6 weeks to a wedding - Thanks 4 - ABACO Flowers

So when I could not find flowers in or local area for a price that was in our budget, I began searching the internet.  I found loads of places online that specialized in wholesale flowers, but many of these required a minimum of 250 stems ordered, or just did not have the flowers we were looking for.  Many places both locally and on line were just too expensive and I would have only had the few flowers for the bouquet and no others for the cake or tables.  Then I found ABACO FLOWERS.

ABACO FLOWERS had just what we wanted, at a price we could afford and would be delivered on time.  The flowers were ordered in mid-December with a delivery date of December 28th.  And bright and early the morning of the 28th a FedEx truck stopped and delivered our flowers.  The flower heads were individually wrapped, and they were in perfect condition. We removed the wrapping, cut the stems, and place them in water, placing them in the living room where they would warm in the sunshine coming in the front window.  Within several hours you could see the flowers starting to open more.   ABACO  recommends that you receive the flowers 2 - 3 days before your party so the "sleeping" flowers will have time to "wake up".  We did not have that luxury since there were no deliveries on Monday, the day after Christmas. 

We took the 5 largest Calla Lilies, arranged them and then began wrapping from the bottom using a royal purple satin blanket binding.  I choose satin blanket binding because it is very sturdy, it also comes double thickness

How to - find the middle of the binding (be sure the fold is pointing to the top of the bouquet)  and place it under the flower stems while someone else holds the flowers for you.  Then begin by crossing the left over to the right of the flowers, then the right over to the left.  Bring each around to the front and keep wrapping the binding up toward the top of the flowers.  End by tying in a bow.  Easy  as could be and we made Shannon's Bouquet for less than $15, when any florist would have charged $50 - $85.

We also had enough flowers for the cake as well as arrangements for the tables and the bar. 

When Shannon flew out on January 1, her bouquet looked just as fresh as the day the flowers arrived.  THANK YOU ABACO FLOWERS. 

Photos: Lester Kuhn Photography and Serrin Boys Photography.  No Photogragh may be used or reproduced without permission.

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.

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>>>>>>>>