629 couples vow to set record
By Brian C. RittmeyerTRIBUNE-REVIEWMonday, February 11, 2008

Some couples had been married for less than a year, and one was married for more than 60.
There were brides wearing their wedding gowns, and a couple wearing Penguins jerseys.
Ten were celebrating their wedding anniversaries on Sunday. Another nine will celebrate on Valentine's Day.

"Re-Union: The World's Largest Wedding Vow Renewal Ceremony" was staged at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland as part of the yearlong celebration of Pittsburgh's 250th anniversary.

To be part of the official count, couples -- who paid $30 each to participate -- had to follow a detailed check-in system, bring a copy of their original marriage certificate and recite the same vows to each other. A reception with wedding cake and champagne followed.

Check out the full article in the Pittsburgh Trib.

CoverGirl Bridal Challenge
Posted by PittsburghLive.com/Trib Total Media


Calling all brides-to-be! On Thursday, February 21st, local brides will be put to the ultimate test when they are challenged to outlast their CoverGirl Lipcolor in a wedding day inspired contest.
Through a series of obstacles at the PPG Place, Pittsburgh brides-to-be will compete in a crazed course, completing tasks that include "elegantly sipping" champagne and devouring wedding cake.
The bride who finishes the course first with her lipstick intact will be declared the winner of the CoverGirl Outlast Bridal Challenge in Pittsburgh and will receive a wedding cake courtesy of Prantl’s Bakery, a $500 gift certificate to David's Bridal and their own personal CoverGirl makeup artist on the day of their wedding.
For more information, check out the event listing in the PittsburghLIVE events calendar.

WHO: Open to Pittsburgh Brides-to-be
WHAT: CoverGirl Outlast Bridal Challenge
WHEN: Thursday, February 21st, 2008 at 11 a.m.
WHERE: PPG Place
Wintergarden at PPG Place
200 Three PPG Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
RSVP: Brides@OutLastChallenge.com

How To Make A Crystal Wedding Tree

This video was found at http://www.videojug.com/ and made by Cristalier http://www.cristalier.com/

A Stunning Focal Point for the room! Perfect for Wedding Receptions, Showers, Engagement, Parties and Brunches.

These trees are absolutely Stunning! They can be used on all of your tables for your centerpieces or just a few. They can be used as accents around the venue such as on the escort card table, or sitting at a special drink station.

Hang votives with candles or use flickering battery powered amber colored simulated flame candles (Depending on the flames proximity to something flammable like another branch, METAL trees as well as artificial and real wood trees, candelabra, pillar candles, etc. have ALL been involved in fires at venues so battery candles are ALWAYS safer. As with ANY centerpiece using candles use precaution!) with ribbons in a matching or accent color to your wedding theme. Hang strands of Swarvoski crystal, faux crystal (acryllic) or hang individual pieces with fishing wire. Add flowers of almost any kind to the branches and decorate the base of the tree with the same flowers. Add Crystal candle holders with taper candles and votives around the base to complete the look.

You can place the large trees on a few tables and then make smaller centerpieces using branches in vases on the other tables. You can make each tree slightly different while maintaining a uniform look with the crystals. (adding leaves and butterflies, glass dew drop vases filled with flowers, test-tube hanger vases wrapped with tiny beads , garlands of flowers, vines, etc.) Just remember that your centerpieces are tall enough that guests can see across the table.

The trees come in several colors such as:

Bright White; High Gloss or Matte or Glitter Dusted
Shimmering Gold
Metallic Silver; Chrome or Matte
Manzanita Red-Brown
Almond Creme
Mocha Java -Glossy Brown
Glossy Jet Black

Trees are made from metal or wrought iron, some are faux Manzanita branches or natural Manzantia (The Manzanitas are a subgenus of the genus Arctostaphylos. They are evergreen shrubs or small trees (with white or pink flowers for example...) present in the chaparral biome of western North America, where they occur from southern British Columbia in Canada, Washington to California and New Mexico in the United States, and throughout much of northern and central Mexico. They are characterised by smooth, orange or red bark and stiff, twisting branches. There are about 60 species of manzanita)

The possibilities for decorationg these is trees is endless.

Supplies to make your crystal wedding trees can be found at your local craft stores. Ask your local nursery for recommendations on purchasing live plants. After all, you want them to look great throughout the entire evening and be able to support the numerous crystals you hang on them.
Some places to buy supplies include:

Cristalier.com, Michaels, Pat Catans, Hobby Lobby, etheraldecor.com

How to Make Crystal Wedding Trees for Outdoor Wedding

If you are planning an outdoor ceremony or outdoor reception, you can use the surrounding trees to turn your wedding into a crystal fantasy. Not only will you save money, but decorating will be a breeze.
Large trees can easily accommodate long strands upwards of 6 feet in length. Hang the strands close together and place lighting near the tree so that it illuminates the crystals as evening approaches.
Use potted trees (faux or live) between 4 and 6 feet tall to enhance your ceremony and head table staging areas. Hang crystals from branches. Wrap small white lights around the trunk and branches for an added lightingeffect.

*Interesting side note...these trees, with the branches removed are used as play gyms in bird cages....

Don't Miss "A Bridal Show" Presented by Events By Dominico Sunday March 30,2008 at the Belle Vernon Holiday Inn. For more information see the shows add located on the left side of this page or if you have any questions, please call Melinda Dominico at 724-989-3590 or email Dominico@DominicoConsulting.com.

Tickets are available at the door, however, by pre-registering you will save time at the door and will be eligible to enter into the Pre-Registration Grand Prize.
htp://www.Dominico Consulting.com

Please complete the registration form at http://www.DominicoConsulting.com and return by mail with your check of $5.00 per person attending. We will email you a registration confirmation and a ticket to print out. Bring this ticket with you the day of the show, we will attach it to your registration form and you will have quicker access. Please state if you need your ticket sent by U.S. mail, there is a $1.00 service fee added to the total. Tickets to be mailed must be ordered by March 20, 2008.