Some exciting checks and some questions (LONG)

Angie.Lapkov

Been a while since i posted, how is everyone? It's hot and nasty here, eeeeekk!!


My best and most humongous check.......
NO TENTS! I'm super excited!!! We've  got a house, one of our friends offered their vacation spot on Longboat key, what a relief!! I was in tears when i've heard the news, wahhhhhh!!!!! GIANT CHECK!!!!

We got 35 YES's from our guests, we have invited 50, so that's a check!

I was originally thinking going with a red theme, and picked the dress i liked, but then i thought, why? It will be very simple ceremony, so I'm back to the dress world to pick something light and breezy. Not quiet a check yet, but it's coming!!

Flip-Flops are hot now, so no bulky shoes! I know, I'm re-doing the whole freaking thing, ugh! Found cute white ones, i might actually end up going barefoot! Check!

Cake, we will be going with Publix, i didn't feel like we need a special cake person making it, and be too expensive. Publix it is! Check!

White shirts and pants for the boys! Barefoot!!  Check!

Super excited about my photographer, booked her a while while back, can't wait for our engagement session closer to our wedding day. If anyone still looking, give her a call, she is super flexible and super nice and funny. Check out her blog.
www.intruecolors.com/blog

DJ and Video are out of the question as it stands. We are getting married in a private residence with a wonderful beach view, no need for bulky DJ set up's and Video,  Check!

NOW, THE QUESTIONS!

I was wondering if it's a good idea to cook ourselves or to hire a caterer? We will have no more then 50 people, may be even less. Sooooooo, how much catering runs? Anyone know any good caterers and how much they are? How soon do i need to look for one if we do decide to cater.

Florists, has anyone ever heard of Naked Florist? I'm very much intrigued by the name LOL. It's probably too early for flowers, but has any one used the following:
Beneva Flowers
Flower Girls of Sarasota
Elegant designs
Naked Florist
Any experience, etc..?

I'm super excited! I'm getting pretty much everything done, all on my own with a few helpers here and there :):):):):):  I will be done with my planning WAY before my wedding, this is going to be a vacation time LOL

Thank you for your thoughts and advise.

babybchbum

WOW! Great relief to have gotten so much done! 

Olympia catering is Awesome and can even drop off the food if you prefer. Many Restraunt will even cater for a reasonable price.

Angie.Lapkov

babybchbum, where is Olympia located? Do they do tasting or anything like that?? Are they local to Sarasota? I've never heard of them. Thanks

Kristin789

We had Publix do the cake AND the flowers.
Flowers were perfect and 1/3 the cost of the stand-alone florists.
Might check that out.

babybchbum

Olympia is Located in Tampa and do tastings... I had them do my graduation party recently and it was all wonderful they also did  the cake (and was about $8 cheaper than publix)

I know they deliver all over the area so you may want to call and talk to them. I've been working with Sherri who has been wonderful.

Phone #: 813.251.8225

Angie.Lapkov

thank you babybch, i'm afraid they're going to slam me with delivery fees, Tampa is quiet the distance. I will check on local companies.

Kristine, flowers from Publix sounds like a great idea, i've never thought of that, I'll look into it.

Thanks!

daisyjack

Bee Ridge Florist is awesome!  The owner himself does your consultation and gives you a quote right there, his prices are really reasonable especially considering the quality.  Rumor has it that he now has a wedding coordinator (a REAL ONE) on staff that is awesome at helping find vendors and making sure they do right by the brides.  He actually shows you REAL flowers...most of the other places just show pics...not a single live bloom.  I read about the naked florist in a sarasota magazine...apparently "naked" means the flowers are all organically grown...which in my mind equals upcharge.  I haven't heard good things about Beneva and I've never heard of the others...which makes me wonder how many wedding flowers they actually do?

I've had friends do their own food for small weddings and every time they've always said they wished they had just gotten a caterer....the headache wasn't worth the money saved.  I've heard good things about Simply Gourmet and Sarasota Catering Company.

Angie.Lapkov

daisy, wow, thank you for all the info. Bee Ridge Florist is not far away from my house, that's a great idea!!!!  Thank you for that info, i should have known.
Naked florist isn't actually naked?? Hmmm, oh well, saves me the trip!!

Catering, I'll check out Sarasota catering, i think i've heard of them but i have not heard of Simply gourmet. Thank you again!! You're all awesome!