6 weeks to a wedding - The day after and THE DRESS

We could not have asked for better weather yesterday.  The skies were clear and the sun was warm.  The wedding was perfect.  And I can finally show you THE DRESS.  Thank you Alfred Angelo Fort Myers Florida for having the PERFECT dress for Shannon.  And by the way - Betty White - thanks so much for surprising me and flying Shannon down to Florida and joining us for the very successful  hunt for THE DRESS. 

6 weeks to a wedding - TODAY

Everything is in place and ready for the wedding. This  has gone so quickly.  Breakfast, hair appointment, taking all of the items to the Portofino. 

6 weeks to a wedding - T-1 day

Oh this has been so very much fun.  All of Nick's family are here for another of the COLDEST weeks in warm, sunny Florida.  Everything is ready!!!!!!  But everyone is COLD.  We are hoping for warmer weather tomorrow afternoon (everyone went out yesterday and bought sweatshirts and sweaters). 

Today the flowers are to be delivered.  And we have only a few items on the agenda. 

• Finish the angels for the favors
• Take flowers to Cindy for the cake
• Pack up all of the items that will go to Pat at the Portifino on Wednesday morning
• Grocery shop for the few things that are needed for the dinner tonight
• Buy live shrimp so the boys can fish off the dock today.  Am hoping they catch something......

Tomorrow
Breakfast with all of the girls  @Hendricks Food Vault
Shannon gets her hair done at 10
All items over to Pat @Portifino at 11
A bunch of stuff in between and WEDDING at 2................................

This 6 weeks have gone by so quickly, I can hardly believe it.  I think we are all set!!! And we did not break the bank on any item.  I'll give you much more information after the wedding and get a final total of all the costs associated with the wedding.  You can be frugal and end up with a wonderful, joyous occasion and not continue to pay for it over the next 2 years.   Can't wait to post the pictures after.

Merry Christmas And Happy Holidays To Everyone -Punta Gorda Lighted Boat Parade

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

Our Boat Parade in Punta Gorda Florida

ENJOY AND HERE'S TO A FANTASTIC AND WONDER 2011

6 week to a wedding 13 - 1 week to go

I continue to say this and really mean that I cannot believe that everything is ready for a wedding that will take place Dec 29th that I learned about 5 weeks ago. 

Yesterday I remembered I had not bought the ribbon for the bouquet,  so on to the search.  And I found what will work perfectly.  Royal purple satin blanket binding ($3).  It is much heavier than regular satin ribbon.  There will be enough to wrap the bouquet securely and then have some streamers.

The vases for the sand ceremony came yesterday also. 
I am continuing to work on the angels that are the favors for everyone.  This should be done in the next couple of days. 

I'll contact everyone today to make sure everything is in place, and neither they or I have any questions.  The very final detail will be the weather forecast for that day.  So far 72 for the afternoon.  That would be perfect for an outdoor wedding.   

6 weeks to a wedding -13

WOW, thanks to The Knot the extra stuff is here.  I cannot believe just how fast they were getting them to us.  Napkins - printed, Cake knife and server - engraved, Bubbles, Golf T's imprinted, and some cameras so others can have fun taking pictures during the wedding and reception.  5 days from order to delivery to my door!!!!!  Wow. 

I still need the vases to be delivered for the Unity Sand Ceremony.  Emailed the Company today, and am hoping on Monday they can tell me the delivery date.  I have no tracking information yet from them.  The order was placed December 8th with no engraving!!!

I pick up Shannon's dress on the 22nd.   Flowers to be delivered the 28th.  Almost there.......

Have you heard of Operation: LoveReUnited?

I had not heard about this all volunteer photographer organization until my daughter told me about them.  If you know someone who is deployed, about to be deployed, or coming home you can contact Operation: LoveReUnited for a photo session.  The photos on the site and their mission are truly awesome.  We applaud the photographers who have decided to participate in such a nobel operation to thank our service men and women and their families. 

Have you heard about squareup.com?

I just heard about a great way to accept credit card payments through your android or apple product.  The cost appears to be better than many other options.  And they do not have a monthly contract fee.  The card reader attaches to your phone or iPad, your customer signs on your  them screen, and the receipt is emailed to the customer.  Cindy and her husband use it when they are selling their fabulous cupcakes at the farmers markets.  Now they can accept credit card payments easily, and process them immediately.  squareup.com

This has got to be one of the greatest idea ever.   Too bad they do not work yet on a blackberry.  @square

6 weeks to a wedding -12

Exactly 2 weeks from today Shannon will be getting married.  I can't believe how everything has fallen into place. 

The announcements finally came and are out in the mail today.  We also added some blank cards, self addressed envelopes, with instructions requesting that people fill them out with words of encouragement,  a recipe for a long and happy marriage or any other words of wisdom that they would like to give the happy couple.  When these are returned they will become part of the wedding album.  Its a great way for those that will not be attending to be able to let them know how much they are cared for. 

I met with Cindy at Baked Occasions this morning and handed over the ribbon, the cake top and the base for the top.  I can't believe that she has committed to making Shannons' cake all during a major move from her Wedding Cake shop in Port Charlotte to her shop in Punta Gorda.  (And she will be totally moved by the end of the year!!)  I have to remember to take her about a dozen of the calla lilies on the 28th so she can complete the cake.  Cindy told me this morning that she did a photo shoot for Harbor Style Magazine yesterday.  You should see the amazing cup cakes she had on display that were used in the shoot.  Thanks so much, and Congratulations Cindy.  She will be in their Feb. issue.

The Sand is here for the Unity Sand Ceremony, still waiting on the incidental stuff.  As long as it is here by the 28th I will be happy.

Bought the purple tulle today.  6 yards for around the cake and table, and another 20 for decorating the rest of the area. 

I started making the favors for everyone.  Mom always made these cute little angels that she gave away to everyone.  So that's what we are making.  She would have loved being here for Shannons' wedding and being a part of it!!!  So she definitely will be in spirit.  Once I have some completed I'll post pictures.

6 weeks to a wedding - THE DRESS

So the dress is the last thing on the list and thanks to Alfred Angelo Bridal in Fort Myers.  Alfred Angelo is having a sale that is 50% off  the 50% off tag.  The girls were pulling dresses and Shannon had found several that were fantastic.  WOW.  Then Serrin went through the racks one last time and found THE DRESS!!  Serrin started to cry when Shannon put it on and apparently Shannon had tried a dress on that looked very similar in Iowa.  And would you believe it - a PERFECT fit.  Only needs to be shortened since she will be wearing flip flops.   Wish I could post the picture, but I can't until after the wedding.  And you will not believe the deal we got on the dress.  Want to know what we paid???  Just ask or run quickly to Alfred Angelo before the sale ends.  YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Now we are working on activities for people to do if they want like fish, play golf or anything else. 

6 weeks to a wedding - 11 - 21 days and counting down

Wow, putting the finishing touches on the wedding plans.  Meeting with Cindy @ Baked Occasions set up for Monday to finalize the cake and hand over the cake topper and stand and the ribbon.  Spoke with Pat @ Portofino trying to figure out what we do with an outdoor wedding if it is as cold as it has been for the last couple of days here.  Shannon then also reminded me that they all live in IOWA where it was -6 this morning - without the wind chill!  I guess I really do not have to worry too much about 75 degree weather. 

Flowers - After speaking with loads of florists here in the area including several wholesalers we have settled on Abaco Flowers.  They are based out of Miami.  The flowers are shipped from the fields to my door.  They recommend getting the flowers 2 - 3 days in advance but because the wedding is the 29th and Christmas is just before, the flowers are set for a 12/28 delivery.  Price?  Local florists want $10 per stem for Calla lilies.  At Abaco I ordered a quarter box, which is 50 stems for $99 and that includes shipping. 

Unity Sand Ceremony - Shannon and Nick want to have a Unity Sand ceremony.  It's alot like the unity candle, but using sand and layering into one container.  Thanks to Specialty Stores Inc, (which happens to be based out of Bellevue, Washington just a few minutes up the freeway form our old home in Maple Valley) I found the exact vases and stand that Shannon wanted.  Thanks also to Sandsational Sparkle for the sand - they were the only ones that had both of the colors we needed, Royal purple and moss green.

Misc stuff - Thanks to The Knot I was able to do some one-stop-shopping for all of the other stuff.  Bubbles, personalized napkins, personalized cake knife and server, personalized golf tee's, and some wedding cameras for everyone to take other pics too.  A great deal and a 20% off coupon too. 

THE DRESS????????????  Is still n the not found list. 

Announcements - Shannon had to call yesterday to see what was going on.  Appears that things were not as described on the web site as to processing and shipping commitments - along with poor communication.  But at least they said they would get them out ASAP and send them express at no extra charge.  Was hoping to have them for this weekend to get them addressed.  Looks like it will be a next week item. 

All in all, I am amazed at how all of this is coming together.  21 days and counting>>>>>>>>

6 Weeks to a wedding - 10

WOW, I am totally amazed at how many things have fallen into place for Shannon and Nicks wedding.
 

Wedding Officiant Simple Seaside Weddings.  What a great find and Avis supports Brides Against Breast Cancer.
Wedding Album - Ordered and received in 4 days time. Thanks so much Aspinal of London.
Venue for the wedding and food -  The Portifino just across the bridge into Port Charlotte.
CAKE TOPPER - Thanks to The Jane Williams Collections for the fantastic cake topper.
CAKE - Thanks to Baked Occasions in Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte Fl.  WOW Cindy makes the most amazing cakes.
Toasting Flutes -  Thanks to Sowers Glass Engraving Shoppe in Port Orange, Florida.
Announcements - Shannon has ordered and they should be on their way here.  Can't wait to be able to get them out for the 2 of them.
Thank you Photography by Lester Kuhn.   I am so very happy that this piece is now complete.  Check out his outstanding photos online.  And a fantastic price to boot.

 Can you believe that this has all come together in just a couple of weeks.  Still to go are flowers.  Announcements need to get out when they get here, and finalize the menu at Portifino and cake delivery time.  Then pay for the rest of the cake and set up the delivery time with them.  Not long now.  Trying to figure out what I am missing.  Don't want to be surprised the day of !!!!...........

Don't you love good chowder when it turns cold!!!

We stopped at the local Richards Organic Food market in Port Charlotte this morning and they had beautiful leeks.  YUMMY - Potato leek soup.  Now I always like to experiment with different recipes and never stick with the same one... So here is the one today for Rachael Ray  Potato Bacon Leek and Crab Chowder.  I left out the crab, and it makes one very delicious chowder.  Some fresh rolls along side.  What a wonderful meal.  And talk about fast. 

6 weeks to a wedding - 9

Photographer - found, contract to be signed ASAP. 

Thank you Photography by Lester Kuhn.   I am so very happy that this piece is now complete.  Check out his outstanding photos online.  And a fantastice price to boot.

6 weeks to a wedding - 28 days to go

We may have just found the photographer.  Am really excited.  He does have availability for the date, and his son is getting back for Iraq on Dec 16th.  Will post more later when every detail is confirmed.  Now for the flowers.  I think we are closing in on those too.  If we get these from a bulk supplier, we can get more, and use them on the cake and in some vases for decoration.