Many couples choose to create a seating chart, traditionally numbering tables and having place cards with the guest's name and table number on the cards.  We've seen couples opting for more personal and creative ways of associating guests with tables.  One couple named every table for something significant in their favorite TV shows and movies.  Guests were seated in "Ten Forward" or "Rick's Cafe Americain".  Instead of place cards, the couple made CDs of their favorite songs, and placed the guest's name and table on the CD cover.  At each table was a brief story about what that table was named for, and why that was significant in the couple's life.

Tonight's couple named every table for a word they felt played a part in a good marriage.  Guests were seated at tables named "Honesty", "Faithfulness", "Passion", etc.   Each table sign was beautifully written in large calligraphy on a small piece of white parchment, and pasted onto a piece of cardstock matching the wedding's colors and folded like a tent.  Instead of place cards, the couple had an attractive sign printed on foam core, listing the guests and their table.

What you choose to do should reflect how you want your reception to be remembered.  Keep in mind that the seating arrangement is your guest's first impression of your reception, and you don't want to mix a wacky table scheme with formal reception.

Saturday was one of those happy-sad days for us.  Five years ago, we delivered the wedding of sister #1.  Three years ago, we delivered the wedding for sister #2.  Last year, their mother phoned us and said "#3 is engaged!".  We delivered sister #3's wedding on Saturday.  We've really enjoyed working with the family over the years, and we'll be happy to deliver the wedding for sister #1's toddler when the time comes.  We'll be a lot older by then, and that's kind of a bummer.  Sister #1's husband opened a medical practice not half a mile from the shop, so we still see her often, and we enjoy catching up.  What really makes us happy is that they've paid us the highest compliment a florist can receive--repeat business.  To be a part of all three weddings is a really special thing for us florists.  Guess we're doing something right.  Thanks to all three of you (and your mom), you know who you are.  Congratulations to you all.

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.

Here's a neat idea to keep the children attending your wedding busy...a childrens' activity table!  At a recent wedding, our bride (an event planner by trade) set up a children's activity table in the corner of the reception hall.  There were coloring books, crayons, chinese yo-yos, and other activities for the kids to play with.  More than enough to keep the kids entertained until the hokey-pokey was danced.

We have a couple of items that are great for an activity table.  One is a wedding coloring book, a 32 page coloring book and activity that includes 4 crayons (you may want to have a few more crayons on hand to keep the peace).  Another fun idea is a flowergirl candy necklace kit.  Little girls love to create their own jewelry, but love to eat it even more!

Wedding season is in full swing, and here's our Bouquet of the Month for May 2005.  This beautiful bouquet featured Hot Pink and Wine colored Roses, Bright Pink Tulips and Bright Pink Sweetpeas, with a lemon leaf foliage finish.  The stems were wrapped and tied with a white satin ribbon.  Approximate price $100 to $125.

The portfolio link is http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/portfolio_detail.asp?product_id=BW328.

In a recent issue of Martha Stewart Weddings, the editors wrote about a great idea called a "cookie table".  To the rest of the country, this may seem like a novel idea.  However, in our little part of the world, cookie tables are a de facto requirement at every wedding.  We have no statistics to support this, but we would assume that more weddings have occured without a groom than without a cooke table.  Just thinking about the hundreds of cookies, dozens of varieties, makes our mouths water.  Making this many cookies can be a chore for family members, and "cookie ladies" can be difficult to find.  A good cookie lady may be the most common "do you know a good..." question we are asked when working with brides.

Our friend Autumn, from Autumn's Cakes, has drafted her sister Jennifer as a cookie lady.  Autumn has recently launched a new website at http://www.autumnscakes.com, and you can even look at some pictures of Jennifer's cookies in the photo gallery.  We've tasted Jennifer's cookies, and they are as delicious as Autumn's cakes are--which is to say, very delicious.  At our suggestion, a friend of ours ordered cookies for a bridal shower from Autumn's Cakes.  The cookies were cut into the shape of a wedding cake, and frosted with a cake design.  They were a hit at the shower!

Autumn and Jennifer are based in Harmony, and are available all over the North Pittsburgh, Cranberry, Wexford, Zelienople, Butler, etc. area.  If you are looking for wedding cookies or a wedding cake, definitely contact them.

				Receive 15% off and free personalization on all gifts for bridesmaids, groomsmen, parents and children during the month of June at www.bloomeryweddings.com! Browse for Bridesmaids' gifts > Browse for Groomsmen's gifts > Browse for Parents' gifts > Browse for Children's gifts >	Silver Bud Vase Engravable with one initials Sale price $18.61
			©2005 The Bloomery, Butler, Pennsylvania

If a picture paints a thousand words -- and it does -- then you'll want to make sure you have a photography plan to capture this incredible day you've planned.

The average bride and groom spend approximately twelve months planning an event that will last four hours -- or, as so many brides and grooms claim afterwards, one that is over in the blink of an eye. Quite often the bride and groom are so busy that they don't get to savor their hard planned details. Well, in the wedding photos you get to do exactly that. You get to relive the moment as often as you like for the rest of your life.

Creative Wedding Photo Ideas

• On the guest book table, set around the room, or mounted on the wall, display a few photos of the bride and groom from birth to marriage. You might also include the wedding pictures of both yours and your fiance's parents.
• Have Polaroid pictures taken of each guest alone, or with the bride and groom, to give as a favor.
• Place a disposable camera on each table. Ask the guests to take pictures during the reception. It will not only be entertaining, but you'll get a lot of great candid shots. Remember to arrange for someone to collect all the cameras at the end of the reception.
• Keep a camera with you throughout your planning and create a pre-wedding album. Capture the following moments: buying your rings, trying on dresses for yourself and the bridesmaids, addressing and mailing invitations, showers, a picture of getting your marriage license. Remember the fun of planning your wedding.
• Order extra pictures for special friends.
• Don't forget your honeymoon photo album. Be sure to pack your camera.
• Have a friend take Polaroid pictures of your wedding day. You can take the pictures along on the honeymoon.
• Make sure you don't have suntan lines, or that your face doesn't get sunburned. A red face won't look attractive in the pictures.

Reprinted by permission from Beverly Clark, "Planning a Wedding to Remember, 6th Edition", Wilshire Publications. "Planning a Wedding to Remember" is available at BloomeryWeddings.com.

Even though we've been a part of hundreds and hundreds of weddings, our brides still find creative ideas we haven't seen before.  Today was another one of those days.  At the reception hall, a table was set up next to the guest card table.  On this table were three vases, labelled "First Anniversary", "Fifth Anniversary" and "Tenth Anniversary", and several piles of notepapers and pens.  Guests were invited to write messages to the bride and groom, and place them in the vases.  On the appropriate anniversary, the couple would open and read the notes, as a memory of their special day.  What a neat way to remember your wedding!

You've visited your favorite store, and used the scan guns to zap your wish list items, gone online to register at all your favorite stores, and have lengthy lists of gifts you're ready to welcome into your home. Now, how do you let your guests know where to find the perfect wedding gift? Many families are tempted to include registry information with the invitation, but this is absolutely not acceptable. You are inviting these guests to witness and share in your wedding ceremony and celebration -- gifts aren't even to be expected (although always great to receive!). The best way to spread the registry news is through good old word-of-mouth -- friends, family members and other wedding party members usually end up knowing and talking to other guests, and the chain of information spreads quickly. It is also acceptable to send registry information with the bridal shower invitations. After all, the intent and purpose of the event is to "shower" the bride with gifts that will help her in her new home and relationship. So, make sure your bridesmaids know where you are registered, and let them handle some of the responsibility!  

Ask a question, suggest a future topic or send a comment to us at info@bloomeryweddings.com.