One of us sort of bungled the pricing on an invitation order this weekend (the couple got a really good deal), so this entry is as much a cheat-sheet as anything else.

Carlson Craft, Birchcraft and Regency invitations are 30% off every day.  Tempo invitations are 20% off everyday.  All napkins, matchbooks, seals, etc. are 20% off every day.  Shipping averages $8-$12, and turnaround time is 10-14 days.

If you can't make it in to look through our books, you can browse and order invitations on-line.  If you order your wedding invitations on-line, you will still receive the discount.

You can order Carlson Craft invitations, napkins, etc. at http://bloomery.cceasy.com.  Birchcraft invitations can be ordered from http://www.yourinvitationplace.com/bloomeryweddings, and Regency invitations can be ordered online at http://bloomeryweddings.regency.ac/.  Make sure to click these links in order to receive your discount.

During the month of April, receive a 20% discount on all unity candles and candle holders!

unity candles

candle holders

Click the photos or links for full selection.

Also, remember our closeout and discontinued items are 40% off, but availability is limited, so order quickly when you find something you like.

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.

There's no doubt, chocolate fountains have become extremely popular in the last couple of years.  A luscious waterfall of chocolate, what's not to like?   We have on several occasions offered to help clean up using the "chug" method of disposing of the chocolate, but 20 pounds of melted chocolate is a lot, even for our sweet tooth.  If you are interested in renting a chocolate fountain for your wedding but don't know where to go, visit http://www.chocolatefountainnetwork.com.  This is a new site that features an easy map-based search for finding chocolate fountains in your area.

If you are in the Butler/North Pittsburgh area of Pennsylvania, have a look at http://www.chocolatefountainenterprises.com (they're the same people who created Chocolate Fountain Network also).  We have come to know Chocolate Fountain Enterprises will over the past several years through bridal shows and being hired by the same brides.  They are wonderful people, and not just because they always save us a plate of goodies at the bridal shows.  Even if you are not located in our area, their site is very informative.

We've learned several important facts about renting chocolate fountains in the times we've talked to various "fountaineers":

1) There are different sizes of chocolate fountains.  Many places offer several sizes for rent, at different prices.  Don't waste money and rent a fountain that is too large for the number of guests that will be attending your wedding.  be sure to ask what sizes are available, and check with several different rental companies to make sure you are renting the right sized fountain.

2) There are different qualities of chocolate, but the most important factor is what the chocolate is thinned with.  Many places melt their chocolate and thin it out with large amounts of vegetable oil.  This can alter the flavor, and may prevent the chocolate from hardening properly on whatever is dipped into the fountain.  Chocolate Fountain Enterprises uses their own formulation of chocolate that does not need to be thinned with oil.  Make sure to ask how the chocolate is thinned before you rent a chocolate fountain.

3) Ask what varieties of chocolate are available to you.  You are not limited to milk or semi-sweet chocolate only.  White and dark chocolate are available in some areas, and some companies even offer caramel--how perfect for a fall wedding with apples!  Although most fountains can handle caramel, the cleanup is atrocious, so most companies do not offer this option.  White chocolate can even be colored to match your event, but guests are sometimes wary of eating oddly colored foods.

At The Bloomery, we have made literally thousands and thousands of bridal and bridesmaid bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, etc.  In the Flowers section of our site, we have hundreds of our favorites available for you to review.  We will continue to update our portfolio, and let you know here when we do.  Additionally, we have special permission to present hundreds more ideas from one of Teleflora's contemporary wedding giudes.

You can access photos, details and estimated prices for all of these at http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/wedding_flowers.asp.  Fell free to e-mail these ideas to your friends, or link to your favorites on your blog or wedding site.  If you do post any of these images, we ask you link back to us so your readers might use our gallery as well.  Please remember, all of these designs are copyrighted by either The Bloomery or Teleflora, and all rights are reserved to the copyright holders.

In a couple of previous posts, we looked at software you can use to make photo storybooks (Organizing Those Photos and Making Photo Storybooks, Part 1 and Organizing Those Photos and Making Photo Storybooks, Part 2).  After all this planning and work, you don't want to just label the CDs with a marker!  One option you have to create labels and case inserts is the Acoustica CD/DVD Label Maker.  This program has received a number of awards lately, and has a large number of features that allow you to create really custom labels and inserts.  You can even import your own photos or artwork to use on the label or cover.  CD labels are available at most office supply stores, and you can use any printer paper to create covers--choose something cool!

We're pleased to announce the addition of many new Bevery Clark Collections and Essentials by Beverly Clark collections.  For the month of March, these and all Beverly Clark accessories are on sale at 20% off.

Beverly Clark Florenzia Collection
This Itallian inspired collection is a dramatic ensemble of black embroidery on white, ivory or gray silk.

Beverly Clark Hearts and Roses Collection
Delicate paper roses forming a heart enhance this natural textured collection.

Beverly Clark Monte Carlo Collection
This collection features an exquisite design of Swarovski crystals and Japanese pearls set in a silver pendant on that can be removed from the pillow and attached to the Marie Elena chain that is provided to wear as a stunning necklace for years to come.  The included chain is made of silver, measures 17" long (total length), available with the ring pillow only.  Available in white only.

Beverly Clark Regalia Collection
A Royal collection adorned with a replica of the Marie Elena tiara.  The pillow decoration is pined to the pillow and may be removed an worn as a brooch after the wedding.  Available in ivory only.

Beverly Clark Savant Collection
Black thread delicately embroidered on ivory organza with individually placed crystals adds a dramatic flair to this ensemble.  Ivory only.

Beverly Clark Sophisticate Collection
Luminous matte satin is adorned with hand sewn glass beads and sequins finished with a delicate bow.  Available in white only.

Beverly Clark Venetian Collection
A garland of antiqued gold, pearls as Swarovski crystals that can be removed from the pillow and attached to the Marie Elena chain that is provided to wear as an elegant necklace.  The included chain is 17" long, total length, and is included with the ring pillow only.  Available in ivory only.

Essentials by Beverly Clark Allure collection
This simple 18th century satin bow is finished with a sequined flower.  White or ivory.

Essentials by Beverly Clark Crystal Shimmer collection
White matte satin trimmed with a delicate band of crystals.  White only.

Essentials by Beverly Clark Eloquent collection
This charming peau de soie covered ensemble features a handmade flower cluster and bow.  White or ivory.

Essentials by Beverly Clark Infinity collection
Smooth matte satin wrapped with an organza and satin edged bow.  Available in white or ivory.

We see more and more couples making CDs of photos and music as favors.  Wedding websites, where you can post details of your wedding and photos of yourselves, are also becomming more popular.  Each of these adds a very personal touch to your wedding, and is a great way to to share highlights of your relationship with friends and family.  Your lives have probably moved through several stages in different places, and not everyone at your wedding may be familiar with how you first met, where you went to school, etc.

In a previous entry (http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/blog/OrganizingThosePhotosPart1.aspx), we looked at two programs to help you organize your photos, and turn them into a storybook you could burn onto a CD, or put on your website.  Microsoft, never to be outdone, has two programs you can download for free if you are a Windows XP user.

The first program is PhotoStory.  Now in its third version, PhotoStory allows you to make storybooks with your photos, complete with background music, narration, titles and captions.  You can also add a number of transition effects, and burn your storybooks to CD or put them on your website.  Since digital photos (from a camera or scanner) are typically very large when displayed on your screen, you can add all sorts of neat zoom and pan effects.  There is an overview of PhotoStory 3 at http://www.updatexp.com/microsoft-photo-story-3.html.

If you have a digital video camera, or if you can hook your VCR to your computer, you can use Movie Maker 2.1 to copy and edit your videos into movies.  There is a beginner's guide, examples and how-to's available at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/default.mspx.

In order to download PhotoStory 3, Microsoft requires you to confirm your version of Windows XP is genuine--they will install a small program that checks your software, and anonymously reports back to Microsoft your installation code.  No worries, unless you bought your OS from that greasy guy on the corner of Times Square.  Movie Maker 2.1 is part of the Windows XP SP2 update, and there are instructions on the page linked above for getting the update.  Besides MovieMaker, the XP SP2 update will install some additional security features on your computer, including a pop-up blocker for Internet Explorer, and better security against spyware.