Saturday, May 22, 2010

I live in Vancouver Canada, and I need help planning a wedding for 2500 or less, anyone know?

Anyone know cheap caterers, venues? flowers etc..

I live in Vancouver Canada, and I need help planning a wedding for 2500 or less, anyone know?
The Lazy Gourment


http://www.lazygourmet.ca/page119.htm
Reply:If you are looking for a wedding photographer, check out my site. I might still have your date available. http://www.adventuresindigital...





cheers!


John Report It


PDA

How can I build a garden with walls-back yard has steep drop?

I have the idea in my head- I need a flower bed/garden for the back part of my yard which has a steep drop off. I want to build something with wood or cheap materials so the back of the garden doesnt slip off the "cliff"(as i like to call it) This is going to be used not only to plant flowers, but to aid in stuff such as my daughters soccer balls falling off the cliff. What ideas do you have? Thanks in advance

How can I build a garden with walls-back yard has steep drop?
I had to build steps and retaining walls on my slopes. I used cinder blocks: cement blocks that are rectangular with holes in the center. I put the cinder blocks where I wanted, dug into the ground to flatten for placement and stacked how high I wanted, then I anchored the blocks by pounding 3 to 4 foot rebar in the center of the block into the ground, leaving none above the top of the block. I then filled the holes with gravel. This is inexpensive and works well.


You could actually hang landscape netting on poles to keep you daughter's soccerballs corralled.
Reply:You could get some rail-road ties and stack them onto a flat ledge you've created a few feet down the slope. Then, pound re-bar into the ground on the other side of the wood to keep the wood from slipping down the hill.


Now you can shovel some of your old dirt down into the gap you've created and add topsoil, garden soil and compost to fill it in.


If you've started the ties down the hill a bit, you have now extended your flower-bed out another two-three feet.





To stop the soccer balls, you could sink fence-posts inside and build a fence.


Or you could pound metal posts in and attach a wire fence.


Or you could keep stacking up rail-road ties until it's tall enough to stop a soccer ball.





They sell retaining-wall blocks, but you said you wanted it cheap. That's the cheapest I could think of, without you becoming a mason and collecting big rocks from all over the place!
Reply:Check your local freecycle.org and see if you can get used/recycled landscaping blocks. Terrrace it with steps between the levels. Put up a 3' wire fence across the top to keep the soccer ball from going over the edge. you could plant a vine on the fence.


Can I plant any flower seeds now to bloom in the early summer/late spring (Michigan)?

I like tulips, wild flowers, etc and see seed packages for cheap ($1.00 or so) at stores but wonder when and where to plant these seeds. It's about 45 for the highs lately (it's supposed to start getting into the high 50s) and about 30-35 at night (also changing soon). What could I plant and when? Should I wait a few weeks or is now (it's been raining alot) a good time?

Can I plant any flower seeds now to bloom in the early summer/late spring (Michigan)?
I live in Michigan and I planted my wildflower seeds already. They say not to until the "last frost" happens. I think for the most part that only applies to flowering plants.
Reply:Tulips and other bulbs are best planted in the fall. The best answer for seed-based flowers is to follow the instructions accompanying the seeds (usually on the back of the packet.) If you are seeing seeds for sale that don't offer planting instructions don't buy them.





At Mejier they carry planter's pride brand seeds and these offer adequate instructions on the back. Nearly all the seeds will indicate that you should wait until the danger of frost has passed. Little seedlings rarely have the ability to withstand a frost. I checked the farmers almanac for Michigan (as I live there too) and the projected last frost will be around May 15th. I have started many seeds indoors but with many "wildflower" varieties it is fine if not better to start them outside. It would be wise to wait till the later half of May if you plan to plant outside.
Reply:If you are planting outside you should wait until you are sure that it will not freeze at night. Then you can plant them according to the directions on the seed packet.





If you want to give them a head start you can start them inside then plant them as seedlings.





http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/how...


What should I do with my wedding bouquet?

I really don't want to throw it away but I don't want dried up flowers just lying around the house. Is there a cheap but decorative way of displaying them?


(I already have them hanging upside down to preserve them a little)

What should I do with my wedding bouquet?
well if youre going to make a scrapbook of your wedding you can always put it in there and preserve them.





some people always get them dried and framed with their wedding photo and invitations...





Preserving Your Wedding Bouquet


If you have decided to preserve your bouquet, you have two options for air-drying. One is to bring the flowers to a professional florist and use their expertise to get the project done. If you chose this route, you need to have the bouquet in the florist's hands as quickly as possible after the wedding. Your second choice is to air dry the flowers by yourself. Hang the bouquet upside down on a wire or taught string. Find a dark location with good airflow (well-ventilated), cool updrafts and that is not too humid. An attic, large closet, dark shed or garage are several good places. Hanging the bouquet upside down will keep the stems as straight as possible. To maintain the best color in the bouquet, get them away from sunlight as quickly as possible. The colors of flowers fade due to oxidation, a chemical reaction that needs both water and light. Removing the light source during drying curtails oxidation. The length of the process depends on the degree of humidity, temperature, circulation of air, and the kind(s) of flowers in the bouquet. The drying process is complete when the flowers feel stiff and dry, rather than limp or damp. Dried flowers need not be treated with anything. The old wives' tale about spraying your bouquet with hair spray is just that.





One word of warning . . . you may see little moths, called Indian Meal Moths flying around your dried flowers. They find roses and peonies particularly juicy treats. Should that problem arise, the best thing for you to do is to freeze the bouquet, in a plastic bag, in your freezer. About a week there or, in the winter, outside in a garage or shed, should kill the larvae and solve the problem.





To avoid after-drying fading, the flowers should be kept away from direct sunlight and be nowhere near forced air heaters, whose very dry air may cause the flower structure to shatter. Your flowers can be gently dusted with a feather duster, or with a hair dryer, set on low. If you are "keepsaking" your flowers by putting them away, wrap them gently in newspaper and put them in a cardboard box, away from dampness (some basements), and away from very dry air (some) attics.





Flower Preservation, pressed or freeze dried


This process, described below by Augusta Rose of Roses Freeze Dry is a great way to keep an important memento "fresh."


"Flowers are prepared and placed into a vacuum chamber. Then the temperature is lowered to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit and the moisture is slowly removed. Flowers will retain their natural shape and original color. They will appear as fresh as when they were cut, but you will find that flowers tend to become softer in color. Whites mellow to a lovely ivory color. You can have your entire bouquet preserved and placed in a custom designed case or arranged around your invitation, photo, or any special mementos you may have from that day. Special arrangements can be created that make wonderful gifts for the wedding party members, family, or anyone who helped make your day a special day to be remembered."
Reply:My bridal bouquet was made of orchids, and they don't preserve well. However, the girlfriend who caught my bouquet took out the springs of english ivy and planted them in small clay pots. A year later, on our first anniversary, she gave me a lovely houseplant, grown from my bouquet. I still have it, 30 years later!
Reply:Call the florist where the flowers came from %26amp; ask them if they do bridal boquet perservation. Most do or know some place that does.








My brother's wife had this done with her boquet. The flowers are beautifully displayed under a glass dome %26amp; mounted on a wooden base. She has them prominently displayed on their entertainment center.








If no one nearby does it in your price range, try googling Bridal Boquet Preservation. I'm sure one would be willing to work with you on the price.


Flowers in march???

my mom will be turning 40 this coming march, and some of her friends and i are planning her party.


we're planning to have a casual fondue party... simple enough, right?


the problem is... what flowers will be in season in march?


we live in eastern pa, so not much is going to be growing around here...


but we don't have a huge budget, so i need to know what's going to be cheaper to get and will still be pretty!


thanks in advance...

Flowers in march???
I agree that you should be able to find inexpensive bouquets of tulips and daffodills in March. The price of most flowers isn't really dictated by season, though. Almost all flowers are imported and season doesn't play a big role in availability and price.





The best thing would be to identify stores that do carry inexpensive, discount flowers, then just see what they have when the time comes. Being flexible will save you a lot of money. Don't forget to consider discount markets like Costco, Sam's, etc.
Reply:Why not get some of her friends to pot up hyacinths in small pots some time in January. These come in pinks, mauves and whites. You can then cover the pots with foil in the same colours and place them on the tables. They also smell really pretty. The bulbs should be available now in the garden centers and are relatively inexpensive. You could do the same with tulips or daffodils, I would suggest the smaller varieties as these look better in small pots.
Reply:there will be lots of forced things... forsythia, tulips, daffodils, cherry blossoms, pussy willow. You could also do something interesting with red dogwood stems, or black plumb stems, and baby's breath, (even artificial).
Reply:Forcing blooms is a great idea. Scout out some flowering trees/shrubs now to cut this next winter. Cut branches about 1-2 feet in length. Try forcing a few in January as an experiment to see how many weeks it takes for them to bloom. Then cut again to plan for the birthday. Your flowers will be on the branches-a modernistic or Japanese type display-looks good in a tall glass container. The link I've listed gives specific instructions for forcing. The extra effort you invest in this project is a thoughtful gift in itself.

riding boots

Who is selling flowers that you put in the ground on millsberry...???

i want some but i can't get them from the stores if ur selling them for a cheap price plezzz tell me ur username cuz i want some....if u want to send some to me or something my username is bosniancutie03

Who is selling flowers that you put in the ground on millsberry...???
I have the Green plant and Red Flowers and some others in my yard sale at megs1033. Come visit!!!


Way to save money on flowers?

Would it be totally cheap of me to have the bridesmaids holding fans? Otherwise, any helpful hints on saving money on the wedding flowers?

Way to save money on flowers?
I don't know how much you're hoping to spend, but you could buy flowers in bulk online through a wholesaler and do handtied bouquets. I know it's scary but I've had friends that got them online and they were beautiful! Even better quality that local florists IMO. Try sommerflowers.com You can get 100 stems for $88-daisy $158-asiatic lily $125 to 225-roses(lots of varieties)
Reply:No, but I think for descent looking fans you mind as well pay for bouquets... They don't have to be huge... For my cousins wedding, my mother and I did the bouquets.... We bought the flowers with a wholesaler, researched how to make the bouquets and bought beautiful ribbons to tie them with..... got some great ideas from Martha Stewart at the time...
Reply:I know there is a bog stigma, but if you can get over it go to your local grocery store's florist. They, in most cases, can do the exact same work as a forist shop without the big price tags.





Honestly, for my BF's bachelorette, I got her a little tussie mussie of white roses hand tied and wrapped all the way up the stems with a blue ribbon and pearl pins. It was $12.
Reply:Take one long stem rose color of your choice decorate with a nice ribbon...this is very in right now and a money saver!
Reply:my mom had fans with a small flower arrangement attached to them 25 years ago, I can't seem to get past that it was so long ago that it was done, so I wouldn't advise it, what about candles? you can do them in like a hurrican globe so you don't have to worry about wax dripping or anything and put some nice silk greenery and ribbons in your colors on them to dress them up, very inexpensive and it would be pretty, I saw it done last december and really liked it!
Reply:Shop around. I found a florist that did my flowers, bridesmaids bouquets, corsages and boutineers (alot of family from out of town) for $160.00. I picked flowers that were in season and fairly inexpensive. My bouquets were not very big, but lots of roses. My florist was in a grocery store, just rented out space, low overhead. If you know some one who can help put bouquets together, check our the wholesalers in the area.





In the church, I went VERY simple. Lots of Candles, not flowers.


Made the pew bows myself( white ribbon, tie into bow, then take inexpensinve silk flower taper candle ring, and tie into the middle- beautiful)





Same for the reception. Lots of candles. The main table centerpiece was silk. If you buy ahead of time, you may hit the clearance sales like I did. If you are doing very elaboate centerpieces with lots of flowers, cut that from the budget. No one remembers the centerpieces, and candles make it very romantic.





I do like the single rose idea too. Just tie with some beautiful ribbon, very simple and classic.





Fans would be ok, depending on the look of your wedding, but I like the rose idea the best if you are truly strapped.
Reply:a fan with a bow or ribbons are BEAUTIFUL !!!! or you could buy your own flowers (silk , fake) at any store and have a party for all your friends to help make the arrangments....... or you could go with dried stuff with just a few real or silk... there are lots of ways to have the -do it urself- wedding.... there are magazines galore out there....... God bless
Reply:I am going to use hurricane lamps with candles and after wards that will be their thank you gift for being in the wedding.
Reply:i bought my flowers on ebay (artificial)i am still 6 months from the wedding, and i am doing them myself, a little at a time. this way i can afford to get exactly what i want , and it really is much easier than you might think
Reply:use flowers from a friend's \garden and arrange them yourself, or, carry a single rose or lilly or strand of orchards
Reply:Consider having your bridesmaid hold a single rose with a bow. Cheap and easy. Just get a dozen roses and tie a bow around each one. You can take care of up to twelve that way. Just be sure to remove the thorns.
Reply:Check the obits, see if there will be any funerals right before your wedding.....


Works wonders for valentines day!!