6 weeks to a wedding - Thanks 5 - BAKED OCCASIONS

BAKED OCCASIONS owner Cindy Murphy made the most wonderful wedding cake.  When Cindy and I met in November, she had already planned on moving her store from Port Charlotte into her Sugar Island Cupcakes Store in Punta Gorda. Everything was being moved the last week of December.  HUMMM>>> the wedding is the last week of December.  Cindy is just a CAN DO type of gal, and said ABSOLUTELY when I told her Shannon and Nick's story.  Plus I think she thought I was a crazy woman trying to put everything together for a wedding in 6 weeks when the bride and groom were not even in the area. 

The cake layers were vanilla, chocolate, vanilla -  with frosting in between the layers (yep, no filling for Shannon - it's a texture thing).  And the cake was covered with the best fondant I have ever tasted.  It was amazing, and thin as could be on the cake.   It was the best tasting cake I have had in a long long time.

Cindy was able to add calla lilies to the cake to continue the theme.  The topper and stand were perfect for the cake. 

WOW- Thanks CINDY - You made an absolutely wonderful cake.  BAKED OCCASIONS is tops in my book.  Can't wait to see you at the farmers markets with your SUGAR ISLAND CUPCAKES. 

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

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 - 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 !!!!...........

6 weeks to a wedding - 6

CAKE - Thanks to Baked Occasions in Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte Fl.  WOW Cindy makes the most amazing cakes.  Tasted the french vanilla today.  And her fondant is sublime.  I always thought fondant was yuck to say the least - that is until today.  Homemade fondant using a sheeter to get it thin as possible, what an amazing difference.  It is light and fantastic just like the cake.  Her creations are from the beautiful and classic to the fun and inventive.  She's moving her shop from Port Charlotte to Punta Gorda @ Sugar Island Cupcakes in December.     She also makes the most scrumptious and huge cup cakes ever in loads of flavors.  You can see her at the Punta Gorda Saturday Farmers Market or the Sanibel Island Farmers Market on Sundays.  Be sure to stop by and taste her creations.  And in the meantime check out the cakes on her web site.  Baked Occasions Cakes.