Any Florists here?

I have a query if there are any... or if anyone has any ideas

These are the flowers I want at my wedding. They are the Hawaiian Lei flower callled a Plumeria. They have a special meaning to bf and me as our first trip together was to hawaii, and his uncle and grandmother lived there at the time. He is also philipino, and these flowers are also found there.

We found one place that will ship the blooms only to Canada. There really isn't a a way to ship them otherwise. THe ones that are most common (native species) are the white and yellow ones. Here is a pic:

http://hortiplex.gardenweb.com/plants/jour/p/84/gw1031484/2514831056278395.jpeg

and another:

http://4imgs.com/301/images_html/Plumeria.jpg

When the flower is picked, it has a longish neck with a hole in the centre, similar to honey suckle. In hawaii women put them on bobby pins in their hair.

We were thinking of having a local potter make some custom "pansy rings" to float the flowers in, which is what traditionally is done, and put a candle in the centre.

Here is a pansy ring:

http://www.claycauldron.com/images/FP_pansyrings.jpg

Here is one with plumies in it, and shows all the other colours they come in:

http://www.plumeriajournal.com/plumeriaring51102.JPG

So...we get 100 blooms for $20 US, and it's $30 shipping to get here overnight. I was thinking of ordering 200 to 300, but I don't know if a florist would be able to actually do anything with the blooms, like used floral picks or something to make them into a bouquet...

Anyone have any ideas what else I could do with the flowers? Other than just having them on the table or in my hair?

Well, I have done a few weddings in my time. How about using some on the guest book signing table, in an arrangement of some sort. You can also perhaps use them on the cake table, speakers' podium, entryway or archway if you are using one. This way, the same floral theme is shared throughout your reception area. You could also place some in the ladies powder room and even the gents. I have always found this a nice touch, when the restrooms are gussied up!

Corsages for the mothers? Head table, and other arrangements throughout the reception area?

Just a few thoughts...

Since it's a Hawaiian flower, is there someway the blooms can be floated in water? I know I've seen it done before and it looks really nice, but then I've also seen it where people use ugly bowls and it doesn't look nice at all. Just brainstorming out loud...

You're lucky jesse, you have these flowers all over where you live! I'm SOOOO jealous!

There is a store called Exotic Plumeria down there..here is their website. I bought some seeds from the owner once, since we can only get seeds here and not plants (well, we can get plants, but they cost so much to get the import certificate).

http://www.exoticplumeria.com/

Tampa is about 1 1/2 - 2 hours from here. We have friends there that we are planning on getting together with as soon as we get our house together here. If plans permit, would you like me to stop there and look around and see if there is anything that would travel well through snail mail? I'll look around and see if there is anything in Orlando as well.

There's a Hilo Hattie's here.

What about having leis for the bride and groom shipped?

That would be pretty and easy to ship.

I thought about the leis, but it doesn't match with the other phlipino wedding theme really.

I was hoping that using pins or something that a florist would be able to make a small bouquet for me, but I don't know if it's possible. I will have them in my hair though. There isn't a wedding party (except Odin) so need for other bouquets.

I was kinda thinking them in each girls hair or one behind the ear, and I could have pins made for the men...so everyone got one. Then I have them floating in the pansy rings on the tables with the candle in the middle, and just have all the rest on the tables or whatever. maybe make leis out of them (I at least know how to do that myself so I don't have to pay for it).

The location has a large lawn/garden where people usually get married outdoors (by a river). We could have flowers in that area I guess.

Here is a pic of the ourdoor area where we want the ceremony:

http://www.terracottainncanada.com/gallery1/gardenbridgetall.jpg

That's gorgeous. Great spot for a wedding!

I'll let you know when we are going to Tampa and see if I can stop at the place you showed me. Maybe I could save you some money if I shipped it instead of the florist. We can try to figure it out. I'm here if you need help!!

here is a pic of the inside of the room we want. Not the best (off their website).

It's a room that holds max 25 people sitting, and it has doors that close off from the rest of the restaurant.

http://www.terracottainncanada.com/gallery2005/5.jpg

and another to the right of the previous picture.

http://www.terracottainncanada.com/gallery2005/6.jpg

Not a big room. We would have the ceremony outside, then move inside for food.

here is the website for more pics:

http://www.terracottainncanada.com/main.html

That is a beautiful place for a wedding and reception! Are those peonies growing by the river? What about just a lei for Odin? Not overly long so that it fits more snugly around his neck rather than loose like a lei. Floating the blossoms sounds pretty. You could also add some floating candles. Or, perhaps have a votive candle inside a glass cylinder with a ringlet of blossoms going around the outside base of the cylinder. That would give you some size to the arrangement, yet still appear delicate. In the middle of each table, it would be pretty.