Had a wonderful time at the Bridal Expo Sunday, January 31st.  Meeting the brides, grooms, moms, dads and wedding party is so exciting!  Many of you had questions about the color of our invitations and the limitations.  Keep in mind, we can do just about any color.  We can work with you to design what you are looking for.  We look forward to working with you in the near future.

Did you see us at the show?  If not, then you missed out on our new designs.  Stop on in to see what we can do for you. 

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Come visit our Booth January 31st at the Bridal Expo, Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel!  We look forward to meeting you!

Please note that we will be CLOSED Saturday, January 30th in order to set up for the Bridal Expo Sunday.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.  Normal business hours will resume on Monday, February 1st.

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Sunday January 10, 2010   Brides World

     We had a wonderful time greeting all the engaged couples.  We appreciate the feedback from Brides, Grooms, Bridal Party and Family members alike.  We thank you for visiting our booth and look forward to working with you!

Come Visit Our Booth

Brides World 

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Buffalo Convention Center

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Bridal Expo 2010

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel

*FREE TICKETS*  (limited supply available at Krepe-Kraft) 

www.BuffaloBridalAssociation.commichael@BuffaloBridalAssociation.com

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Did you miss us at the WNY Bridal Show?  Come see us at the Brides World Show, January 10, 2010!  We’ll be there.

Don’t want to wait?  Come visit us today! 

1755 Elmwood Avenue

Buffalo, NY 14207

716/826-5813

Open Mon. – Fri.   9:00 – 4:30 and Sat. 10:00 -3:00

Appointments not necessary.

Our first Bridal Show was the WNY Bridal Show.  Over 500 Brides were in attendance.  See what they did…

WNY Bridal Show 2009

WNY Bridal Show 2009

We will also be attending the Bridesworld Show, January 10, 2010 at the Buffalo Convention Center.

1/28/10

With every wedding there is a theme, color and style.  What is yours?

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12/15/09

When did you get engaged and why was this date significant?

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10/23/09

What is your Family Wedding Tradition?

I have heard of some families totally trashing the “Newly Weds” home while they are away on their honeymoon.  Cheerios in the bed,  toilet paper all over with no unused roll left, clothes tampered with, a total mess to come home to.  Can you imagine?  I don’t think I would leave for my honeymoon.

Other more common traditions may be as simple as the family gathering together the day after a wedding.  In our family it is to consume of the left overs.  YUM! 

I remember thinking, “What are they going to do to my car?”  Funny, I enjoyed our reception so much that I never noticed…. When we left the reception and went to get into our vehicle it was impossible.   Every one of the balloons used in our Reception hall were stuffed into our vehicle!  What fun it was taking them out.

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10/22/09

Kids at the Wedding Reception or no kids allowed?

10/20/09

Todays question:

If parents are helping with the cost of your wedding, do they have the right to omit the fiance’s parents names on the invitation?

 

30 Strike Matches

Save the Date Card 21

Save The Date….  many styles to choose from http://www.krepekraftonline.com/category/photo-cards

Wine Bags & Gift Tags

 

 

 

 

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 Wishing You and Yours a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!

 

The Gift of Wine: Dress it up for the occasion…

  

Wine Bags & Gift Tags

 

 

 

 

Beverage Gift Sets are a great gift when visiting friends & family for the Holidays.  Get 100 3 ply beverage napkins with up to 4 lines of copy or 3 lines of copy with a design printed. Choose one napkin color or two different napkin colors within a set with any imprint color.

   

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Personalize gift giving this Holiday Season!

White Gift Tags

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Gold Gift Tag

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Wine Bags & Gift Tags

 

Wishing You and Yours a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!

Bring a Gift of Wine this Holiday, dressed to impress.

 

 

Dress up the New Year with Personalized Napkins!

Platinum Mirage Beverage Napkin

 

 

 

Double Deck Playing Cards

  Great personalized gift for the card playing members in your family! 

Photo favor tags

Bring in a cute Holiday photo and create your own personalized gift tags!  Friends and Family will love the unique idea and your tag will be a great momento of your gift giving! 

Holiday Greeting Cards

16 oz. Endeavor Mug

Great for Holiday Gift Giving!  Fill with teachers favorites: chocolate, hard candy, candy canes or even gift with a side of  Specialty Tea’s, Hot Chocolate, Cappuccino mix or anything you can think of.  

 

       

Photo Thank You Cards

Say Thank you with a photo of yourselves.  Your appreciation will always be remembered. 

Party Bags

Personalized Treat Bags are always a big hit.  Time is short.  Get yours now.

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16 oz. Spokane Mug

Just add Hot Cocoa Mix, Flavored Tea or Cappuccino and you have a wonderful gift this Holiday.

(also available in a setfor the new Mr. and Mrs.)

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Gift the gift of music as your Wedding Favor.  List your favorites and personalize the CD Cover.   A great way for your new family to get to know you, share your favorite music.

CD Jewel Case Insert

CD Jewel Case Insert

CD Jewel Case Insert

Back of CD Jewel Case Insert

Great for a Bridal Shower or Stagette…

Red Beverage Napkin with Metallic Gold Imprint

Black Beverage Napkin with Metallic Silver Imprint

Remember when writing love notes was so romantic and how they made you feel?  Why not keep writing them?  Forget how?  Here’s a link to help

http://www.engagedmarriage.com/category/romance   find out how to write a love note to your new love or your love for many years, plus more…

EngagedMarriage.com

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Wedding Favor Ideas… with chocolate, coffee, tea and more. For all occasions.  Local to Buffalo, NY   A great Find…

http://bonards.com/

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Looking for an Ordained Minister/Wedding Officiant in the Western / NY Niagara Falls area?  With “Two Hearts” they work with you to create the ceremony you are looking for. Traditional or Untraditional ceremonies  can be created.  http://www.handfasted.com/

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Wow, love her work!  Rebecca is a wonderful person to work with and has a great eye for natural elements. Located in Buffalo Area and part of the Buffalo Bridal Associtation.  From every day photos to special occasion she makes memories vivid. http://www.rebeccajewellphotography.com/#

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In life we meet many people and we choose who we will become friends with.  Sometimes these friendships develop much later in life than expected.  To my newest friends, congratulations!  It is with great pleasure that I share with everyone one of my favorite links…

 Be sure to read one of the most romantic engagement stories of all time.  A personal experience of the nightlightstories author/creator.http://www.krepekraftonline.com/category/engagement-stories

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 What a unique idea.  Show your loved ones how much they mean to you.  Work with your fiance’ and create that special wedding song.  Check out http://www.getsongified.com/songimonials.html

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News on Ettiquette with Peggy Post:http://weddings.weddingchannel.com/Sites/WeddingChannel/wedding-planning-ideas/wedding-etiquette/articles/peggy-post-reveals-biggest-wedding-myths-ever.aspx

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Beautiful Custom Made Jewelry, right here in Buffalo.  Great idea for Bridesmaids or gift giving. http://tammymayjewelry.com/default.aspx

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Beautiful Veils, wide assortment to choose from.  Anything from simple elegance to enhanced elegance.  You will definitely find what your looking for here http://www.occanseydesigns.com/

Traditional Wedding Invitations.  Simple Elegance to add to your already stunning wedding.

maxi boxes size: 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ x 1 1/8″

Large Bow Box 3 1/2″ x 2″ x 1 11/16″ Small Bow Box 2 5/8″ x 1 1/2″ x 1 3/16″

Medium Truffle Box 15/8″ x 1 5/8″ 1 5/8″ and Large Truffle Box 2″ x 2″ x 2″

Mini box 2 9/16″ x 1 5/16″ x 1 1/4

White Tote Bag Box 3 1/2″ x 1 1/4″ x 2 5/8″

Star Dream Favor Boxes

Large Onyx Star Dream Bow Box 3 1/2″ x 2″ x 1 11/16″

Small Kiwi Star Dream Bow Box 2 5/8″ x 1 1/2″ x 1 3/16″

Beargrass Star Dream Hexagon Box 1 15/16″ x 1 15/16″ x 1 15/16″

Maxi Box Favor Wrap 2 3/4″ x 2 9/16″ x 1 1/4″ (maxi box sold separately)

Bronze Star Dream Nouveau Heart Tote Box 2 1/4″ x 1 1/4″ x 2 5/8″

Rose Quartz Star Dream Plain Handle Mini Tote 2 1/4: x 1 1/4″ x 2 5/8″

Rose Quartz Star Dream Medium Truffle Box size 1 5/8″ x 1 5/8″ x 1 5/8″ also available in large 2″ x 2″ x 2″ (ribbon sold separately) Bronze Star Dream Favor Box Card Dimensions 4 1/4″ x 2″ * Chairback Height 5 1/2″ * (for box size see medium /large truffle box) * (pieces sold separately)

 

Tips for ordering Wedding Invitations

Let’s talk Wedding Invitations..

Deciding on an invitation. Things to consider:

Postage:  One stamp for the invitation and one for your response envelope.

- Square invitations are automatically extra postage

- Invitations should always be taken to your post office and weighed with all parts before stamping. 

Invitations tend to prelude what will be expected at your wedding.  Therefore, most couples choose an invitation that ties in with their wedding.  Usually, this is by invitation color or theme.  We have a rainbow of color shades choose from for most products.  Modern Invitations Modern Invitations II 

• Have an idea of what you are looking for. There are many different Options to choose from.
  • Single Card
  • Double Layer
  • Triple Layer
  • Pocket or Jacket fold
  • Ribbon on Invitations
  • Photo Invitations
  • Designs embossed / plain card
  • Color of Wedding to enhance card (Bring swatch of color if trying to match)

•  What is your Budget for Invitations?

•  Double envelope or single envelope?   Most Invitations include inner and outer envelopes.  The inner envelope is lined and addressed with the guests names.  The outer envelope is usually addressed to the Family.

• Traditionally there is an inner and outer envelope.  The inner envelope is addressed more directly to the guests invited. This is something that is becoming more of a tradition and less used in the modern times.

• Quantity
  • Have a good idea if not a definite idea of what quantity of invitations you will need. 
    • Remember – one invitation per household
    • Always order 25 more than your actual count to allow for those forgotten and errors in addressing invites

• Reception Card
  • Will you order separately or add information as a footnote on bottom of invite?

• Have your Location/Time/Date
  • Where is Ceremony
    • Time
  • Where is Reception
    • Time

• Know when the Caterer needs count by
  • Usually response date should be 2 -3 weeks before wedding

• Know who will be included on the invitation. Check with family before writing wording up for Invitations, some parents are very specific or may get offended if left off.  Especially, if they are assisting with wedding costs.
  • Brides parents only
  • Grooms parents only
  • Brides and Grooms parents
  • Just Bride and Groom

• Who to bring with you to decide
  • This is your wedding and your opinion means the most.  However, for support bring one or two of the following friends or relatives.  A whole bridal party is not necessary and only creates more opinions than needed.  This can potentially add strain to what is supposed to be exciting for you.     
    • Bride / Groom
    • Parent of Bride or Groom (They may insist if paying for wedding or invitations.)  If you would rather they do not accompany you, suggest that you browse and bring back samples for them to help you choose from.
  • Maid or Matron of honor

Tips for ordering Wedding Invitations

• Have an idea of what you are looking for. There are many different Options to choose from.
  • Single Card
  • Double Layer
  • Triple Layer
  • Pocket or Jacket fold
  • Ribbon on Invitations
  • Photo Invitations
  • Designs embossed / plain card
  • Color of Wedding to enhance card (Bring swatch of color if trying to match)

• What is your Budget for Invitations?

• Double envelope or single envelope?
  • Traditionally there is an inner and outer envelope.  The inner envelope is addressed more directly to the guests invited. This is something that is becoming more of a tradition and less used in the modern times.

• Quantity
  • Have a good idea if not a definite idea of what quantity of invitations you will need. 
    • Remember – one invitation per household
    • Always order 25 more than your actual count to allow for those forgotten and errors in addressing invites

• Reception Card
  • Will you order separately or add information as a footnote on bottom of invite?

• Have your Location/Time/Date
  • Where is Ceremony
    • Time
  • Where is Reception
    • Time

• Know when the Caterer needs count by
  • Usually response date should be 2 -3 weeks before wedding

• Know who will be included on the invitation. Check with family before writing wording up for Invitations, some parents are very specific or may get offended if left off.  Especially, if they are assisting with wedding costs.
  • Brides parents only
  • Grooms parents only
  • Brides and Grooms parents
  • Just Bride and Groom

• Who to bring with you to decide
  • This is your wedding and your opinion means the most.  However, for support bring one or two of the following friends or relatives.  A whole bridal party is not necessary and only creates more opinions than needed.  This can potentially add strain to what is supposed to be exciting for you.     
    • Bride / Groom
    • Parent of Bride or Groom (They may insist if paying for wedding or invitations.)  If you would rather they do not accompany you, suggest that you browse and bring back samples for them to help you choose from.
  • Maid or Matron of honor

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Save the Date
Save the Date cards are sent to your guests in advance of your wedding invitations. This assists in allowing your guests to leave that date free. Out of town guests greatly appreciate the heads up so they can check ahead for travel arrangements.

Wedding Invitation
Proper Etiquette suggests Wedding Invitations be sent to guests 6 to 8 weeks prior to the wedding. The response date should be 2 – 3 weeks prior to the wedding date. The caterer usually needs a head count and you want to give yourself time to receive all the responses for an accurate number.

Reply Card
A Reply Card encourages your guests to respond to the invitation of your wedding.  This card is sent with the Invitation.  A response envelope pre-addressed and pre-stamped  should accompany the Reply card.

Reception Card 

A Reception Card traditionally accompanies the Wedding Invitation.  This card illustrates where and when the Wedding Reception will be.  It is not unlikely to have this card omitted and add the information added to the bottom of your Invitation as a foot note.  This usually occurs when the Reception immediately follows the ceremony.

Thank You Card
Thank  you cards printed with your monogram or married name on the outside, leaving the inside blank for your own personal message illustrates you appreciate the thought and effort which went into your gift.  Although, pre-printed cards are always an option, they lack the personal touch that says how much you care.  In addition, by personalizing with only a monogram you can order a few extra and have them for future use.

Program
An outline of Ceremonial events printed on an elegant paper stock.  This assists guests in knowing what is going to happen next. 

Place Card
Using a fold over card or single card inserted into a place card holder, these petite cards indicate the seating arrangement for each individual guest.  They can be placed on the tables or on a single table in the entryway of the reception.  Each card with each guests name and table number.  Each table should be marked with a table number.  (Table plan)

Menu
Outline the meals and events of the Reception, including speeches given by Bridal Party.

Wedding Announcements
Wedding Announcements sent after a wedding has taken place. Announcements are usually issued by the new Bride & Groom.     

Some things to consider:

__ Correct quantity plus 25 extra in case you forgot someone (very costly to reorder 25 later)

__ Ink color or Foil Color

__ Lettering Style

__ Colored lining for envelopes

__ Does invitations copy contain the time, place, and date of the ceremony?

__ Return address on invitation envelopes

__ Check all spelling

__ Reception Cards

__ Response Cards

__ Address on response envelopes

Have it ALL?

__ Thank you notes or Informals

__ Wedding Announcements

__ Programs

__ Stag/Stagette Tickets

__ Bookmark Keepsakes

__ Napkins (2-3 per person)

__ Matches / Match Note Pads

__ Placecards

__ Cake Boxes and Bags

__ Candy and Truffle Boxes

__ Candy Bar Wrappers

__ Magnets

__ Hotel “GUEST” Bags

__ Gift Bags

__ Swizzle Sticks

__ Coasters

__ Favor Ribbon

__ Favor Tags

__ Favor Books

Elegant Drinkware:

__ Wine Glasses   __ Beer Steins   __ Votive Candle Holders  __ Toasting Glasses 

 That’s how long my husband and I have been together.  I believe the secret is to keep it romantic and fun.  Everyone has good days and bad days in their relationships.  The key is figuring out how to have more of the good days.  The old saying, “If Mama ain’t happy ain’t nobody happy”, says a lot.  However, I believe that goes for “daddy’s” as well. 

Simple Weddings by Simple Treasures Photography. Offering beach and outdoor wedding packages in St Petersburg and St. Pete Beach, Florida. Don’t miss his beach wedding blog!

by Jeff Copeland

1. Allow time to get your marriage license – A Florida marriage license can be obtained at any courthouse in the state of Florida for a fee of $93.50, and is good anywhere in the State. But both bride and groom must be present during normal business hours on a weekday to get one. If neither the bride nor groom is a Florida resident, the license is valid the day it is issued (there is a three day wait for Florida residents) and is good for 60 days. For more information and a list of locations where a Florida Marriage Lincense can be obtained, check out the Florida Beach Wedding Guide.

2. Keep an eye on the weather – Contrary to popular belief, it can get quite chilly in Florida during the winter months (40s and 50s during the day are not unheard of – brrrr!). And hurricanes are always a possible threat to your wedding plans during the summer. The most active part of the Atlantic hurricane season is Mid-September through the end of October. Best time of year for a Florida wedding weather-wise? March through May, or November through December!

3. Choose the right time of day. Early morning or about one hour before sunset will give you the best lighting for a beach wedding. You have more flexibility if you’re in a shaded area or indoors.

4. On that note, want sunset photos? Better plan in a Gulf Coast wedding from Tampa Bay to Naples – the sun sets in the West, after all!

5. Choose the right officiant – Florida only allows ordained clergy and Florida notaries to solemnize marriage. Sorry, but Cousin Joe may not be able to perform your ceremony!

6. Choose the right photographer – If you’re having a beach wedding, don’t hire a studio photographer who isn’t used to shooting in the elements (the sand and seagulls freak them out!), and vice versa.

7. Choose the right area for your interests – Florida has it all, from horseback riding and hunting to upscale glitz and glamour. The major metropolitan areas (clockwise from top left) are: Pensacola, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Daytona, Orlando, Miami, Key West, Naples, Fort Myers, and Tampa Bay. In between, you’re sure to find something for everyone!

8. Florida is a big state – It takes about 14 hours to drive from one end (Pensacola) to the other (Key West). Plan accordingly if you’re road-tripping!

9. Most Florida beachfront hotels are super-savvy when it comes to weddings of all shapes and sizes – be sure to at least check with your hotel if you are looking for a service provider or venue.

10. The beaches are different on each coast. Those sugar-white sand photos you’ve seen? Gulf Coast from Pensacola to Naples. The East Coast from Jacksonville south has the light brown sand mixed with shells more typical of other Atlantic beaches. Miami and The Keys fall somewhere in between.

Jeff Copeland is Co-Owner and Marketing Director of