At the Bridal Events bridal show the other day, we were asked by several brides about black magic roses against a wine colored dress for their bridesmaids.  Other florists had suggested doing this, but we say think twice.  What looks great to the human eye can look completely different to the camera’s digital sensor.

To start with, a Black Magic rose is really just a deep burgundy.  The color cannot be guaranteed—it’s a flower.  Sometimes you get a really deep, luscious burgundy, and sometimes you get closer to maroon or crimson.  No one has any control over the exact color, that’s just how the plants grow.  In this case, you’ll have a clash between the redder shades of the flower and the bluer shades in the dresses.

Secondly, Black Magic don’t photograph well.  I’ll ask Paul Meyer to add some technical details on his blog (he was the photographer next to us at the show, and I talked to him about this idea a little).  Because of the blues and intense reds, Black Magic can saturate the sensor in a digital camera, and getting them to look good requires some color shifting in Photoshop.  Without some time intensive layering techniques, this is going to change the colors of everything in the photo, too.

Besides the saturation, the velvety petals on Black Magic absorb a lot of light.  In lower light conditions (like a romantic reception, or some artistic photography on location), they tend to completely disappear, especially when placed against a dark background.  They’ll show up against a bride’s white dress, but not against the bridesmaids’ wine dresses.  If you add in other colors (the suggested color was hot pink to pop off the deep reds), you’ll end up with dots of hot pink and holes where the Black Magic should be.

We don’t want to give you the idea to not use Black Magic roses—we love them, and they’re beautiful.  We just suggest you don’t use them in bridesmaids bouquets if they’re wearing wine (or similarly) colored dresses.  Also, if you are using Black Magic roses at all, talk to your photographer for any suggestions they have for planned photos, so they don’t end up with a lot of unusable shots.

We’re pleased to announce the arrival of Red Leaf Papers Wedding Invitations.  Red Leaf Papers invitations are known for one-of-a-kind designs, described as “exhilarating” and “refreshing”.  As with other invitations, you receive a 30% discount on Red Leaf Papers invitations.

Also available wit the 30% discount are special occasion invitations and holiday and party invitations from Red Leaf Papers.

Please note that there is no book for the Red Leaf Papers invitations and stationery.  This means all orders have to be placed online.

At today’s Bridal Events Bridal Show, we were asked a number of times, “I want to have peonies in my wedding, but they’re out of season.  Can you suggest any alternatives?”  Peonies are interesting because despite modern cultivation and transportation practices, they are still very seasonal. 

There is nothing that looks like a peony, but you can get close.  Certain varieties of garden roses can be a very close substitute for a peony.  You can contrast the flowers below with our pink peony and rose bouquet or our pink peony, Esperance and Sweet Escimo rose bouquet.  All photos are courtesy of our friends at Transflora, a wholesaler to retail florists only.  Contact your local florist for pricing information (if you’re in the Pittsburgh/Butler/New Castle PA area, we’d love to talk to you).

Many peonies have a soft floral fragrance.  Yves Piaget and Pink Piaget both have a beautiful rosy fragrance (Yves Piaget may be the most beautifully scented flower we’ve ever found).

Yves Piaget

Pink Piaget

Antique Romantica

Carla Romantica

Our first bridal show of 2009 is the Bridal Events show at the Four Points Sheraton Pittsburgh North.  We’ll be there with samples and ideas for your perfect wedding.  This is the only wedding show we’re planning to attend in the Cranberry Township area, so we hope to see you there!

Full details at http://www.bridalevents.com/NewBridalEvents/Details/details.htm.

We’re thrilled to announce that the Butler Country Club has selected The Bloomery as their florist for their wedding and event packages.  Some of our favorite weddings have been at the BCC, and most of the images in their gallery are work we’ve done.  They were a Featured Location in July 2006, and where we did the Hydrangea, Stock and Peach Rose Centerpieces we features in 2007.

You can see the Butler Country Club at the Wedding Clickers show tomorrow at the Pittsburgh Marriott North.  We’re delivering a couple of the package arrangements for them in the morning, so you get an idea of some of the choices.  Let’s just say this—the BCC wanted their flower options to be very generous to provide a great value to brides.

Pantone reports (from Fashion Week) that hues of blue and lavender extend the trend from fall 2008, and yellow and rose colors are becoming popular for evoking optimism.  From their report:

As is often true, colors evolve from season to season, and spring ’09 is no exception.  Palace Blue, a favorite among designers this season, takes a steadfast, classic, spring navy-like tone and makes it sparkle.  Paired with just about any color in the report, it offers many intriguing spring combinations.  Taking purple in a lighter direction, Lavender presents a softer, more summery hue, extending the mystical aspects of purple available last fall.

As yellow continues to make its mark on the world of fashion, tangy Super Lemon brings a fun, optimistic outlook to the palette.  Its luminosity is determined to evoke a smile and attract the roving consumer’s eyes.  Taking a cue from its lemony neighbor, friendly and approachable Salmon Rose also conveys an optimistic outlook.  The subtlest of oranges, Salmon Rose is flattering to most complexions and is beautiful with a summer glow.  Think sensual and seductive Fuchsia Red for clothing, as well as lipstick and nail polish selections, this spring.  With its blue undertones, this cool red is a real show-stopper, adding a sense of elegance to the palette.

Stabilizing neutrals provide practicality in a changing economic landscape.  Not your average beige, Rose Dust breaks away from the typical neutrals associated with spring by adding dimension with subtle rose undertones.  And with its bluish-green undertones, cool Slate Gray is a nuanced neutral that can be paired with any of the other nine colors in the report.

Three greens, each with their own distinct personality, round out the color palette for spring ‘09, perpetuating the idea of freshness and renewal.  Vibrant Green, the quintessential spring hue, brings a true verdancy to the palette in a time of revitalization.  Dark Citron, a citrus-inspired green, is calmer and more serious than most, offering an element of sophistication to the mix.  Reflective Lucite Green, a clean, clear subtle hue, adds a slight shimmer.

Full story, including swatches and commentary from top designers, at http://www.pantone.com/pages/Pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=20619&ca=4

Good news for those in the market for wedding invitations--Carlson Craft now offers a proof option!  After you select your verse and personalization, you check the box at the bottom of the page and select the ensemble items you need proofs for.  Your order is saved, and within two business days you'll receive a PDF via e-mail showing your lettering and personalization.  You review the proofs, then make changes or finalize your order.  Your order will not be printed until you finalize it, so don't forget to do so.

Carlson Craft prints some of the hottest wedding invitations, including Pockets invitations, the made from recycled paper Naturally Ever After collection, and the ever popular Disney wedding invitations.  And, The Bloomery offers a 30% discount on wedding invitations every day!

In addition to wedding invitations, Carlson Craft also prints holiday cards (featuring Chloe B holiday cards) and business stationery, all of which we also offer at 30% off every day! (note: we can offer Chloe B at 20% off only)

For generations, small tissue papers were staples of wedding invitations.  Recently, Carlson Craft has discontinued tissues with most of their invitations printed with ink.  Here's Carlson Craft's message to their dealers:

At Carlson Craft, we believe it is our responsibility to make a positive impact on the communities in which we live, work and serve.  Therefore, our commitment to th environment is reflected in our industry leadership.

To extend out commitment to the environment, as of November 3, 2008, tissues will no longer be included with Carlson Craft wedding invitations, with the exception of engraved invitations.

Based on Carlson Craft's research, we have found that most customers no longer use tissues with their wedding invitations.  In the past, tissues were used as a buffer to prevent wet ink from smearing.  Today's ink does not smear, therefore tissues are no longer necessary.

Most brides choose ink printed invitations, which are lower cost and more colorful.  These invitations will not include tissues.  Some brides, however, still choose to have their invitations "engraved", which uses a different type of ink applied in a different way, leaving a raised surface and giving a more classic, elegant look.  These invitations will still include tissues, and you should still use the tissues to protect the printing of an engraved invitation.

Some of our favorite weddings we've been a part of have been held at the Butler Country Club.  We blogged  Butler Country Club as one of our Featured Locations in 2006 (http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/blog/FeaturedLocationButlerCountryClub.aspx), and two of the three weddings in their photo gallery were ours (one of which we also featured as our Hydrangea, Stock And Peach Rose Centerpieces).

The Club recently updated its wedding information page, including menu and bar selections.  This is a great opportunity to have your wedding in an elegant hall with top notch chefs and bartenders at your service (trust us, the food is fantastic).

Also, we'd like to congratulate the Club on its 100th anniversary this year!

Our friends at Paul Meyer Photography need two models for a bridal photography workshop:

Here are the details:

• Date:  Tuesday, September 30th
• Time:  11am - 6pm
• What:  Shoot with Beckstead workshop (check out link for a video clip of how it will go and what kind of photos come out of it all)
• Who:  David Beckstead (one of the top ten wedding photographers in the world, Paul, Cyndy, and about 10 other photographers all taking your photo!)
• Where:  Harmony & Zelienople area (just north of Pittsburgh)
• Attire:  Wedding dress, hair and makeup.  You can wear your own dress and veil or borrow one from our collection (I’ll need your size)
• Benefits:  You will receive a collection of high fashion digital images from a dozen different photographers.  What a way to get one more use out of your wedding dress!

Disclaimer:  We’ll be working outside so your dress will get street dirt on it.  But this session will not involve water like our Splash the Dress sessions.

If you are interested, please send Paul your name and phone number along with a recent photo - PaulMeyer@PaulMeyerPhotography.com or give us a call at 724-467-2391.

Full story at http://beautifulalbums.com/blog/?p=205