6 weeks to a wedding - Thanks 7 - PORTOFINO continued

The PORTOFINO had just completed a down stairs patio and bar area that worked perfectly for the reception.  This are was also much more private for us all. 

We wanted a very simple dinner set up and we did not have a huge number of guests.   Pat pre set the tables for us since the reception and appetizers started immediately after the ceremony.  Notice that she thought a head and since we were outdoors she turned the plates and the water goblets over so they would not get dusty or sandy. 

The view of the water was grand.  Pat also did a fantastic job setting up the table for Nick and Shannon.

6 weeks to a wedding - Thanks 6 - Sowers Glass

When we started to look for toasting flutes we addressed what should be engraved onthe glasses.  Once they decidede that it would be great to have the Army Seal on one side and their names and date on the other.  I found some companies that could engrave their names and date, but did not do the seal.  So once again started the hunt for the perfect  military toasting flutes.  I had finally found a company that could do this and then......  On a bright Monday morning I went to order them......  and the company was in restructuring and could not accept orders!!!  Oh no!  Lets start again.  So this time I searched for "wedding flute engraving in florida"  and I fould Sowers Glass Engraving.  I called the store and spoke with Sherrie Sowers another can do kind of gal, and heard "Absolutely, I can do that".  Sherrie emailed me with several Army Seal designs that she could put on the glasses and Shannon was able to choose the perfect one. 

THANKS so much to SOWERS GLASS ENGRAVING the toasting flutes were perfect.  Sherrie completed the flutes so fast and shipping was perfect.  We were al so pleased.  She also told me they can engrave almost anything, and you can see some of their items on their web site.  In fact you can see a picture of the exact flutes.   THANKS AGAIN.

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

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.