.asp.  We recommend ordering your programs several weeks before your wedding to allow for any shipping delays and to give you time to print and fold the programs.  We will let you know if there is a delay in shipping your order; you are not charged until your order ships.

Q: Do you have any templates for printing these programs?
A: Yes, click the links below to download the proper template; when prompted, choose to SAVE the template:

• template for standard programs
• template for chapel fold programs
• template for tea length programs

 You can view our full selection of Warner Press wedding programs at http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/search_results.asp?txtsearchParamCat=24.

Beverly Clark Wedding Accessories

With a commitment to providing the finest, most elegant selection of bridal accessories, the award-winning Beverly Clark collection radiates romance and is dedicated to providing bridal collections that help create timeless memories.   Rich fabrics, lavish laces and elegant enhancements combined with quality workmanship and exceptional value help to make Beverly Clark one of the most respected and most popular providers of wedding accessories.

Beverly Clark's products combine the grace and spirit of old traditions with cutting edge design, resulting in a collection of bridal accessories that complement today's wedding styles.  From flowergirl baskets and ringbearer pillows to guest books, pens and memory books, each Beverly Clark collection is of impeccable quality and style.

In addition to the items included in each ensemble, Beverly Clark creates beautiful jewelry, candleholders, bridesmaid gifts, wedding favors and more.  Beverly Clark strives to present everything the bride and groom need to make their special day even more memorable. 

Current Beverly Clark Collections

Amour	Glamour	Silver Leaf
Audrey	Hearts & Roses	Simplicity
Brocade Monogram	Love Knot	Sophisticate
Celebrity	Moire Monogram	Springtime
Cherub Tassel	Monte Carlo	Tres Beau
Classique	Regalia	Venetian
English Garden	Savant	Vintage
Florenzia	Seashore

Essentials by Beverly Clark

Allure	Crystal Shimmer	Eloquent
Infinity

New collections coming soon!  These collections are available in our store now, and will be added to our website shortly.

Crimson Rose

Custom Color

Serenade

The following collections have been discontinued, and remaining items are available at a significant discount.

Florette

Bella Flora

Petite Fleur

 Beverly Clark (left) with Kathy Dudley, co-owner of The Bloomery.

In a previous post (Hints For Printing Wedding Programs), we gave you some hints for printing half-fold and chapel-fold wedding programs.  Warner Press also makes a third style of wedding paper, called "tea length".  These programs are a little more expensive, in part because they are printed in a slightly heavier paper with a "linen texture".  The images on these programs are pre-printed so that when folded, you have two parts for your program information, and a narrower third part (about the size of a bookmark) on which to print a poem, or thank-you message, or something such as that.  Tea length programs are still printed on normal letter size paper--the length refers to the folding style, not the paper length.

Printing your information on these programs is a little trickier than the other two types, since you have to print on both sides of the paper.  You'll need to set up two one-page templates, with the paper set to landscape.  The first page will print the inside information.  You want to set your columns at 4" and 8"--this will give you three sections of 4", 4" and 3".  You want to print your information in the two 4" programs.  The 3" section will be the back of your bookmark/poem.

Your other template will be where you print your poem or message.  Set the columns at 3" and 7".  This will give you three sections of 3", 4" and 4".  In this template, you'll compose your message or poem in the 3" section.  Leave the other two sections blank, since they'll be the outside of the program.

You will want to run a number of practice pages before you load the real programs.  You'll need to figure out how to orient the paper in your printer to correctly print each side.  Once you do, only print one or two of the real pages to make 100% sure.  Then, go for it!

You can see our selection of Warner Press wedding programs at http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/search_results.asp?txtsearchParamCat=24.

What do Dorothy's ruby red slippers, Rockefeller Center's Christmas Tree, and a Marilyn Monroe dress have in common with your wedding?  Swarovski crystals!

Man-made crystals have been produced from melted quartz, lead, calcium and a few other ingredients for centuries.  In 1892, Daniel Swarovski invented a machine that could cut crystals that resembled faceted diamonds; in years to come, Swarovski became a favorite supplier for Coco Chanel and Christian Dior.  Swarovski crystals have adorned Dorothy's slippers in "The Wizard of Oz", the dress Marilyn Monroe wore when she sang "Happy Birthday Mr. President" to President Kennedy, and the star atop the Rockefeller Center tree was created by Swarovski.

Swarovski, now led by Daniel's great-great-granddaughter, continues to court desginers, including Beverly Clark and Cathy's Concepts.  Several of the collections we carry from Beverly Clark and Cathy's Concepts are adorned with Swarovski crystals.  These collections include:

Beverly Clark	Cathy's Concepts
Celebrity Monte Carlo Regalia Venetian	Champagne Starlight Sparkling Entwined

There are a few items not associated with collections that are also decorated with Swarovski crystals.  You can click here to view all items adorned with Swarovski crystals.

As you sparkle down the aisle on your big day, remember you're in good company.

				Receive 15% off on all toasting flutes and cake servers during the month of July at www.bloomeryweddings.com! Browse for Flutes > Browse for Servers > Browse Closeout Items, 40% off! > Visit our blog for wedding tips and advice!	Silver Vine Goblets by Beverly Clark Collection
			©2005 The Bloomery, Butler, Pennsylvania

Whether you call them wedding program covers or wedding bulletins, we sell a lot of them (view our selection of blank wedding programs from Warner Press).  Right now, at the height of wedding season, supplies can run thin and backorders of a week aren't uncommon.  Don't let that discourage you from ordering--you don't need the papers to preactice printing your wedding programs.  After you place your order with us (please try and do so at least 2-3 weeks in advance of your wedding), you can start setting up your programs so they're ready to go.

We tell you the size of every program in the description.  The vast majority are letter sized paper (8 1/2 inches by 11 inches), and are landscape orientation.  Most of the wedding programs fold in half like a book, but the chapel fold is a little different.  To make a chapel fold, hold a piece of letter sized paper landscape, and bring each edge toward the middle.  Crease the paper once the edges meet--you'll now have a piece of paper folded into three parts--one about 2 3/4 inches wide, one about 5 1/2 inches wide, and one about 2 3/4 inches wide (that should equal 11 inches).

Once you know how your paper is laid out, you can use Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher or some similar program to start making your program template.  The exact specifics of how will depend on which program you use to print your wedding programs.  In Microsoft Word, to print a standard wedding bulletin, open a new file, and change its page layout to be landscape.  Make a margin of 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch on all sides, and create two columns, with the separation exactly in the middle (the Word help files can show you exactly how to do these steps, one at a time).  For the chapel fold, set up three columns with the measurements above.  Once you have this file set up, you can start adding your text.

What to say in your wedding program is up to you.  Most couples put the order of the ceremony on the left side, and introduce the wedding party on the right, with a personal message to the guests somwehere inside.  But you're free to do whatever suits you.  Keep tweaking the words, margins and spacing until you get the exact look you want.  Once your blank wedding program papers arrive, print a final draft on plain printer paper, and place it over the wedding bulletin paper, and hold it up to the light.  Make sure everything lines up correctly.  Then print only one of the blank program covers to make sure you know how to load the paper properly, and fold it to check the spacing one final time.  Then, load up your blank programs and print away!

We'll have some templates later this summer--keep watching this blog so you'll know when we do.

We are pleased to be an exclusive online provider of accessories by Aalexis Bridal and Aalexis Design.  Located in Santa Cruz, CA, a few miles from the Pacific Ocean, this design house prides itself on their craftsmanship and quality, with alll items being handcrafted at their California facility. Aalexis Brial is best known for their silk fabrics and ornate trims that are carefully selected from around the world.  Bloomery Weddings offers Guestbooks, Ring Pillows and Penholders by Aalexis in a variety of styles and fabrics that will complement any gown or wedding theme.  Whether looking for classic elegance, beautiful ribbons, pearl or crystal beading, or a splash of color, we hope you will find the right choice to make your wedding day a perfect one!

April Showers -- The April Showers Collection features beautiful white or ivory matte satin fabric with a ribbon accent that includes a design of delicate beaded flowers.

Beaded Edge -- The Beaded Edge Collection features timeless white matte satin with a band of narrow crystal bugle beads.

Blue Embroidered Dupioni -- The Blue Embroidered Dupioni Collection is a customer favorite.  Made of stylish blue dupioni silk fabric, this collection features an embroidered floral design in shades of blue with green accents. 

Duchess Silk Pleated Band -- The Duchess Silk Pleated Band Collection is created with timeless white or ivory matte satin. The pleated satin band adds a sophisticated finishing touch.

Empress Pearl -- The Empress Pearl Collection is a perfect example of understated elegance.  Beautiful sheer organza ribbons in a criss-crossed pattern accent the timeless white matte satin fabric.

Grosgrain Bow -- The Grosgrain Bow Collection features beautiful white or ivory matte satin fabric, with an accent of a classic button grosgrain bow.

Pearl Cluster -- The Pearl Cluster Collection is made of white or ivory matte satin fabric, and accented with silk ribbons and a cluster of pearls, creating a simple and timeless statement.

Sheer Elegance -- The Sheer Elegance Collection features simple white or ivory matte satin fabric with a simple organza bow.  The bow is cinched at the center with a cluster of pearls and sequins for a sparkling accent.

Vintage Ribbon -- The Vintage Ribbon Collection is one of our customers' favorites.  White or ivory matte satin fabric is overlaid with a ribbon of sheer organza featuring an ornate embroidered floral pattern.  Sequins and bugle beads accent the embroidery, adding just the right decorative touch.

After all your attendants do to help you in planning and executing your wedding, you'll want to thank them with a special gift.  It can be a memento of your wedding day, or an indulgent gift for them to enjoy.  It's usually given at the rehearsal dinner, the bridesmaids' luncheon, or at the bachelorette party.  Some ideas:

• Jewelry, either for the wedding or after
• A purse that matches or coordinates with her gown
• A striking journal to record her innermost thoughts
• Cosmetics or toiletry bags

These are just a few suggestions.  You can find more great bridesmaid gifts by clicking this link.

We're pleased to announce three new Cathy's Concepts collections have been added to our website:

Cathy's Concepts Rosebud Collection

One glance at this wedding collection confirms that old-fashioned romance reigns supreme.  Invite the tranquility of rose covered accessories into your wedding ceremony with our very special Rosebud Collection.  Made of luxurious matte satin with a continuous pattern of satin roses.

Cathy's Concepts Blossom Collection

Like a fresh bouquet of flowers picked from a bountiful garden, our Blossom Collection creates an enchanting scene of plush and embroidered flowers on a bed of lavish Duchesse satin.  Let our Blossom Collection adorn your ceremony and reception with its charming botanicals.  Each piece is hand decorated in a scattered pattern of flowers enhanced with tiny glass pearls.

Cathy's Concepts Beach Collection

Imagine a symphony of rhythmic ocean waves and a tranquil seaside breeze serenading the guests as they wait for your grand entrance.  Our Beach Collection is the perfect accessory to complement your tropical wedding celebration.  Rich Duchesse satin with scattered Swarovski crystals and glass pearls is the foundation for real starfish collected from beaches along Florida's Atlantic coast.  Starfish are embellished with diamond dust and arranged by hand to create a sparkling sensation.