It's Only Money

Flowers: $455

Marie-Michelle's, appetizers: $37.80 (without tax and gratuity)

Anabelle's, entrée: $565 (without tax and gratuity)

Bubble Room, dessert: $22 (without tax and gratuity)

Perfume: $3,000

Hotel: $750

Total:$5, 563.80

$avoring the $unset -- $3,500

Who says you have to live on Martha's Vineyard or Cape Cod to enjoy an authentic New England clambake? Southwest Florida's premiere caterers can whip up a picnic-style dinner that's casual yet deserving of white-glove treatment. Our clambake takes a few liberties, however, and is actually more of a clam boil. (Baking the traditional way-in the sand is not good for the environment, plus it makes the clams tough, according to Anne Matthews, co-owners of Matthews & Gardner Catering in Naples.)

Although any beach in Southwest Florida is divine, we choose to end the day on Captiva, one of the more secluded around, simply because it takes a while to get there. And while an intimate concert for eight by Jimmy Buffett would be the perfect accompaniment, we thought music by a string quartet from the Southwest Florida Symphony would offer a unique juxtaposition to the beach setting.

Invite seven of your closest friends to savor the sunset and feast on a Matthews-created menu of clams, shrimp and lobster boiled in a cauldron over a beach-friendly fire and served with tomato bread, and, of course, drawn butter, and several bottles of Cristal champagne. Next, remove the cauldron and finish baking eight individual quails with pan-roasted shallots, accompanied by steamed artichokes with aioli mayonnaise and a fruity Cote du Rhone. Dessert is a scrumptious homemade pound cake topped with fresh strawberries and clotted cream.

Catered dinner for eight: $1,000

Champagne for eight: $900

String quartet, four hours: $1,600

Sunset: Free

Total: $3,500