Shakespeare's Castle

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The ceremony will take place at Olde Stonewall Golf Course on the castle's 2nd floor patio.


Time: 5:30 p.m. (on the "UP swing!")

CASTLE FACTS:
  • THE BOULDERS that line the parking lot and landscape the property were quarried
    from the former Medusa Aggregates. The rocks weigh between 2 - 7 tons. The boulders were transported 11 miles to the site. There are 600 million lbs. of rock on the premises.
  • THE "COBBLESTONE" driveway, sidewalks and back patio are actually "stamped" concrete. A black glazing was applied then rinsed. This method of antiquing gives the appearance of cobblestone.
  • THE PAIR OF GARGOYLE LIGHTS on each side of the entrance doors were purchased at an auction for $ 40,000.00. The 100 year old lights, once part of the Vanderbilt Estate, were restored locally by Gecina Electric.
  • THE LARGE FRONT ENTRY DOORS were created by Fred Stephan, Big Bend Wood & Glass of Mercer, PA. They are 12 ft. high and each weighs 800 lbs. The decorative hinges and bolted locks were hand tooled from copper as were the gargoyle serpent door handles by a blacksmith from Oil City, PA.
  • THE 6 FT. SUITS OF ARMOR are replicas of medieval suits of armor. They were made in Toledo, Spain.
  • THE CONCAVE HALL CEILING is finished in a painting style traditional of 16th century castles during Shakespeare's time. The artists painted a sunset into the ceiling
    on the West Lounge Exit.
  • THE BLACK BEVELED GLASS DOORS entering into the lobby are from a Victorian house circa 1890 in Reading PA. When the owner acquired them only one side of the doors were ornate. Fred Stephan of Big Bend Wood and Glass decorated the other side to match.
  • THE PAINTING IN THE LOBBY is a tri-fold entitled, "Song of Sixpence." An original 1912, D.C. Lithgow, the paintings depict a medieval feast as done by court jesters. The other two smaller paintings hang in the main dining area.
  • THE 13-FT MAHOGANY BUFFET TABLE in the castle lobby was hand crafted with parts originating from 1600's. This fabulous piece was finished in the 1800's and still bears that finish. The three vases are rare Royal Moroccan Art Pottery Vases with fine Silver Wire Work.
  • THE CARPETS AND TAPESTRIES throughout the castle were purchased by our owner on his many trips throughout Europe.
  • THE FLOORS OF THE CASTLE are New York Blue Stone characteristic of 16th century English Castles. The different sized pieces create a random authentic appearance.
  • THE SWORDS, SHIELDS AND BATTLE ORNAMENTS hung throughout the castle were imported from Toledo, Spain. They are authentic copies of the originals.
  • THE CHANDELIERS hanging in the main dining room were from former churches in
    the Pittsburgh area. They were shipped to a huge warehouse in McDonald, PA where our owner found them, purchased them and had them restored.
  • THE PATIO features original sculptures entitled, "The Five Senses," overlooking the English Knot Garden.
  • THE ENGLISH KNOT GARDEN features a 20 ft. oval water fountain entitled
    "The Three Pans," which originated in Florence, Italy. The knots of the garden are formed by planting bushes close enough to each other so they will grow in and amongst themselves. The knots are more visible from the upper patio. The garden is planted with fragrant annual flowers every spring and also features two topiaries at each end.
  • THE WALLS OF THE CASTLE were constructed from cross-cut oak. The carpenters finished the downstairs wood in dark mahogany. The second floor is finished in white oak.
  • THE GRAND HALL has a seating capacity of 250. It features magnificent tapestries and bronze chandeliers.

DIY Aisle Runner

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Step1: Place & Center
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Step 2: Trace & Begin Painting
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Step 3: Continue Painting with Single Color
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Step 4: Add Second Color
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Ta-Da!
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Ring Bags

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So Cute!  Got these from Oriental Trading.

Bridesmaid Bouquet Initials

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Got these from Pat Catan's.  I like the idea of having the bouquets personalized.