Cake & Flowers Recommendations

kareneweigel2008

Hi Everybody,

It's been an interesting month for me.  On 9/28, I had an aneurysm rupture and miraculously, not only did it not kill me, it didn't debilitate me in any way.  Well, it's made me uber-paranoid about any pain in my head and I had numbness on the tip of my tongue for 3 weeks but the feeling has returned.  Since this happened, I have realized that not only am I marrying the right guy because he helped me from the moment it happened and has never left me... but  it's also made me realize that I'm done with sweating the small stuff.  In that, I am trying to streamline my wedding plans and make it as simple as possible. 

Has anybody used grocery stores for their wedding cakes?  If so, where, how much and was it pretty good?  I just want a nice tiered cake-- it doesn't have to be "perfect". I'm inviting 120 people but I don't expect that all will make it.

Flowers.  I want to use Swan Island Dahlias for my table flowers but for my bouquets, I want to have a florist and I want roses.  I'm hoping for under $500.  I want a bouquet, 3 bridesmaids bouquets, 1 flower girl, Groom, 2 groomsmen, 1 grooms chick, 2 Dads bouts, 2 Moms corsages.  Any recommendations?  I read on here that someone recommend New Seasons but am curious as to how much.  I went there a few months ago but they told me to come back 6 weeks before my wedding but didn't give me an estimate. 

I welcome any ideas and recommendations.  I just want to make this wedding about marrying the man I love and having my good friends and family along to witness it.  I'm done with stressing out over the details. 

Thanks Everybody....

Karen

nbcarlson

I know my FI brother and sister-in-law used Albertsons for their cake, it was really nice but their fondant frosting is not that great, I was there the other day and their nice cakes were around $250, I haven't gotten an estimate for my cake yet, but that doesn't really seem like you are saving a lot but I don't really know!

Portland09102011

Congratulations on your recovery!

I just went to Lam's Market for a consultation on both flowers and cake.
They have a great reputation on the board for cakes and they taste great because they use buttercream instead of the fondant. For a 150 slices in a 3 tiered cake they quoted me around $380 + extra for delivery fees and elaborate decorations.

The florists was supper nice but they don't rent vases, only sell them, and I can't imagine paying for all that (which inspired my last post). For flowers for all the people I think you could stay within budget. Bridal bouquets were $100 to $150, bridesmaids were around $50, mom/grandma flowers were $20 to $25 and boutonnieres start at $10.

If you you really want to keep life simple, the florist told me lots of brides just give her a color or a flower they like and let her do everything else. I would want more input than that, but I'm sure those brides end up happy and have less stress.

bunchkie

I used Page Bender at Vibrant Table.  Beautiful flowers and she's really creative and featured in lots of magazines.  Works with lots of different sized budgets.

I ordered my cake at Pambiche and it was super delicious... I have heard good things about Lamb's Thriftway as well.

Happy planning!

mayflymanitou

Lamb's Thriftway is highly recommended on this board for budget friendly but delicious cakes- it's yummy stuff. 

As for flowers, you should be able to find a florist who can accomodate your needs for under $500.  That's not an unreasonable budget for the items you're wanting them to provide.  The only variable may be the type of roses you want- some varieties are pricier than others.  Another cost-saving option may be to ask them to incorporate some of your dahlias into the bouquets, bouts, and corsages.  Dahlias mix really well with the roses and give a lush feel to the arrangements (and cost a lot less). 

Glad to hear that you're OK after your health scare- it definitely puts things in perspective

jess9802

If there's a nearby Market of Choice, check them out. The ones here in Eugene are great and make fabulous cakes. I plan on buying our wedding cake from MoC.

kareneweigel2008

Thanks, Girls!!

danibruno

Im using Green in Bloom (greeninbloom.com) for my florist.  I chose GIB for her beautiful work and budget friendly ideas (plus a referral from a close friend)! My bridesmaid bouquets are under $30 each, bouts are $7 and corsages are $12. Check her out!

thecatergator

My daughter used Helen Bernhardt's Bakery in Portland.  They were a little less expensive than Lamb's Thriftway  (I was surprised.)  I have used them personally for years with at least 6 wedding cakes.  Absolutely great tasting and looking.  I highly recommend them.

tvlducky24

I recomend Pink Princess Cakes in stayton they are amazing and have great prices i got a 4 tiered fondant cake with flower for $ 350 and it turned out amazingly beautiful.

kareneweigel2008

Thank you! I did end up going to a tasting at Lamb's and just went ahead and ordered my cake right then and there.  It ended up being $385 for 3 square tiers (plus an extra anniversary cake).