Forever Friends-Blog

WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2012 for Invitations!

2012-01-23T13:26:00.000-05:00

Our Wedding Wire
{Plainview,NY} – January 23, 2012 – WeddingWire, the nation's leading wedding Marketplace, is excited to announce Forever Friends has been selected to receive the prestigious WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2012 for Invitations! The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top local wedding vendors from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism within the wedding industry. While many industry awards are selected by the organization, Forever Friends was selected based on its stellar reviews from past newlywed clients. Forever Friends is recognized as part of the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire local vendor community, comprised of over 200,000 wedding professionals throughout the United States and Canada. The Bride’s Choice Award recognizes the best local wedding vendors across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on their overall professional achievements throughout the past year. “WeddingWire is thrilled to honor the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “Since the launch of the Bride’s Choice Awards™ program four years ago, thousands of outstanding wedding professionals have been recognized by the bridal community for their supreme service and dedication to the wedding industry. It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Forever Friends for their continued professionalism and commitment to enriching the wedding planning experience for engaged couples.” We are happy to announce that Forever Friends is one of the very best Invitations professionals within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Project Wedding, Brides.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. Thanks to their positive feedback we were able to receive the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ for 2012. For more information, please visit Our WeddingWire Storefront today at To learn more about the Bride's Choice Awards™, please visit www.WeddingWire.com. About WeddingWire, Inc. WeddingWire™, the nation's leading marketplace serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 reviewed wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers. WeddingWire also offers a comprehensive suite of online planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire is the only all-in-one marketing platform for businesses online and on-the-go. WeddingWire offers one simple solution to build a professional network, improve search visibility, manage social media and reach mobile consumers. Businesses that advertise with WeddingWire appear on WeddingWire.com, ProjectWedding.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), Brides.com and Weddingbee.com.

Customize Your Invitations

2011-10-16T11:47:00.003-04:00

For the special moments in your life ...

When Special Moments Need Special Attention!!!

Email and text messages have become a usual means of communication, but when it comes to the landmarks of our lives, the simple art of the written word on paper is customary, appropriate and above all everlasting. When we receive an invitation to a special event, a thank you note or a simple letter on beautiful stationery through the mail, we feel special and it is often kept and valued for years to come. Forever Friends is a great source for fine quality personalized printed products; as owner Beth Fruchtman pays attention to every last detail to ensure your end product is perfect for your occasion and stays within your budget. "I think what sets my service apart is the one-on-one service," says Beth. "I meet with the customer directly in my home and we work together to match the client's personality or the theme of the occasion." Forever Friends also allows customers to shop via their website and has gained a respected reputation from her customers. It's no wonder Beth has won several awards and high ratings from many wedding organizations including the Carlson Craft EXCELLENCE AWARD for 2010 and the 2011 and 2010 WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards.

Beautiful Save the Dates

2011-07-17T15:36:00.009-04:00

Now that you have set the most important date of your life, let all your guests know about that date by sending out Save the Dates!! Here are a few of our favorites. Visit our Online Store for the rest of our UNIQUE Save the Dates.

Bold and Exotic Wedding Invitations By Emily Post

2011-06-20T14:31:00.001-04:00

Exclusively from M. Middleton, we welcome the Emily Post Wedding Style Collection to our store around the 15th of July. This album features wedding invitations that have exotic typefaces, cut outs, folds, and bows. Also, the creative wording and artwork makes Emily Post passionate about graciousness, generosity of spirit, and also being true to ones sense of style. She was called "a rule maker, and a rule breaker." Did you know that Emily Post first shared her philosophy in 1922. We are so happy that we will be able to share this with our Brides and Grooms because we have the same passion that Emily Post had. For more details, call us at 516-721-2635 or email us.

8 Great Tips On Making Your Bridal Shower Fun!!!

2011-06-05T13:06:00.000-04:00

Tip 1) Bridal Tea Party - Elegant brides and guests will love a Bridal Tea Party. Invite guests to wear fancy hats and gloves, or search flea markets and antique shops for hats guests can wear during the tea. Research how to properly brew tea and the customs of taking tea and share what you have learned with the guests. Serve properly brewed tea, along with fancy tea sandwiches and desserts. Gifts can be from any general category. Use lace tablecloths and napkins, crystal vases and silver serving dishes. Use your finest china for serving and rent silver tea services for the tea. Decorate with lacy parasols and bouquets of fresh flowers. Guests can go home with assorted packets of tea or pretty tea cups or teaspoons.

Tip 2) Create A Slideshow - Organize a slide show of the bride. Have everyone give you pictures of her with friends and family dating back to when she was a baby. This will create a touching, beautiful and intimate tribute to the bride.

Tip 3) Strawberries 'n Cream Punch - Add 1 gallon vanilla ice cream to a punch bowl. Next, add 1 2-liter bottle of strawberry-flavored seltzer or sparkling water and 1 package of frozen strawberries, thawed. (Hint: Modify the amount of soda you add depending on how thick you would like your punch.)

Tip 4) Who Knows The Bride And Groom Game - Come up with as many questions about the bride and groom and/or their upcoming wedding you can think of and write about 10-15 questions on a sheet of paper. Photocopy enough for all guests and have them answer the questions in 3-5 minutes. Sit the couple in the middle of the room and read the questions. Have them answer the questions and award a small prize to the guest who gets the most right.

Tip 5) "Penny For Your Thoughts" Game Introduction Game - Have two pennies from the same year, with a different year for each guest. Example: 15 guests, 30 pennies, 15 different years. When the guests arrive they are given a penny and the other penny is put in a jar. When all the guests have arrived, the bride-to-be selects a penny and the person with the penny with that corresponding year tells a little about herself, how she knows the bride, and maybe a little story about the bride. After everyone has spoken the bride-to-be puts her pennies back into the jar and selects one to win a prize.

Tip 6) Gift Certificate Shower - Have guests purchase gift certificates from local shops in the bride and grooms hometown so that they can utilize them throughout their first year of marriage!

Tip 7) Don't Say "Bride" or "Wedding" Game - Each guest receives a clothes pin as they arrive and it is explained to the guests only once: If you catch someone saying the words "bride" or "wedding" you can take their clothes pin. At the end of the shower, the guest with the most clothes pins wins a small favor or gift.

Tip 8) Honeymoon Shower! - Have guests bring gifts for the couples honeymoon. This shower will be a party everyone will love!

Ways To Make Your Wedding Invitation Unique

2011-05-17T14:41:00.002-04:00

Professionally printed wedding invitations by Carlson Craft come with the help of Forever Friends professional experience guiding you every step of the way, at no cost to you! We are living in a new, environmentally, budget-conscious age. With this in mind, Forever Friends is proud to offer a vast collection of not only eco-friendly and budget-minded wedding invitations , but wedding invitations that reflect quality and style. We understand that you are a bridal couple like no other. We offer a vast selection of lettering styles, designs, ink colors, stock choices, additional printing services and so much more to make your wedding invitation reflect the two of you.

Tips for making your wedding invitation exclusive to you:

Use combination lettering styles and Choose a unique layout

Create your own motif

Add your monogram

Wedding Invitations Questions and Answers

2011-05-10T13:05:00.003-04:00

We find that while many of our clients know that they need invitations, many have confusion about exactly what to do with them. Here we answer some of our most frequently asked questions:

Q: When do you need to have double envelopes with an invitation?

A: Formal invitations traditionally have double envelopes. The outer envelope has the name of the guest (along with their address) on the front of the envelope. It may also have your name and address (your name and address can also be printed on the back of the outer envelope, on the envelope flap). The outer envelope should be sealed. The inner envelope should not be sealed or glued. The only words that should be written on the inner envelope are the names of the addressee.

Q: I am ordering wedding invitations, and need to select a color of white. They all look the same on my computer screen. What is the difference between bright white and soft white?

A: Bright (or brilliant) white is the most crisp, pure, and brilliantly white colored paper that a paper making company will make. Soft white is equally suited to wedding invitations, but is a softer and more delicate hue, toned down a bit from the brilliant white of a bright white. Most wedding gowns are more of a soft white than they are bright white.

Bright White

Soft White

Q: Do my wedding gift thank you cards need to match my invitations?

A: Wedding thank you cards can be in any style that you and your spouse-to-be choose. They do not have to match, although that can be a nice touch. Thank you cards that match the style and make of the wedding invitation do certainly lend an elegance and grace.

FOR THOSE SPECIAL OCCASIONS IN YOUR LIFE!!!

2011-03-30T11:12:00.007-04:00

Wedding Timeline

2010-10-24T17:09:00.004-04:00

Helpful Wedding Timeline

Nine to Twelve Months Before:

● Pick out engagement ring with fiancé.
● Determine who will officiate at the ceremony.
● Select a wedding date and time.
● Announce your engagement in the newspaper.
● Determine how many guests may attend.
● Determine the type of wedding you want (size, formality, style, color scheme).
● Select and order the bridesmaids’ dresses.
● Establish a preliminary budget.
● Select and secure a photographer.
● Select a caterer if not already provided by the reception.
● Select and secure your reception location.
● Select and secure you ceremony location.
● Begin choosing your wedding cake baker, videographer, musicians and florist. Sign necessary contracts. You can use UltimateAffair PartyPlanner for your event and for your floweres UltimateAffair PartyPlanner and for a photographer, you can use
Ben Michalski

Six to Nine Months Before:

● Start compiling the guest list (inform your families to do the same).
● Select the attendants for your wedding party.
● Shop for wedding dress, headpiece, veil, etc.
● Start planning for honeymoon.
● Register with a gift bridal registry in your favorite store(s).

Four to Six Months Before:

● Make appointment for a physical exam with your doctor/dentist.
● Check requirements for blood test and marriage license in your state.
● Shop for wedding rings.
● Select and order invitations from Forever Friends
● Decide where to live after the wedding.
● Complete the guest lists.
● Begin shopping for trousseau.
● Send your engagement announcement to the newspaper.
● Inform mothers to select their dresses.
● Select and order the men’s attire.
● Finalize honeymoon details and make the necessary reservations.

Two to Four Months Before:

● Confirm the menu and catering details with the caterer.
● Prepare all maps and directions for the ceremony and reception.
● Select your wedding rings.
● Buy a wedding guest book, Forever Friends provides this as a gift when you oder your invitation
● Set the dates and times with the officiate for the rehearsal.
● Plan the bridesmaids’ luncheon and any other parties.
● Determine your resources for designing and printing the program for the ceremony. Forever Friends can help you.
● Finalize the florist details, photographer, videographer, musicians, etc.
● Arrange the necessary accommodations for out-of-town guests.
● Plan a rehearsal dinner, time and place.
● Confirm the wedding cake details with the baker.

Six to Eight Weeks Before:

● Mail invitations and announcements.
● Prepare a portrait for the newspaper. Check your local newspaper for details and timing.
● Set appointment with photographer for your formal bridal portrait.
● Select gifts for all your attendants.
● Set appointments with any hair dressers and/or make-up artists.
● Hire the limousine or other forms of transportation for the wedding.

Four to Six Weeks Before:

● Decide what your menu is going to be for the reception. Estimate the expected number of
guests.
● Buy a gift for the groom.
● Schedule a final fitting for your gown so it can be ready for your formal bridal portrait.
● Purchase a going away outfit.
● Pick up your wedding rings.
● Purchase (borrow) all wedding accessories such as the ring pillow, goblets, garters,
candles, etc. Garters, ring pillows, dress or tuxedo tags can be found on the following websites, Hand-CraftedCreations or HCC Custom Wedding Garters You may also buy wedding favors from Favors by Dorinda
● Confirm florist details and delivery times.
● Plan the seating for the reception as well as other details for the ceremony and reception.
● Start writing placement cards. Forever Friends can help you with this, but do it as soon as you have your final headcount.
● Make sure all bridesmaids’ attire has been fitted.
● Buy a gift for the bride.

Two Weeks Before:

● Make arrangements to have your wedding gifts moved to your new home.
● Handle business and legal details such as name changes, address changes, etc.
● Prepare the wedding announcement for the newspaper.
● Reconfirm your guests’ accommodations.
● Make sure all clothing and accessories for you and the bridal party are ready.
● Get your marriage license and any blood tests which are needed. MissNowMrs.com can help you.

One Week Before:

● Review any seating details with the ushers.
● Make sure all wedding attire fits.
● Finalize the seating arrangements.
● Reconfirm your honeymoon reservations. Ensure you have any necessary plane tickets.
● Start packing for your honeymoon.
● Call any guests who have not responded yet.
● Finish all the place cards for the reception.
● Review all the final details with your photographer, videographer, etc.
● Give a final head count to the caterer.
● Confirm the availability of the musicians and vocalists.
● Delegate responsibilities to reliable individuals on your wedding day.
● Wrap and present the wedding party gifts.
● Finalize your rehearsal dinner arrangements and other plans.

One Day Before:

● Get a manicure or massage to relax yourself.
● Stay with your family the night before and go to sleep early.
● Review and rehearse all the details of your participants.

The Big Day:

● Make sure the best man and maid of honor sign the wedding certificate.
● Allow yourself plenty of time to get dressed.
● Enjoy your wonderful wedding and cherish each and every moment.
● Be sure to eat properly.
● Rest and relax with a good bath.
● Prepare for your hairdresser and make-up appointments.

After the Wedding:

● Send thank you notes as soon as possible after the wedding.
● Have bridal gown cleaned and preserved.
● Change your name on ID and important documents.
● Complete change of address cards.

Bronze Budget Bride

2010-05-23T20:44:00.005-04:00

Bronze Budget Bride is something Carlise created one day for brides-to-be, she thought of this while giving some links and tips in bridal forums. Instead of having to repeat things over and over again, she decided to put these links all in one place, hence Bronze Budget Bride was born. Carlise was never really thinking of making it into a business when she created it. The idea of helping and chatting with women planning their wedding was just so exciting to her.

"I have been obsessed with all things bridal for far longer than I realized and even started planning for our vow renewal ceremony and reception even before we could afford a tiny one. While I was pregnant with my first son Richard, who is now three, instead of watching Baby Story I was tuning in to watch all the bridal shows I could find on T.V. When my son was born, I was up late every night as you can imagine but I didn't mind it all because on Sunday and Monday nights that's when Platinum Weddings, Rich Bride Poor Bride and other bridal shows was on Wetv. When my son would wake around 6 in the morning, although sleep deprived, I was glad for the opportunity to catch GetMarried on the Style network. On Tuesday nights it was Whose Wedding Is It Anyway and how I loved when there were marathons on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Yes, all things bridal fascinated me and yes they still do. My best friend Ayana even referred to me a bridal junkie and maybe I am but it's love that makes the wedding world possible to begin with so how can I not be obsessed, I am a romantic after all.

Would I want to be a professional wedding planner, I don't know, I don't think so but I do love having Bronze Budget Bride be a part of my life because I get to help people and I love that. Brides sign up with so many fears about how they are going to get all they want with their small budget and sometimes, surprisingly, they just want reassurance that they can get what they want and have that wedding they've been dreaming of all their lives.

As for the name, that is what I call myself, a Bronze Budget Bride because I want a platinum wedding without the price tag. Every time I watched Platinum Wedding on WeTv I paid very close attention to where the couples were spending the most money. I came to realize that I may not be able to afford a $50,000 venue but I can still get my wedding to look as good as a platinum wedding by making sure that it's elegant, personalized in some way and that no part of it is obviously DIY. That is why I try to help brides find cheap, elegant wedding essentials but I don't encourage them to do it all themselves because that's where elegant can turn to inelegant quickly.

It's just 10 months until March 15th, 2011 and I am excited about that every single day. I am so enjoying every bit of the planning, even budget crunching because each time it comes down to, "oh we can't afford that" our creative juices start flowing and we've come up with some really unique ideas that way. For example, we wanted new wedding bands since the ones we have are what we could afford at the time, but we love them all the same. So we decided to try and see if we could get them melted together and add some other personal pieces of jewelry to make new ones. We thought this might cost too much but we're actually getting them done for under $700 in our area, how cool is that.

I am really happy about all we've put together so far and I'm glad I get to share this journey with so many wonderful people in the wedding world. I don't know what the future holds for this Bronze Budget Bride but I do know that as long as I have my fingers I will keep posting tips and links on the blog/magazine because everyone deserves to have the wedding of their dreams and I'm glad I get to say to all mini budget brides that,"Yes, you can too."

Bronze Budget Bride Website
Bronze Budget Bride Fan Page
Bronze Budget Bride Twitter Page

Ten23 Designs

2010-04-20T02:11:00.043-04:00

Ten23 Designs Personalized dance floor monogram decals are perfect for rented venues. The (monogram) decal will pull right up after the event for easy clean up due to the low-adhesive used on the material. These large monograms are also great for use on walls, windows, door, mirrors and; more. TEN23 Design Studio specializes in custom and personalized designs and; turning your ideas into works of art you can forever cherish.

Visit Our Website

Our Blog

Lauren Sarnoff Atwaters, is the owner of Ten23 Designs, located in Jacksonville, Florida. Ten23 Designs specializes in creating customized, removable decals for special events and home decor. Removable decals are a great tool for decorating as they are easily removed and do not leave behind any sticky residue. Decals created by Ten23 Designs stand out among the competition because of the high quality material used and the unique design created for each client.

Lauren focuses on two main goals each time she welcomes a client to Ten23 Designs. One, give them what they want. Making custom and personalized designs can be a challenge at times, but Lauren's goal to "give them what they want" only challenges herself and her craft. She wants to bring a smile to her client's face and by giving them what they want, she gets it every time. The second goal is to keep it affordable. Whether her client is decorating their home or adding personalized touches to an event, Lauren puts forth the effort to find the most cost effective way to decorate without cutting any corners.

~Lauren~

Visit Or Web Page

Visit Our Blog

Custom decals for all of your decorating desires

Personalize a wall with a monogram

Jazz up a blank wall with a fun design

Dress up a dance floor with your signature

Mark your territory with your name

If you can think it... I can make it!

Favors by Dorinda

2010-01-03T16:21:00.021-05:00

At Favors by Dorinda we're happy to help you choose just the right candy bar wrapper favor or special gift.

"We want to make your event a little bit sweeter!"

Candy bar wrappers make inexpensive yet elegant party favors. Your guests will love a gift that contains information about your special day. Everytime they look at the candy bar wrapper favors, they will remember what a wonderful time they had!

We have many designs to choose from for baby, wedding and birthday to graduation, religious events and more. We also offer mint books candy cakes, candy cupcakes, baby gift sets and baskets, time capsules for baby, wedding and birthday, specialty buckets, hand crafted gifts and holiday goodies. Have a question? Call us at (973) 633-0874 or email us and we'll be happy to help you fill your gift and favor needs.

BravoBride and Forever Friends

2009-11-12T20:01:00.017-05:00

Susan Alexander Shapiro and her husband Mark were inspired to start BravoBride when they were shopping for their wedding. Susan was tired of overpaying for brand new wedding items she'd use only once and then stuff into the closet. She wished there was a way to buy and sell new and gently-used wedding items, a place where she could find what she needed without spending a fortune and get some money back on her wedding, and so BravoBride was born.

We're proud that on BravoBride , you can find virtually anything you need for your wedding, new or pre-owned—from dresses, jewelry and accessories to ceremony and reception items and more—at terrific prices. But we think what makes BravoBride really special is how it allows you to give back. When you shop at BravoBride , you're passing along items you no longer need to someone who will one day do the same. That's an Earth-friendly way of doing business you can feel good about. You're also making a stand for women's health when you buy and sell on BravoBride. We donate a portion of our upgraded listing fee proceeds to the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women Campaign to reduce heart disease among women. So welcome to BravoBride , the smart choice for an unforgettable wedding. We think you're going to enjoy shopping with us. Visit our Get Started section to find what you need or begin listing your items today.

Don't Forget The Stamps

2009-10-30T21:03:00.058-04:00

Now you can have the "Perfect Postage" for your wedding invitations, showers and more! Personalized postage wedding invitation stamps with your perfect touch! Add your own wedding photo for custom wedding stamps ... or choose from over 3,000 wedding postage stamp designs.

MissNowMrs.com and Forever Friends

2009-10-12T16:55:00.045-04:00

Making New Beginnings Easier!

As the fine details and forms can be seemingly undefined, we, at MissNowMrs.com have made all efforts to simplify this process and make it more enjoyable for you! Whether you are in the planning stages of your wedding, or are now celebrating being a newlywed, you may complete transitioning from Miss…Now…Mrs in 3 easy steps: Questions, Forms, File. You will have up to 6 months to access your online account, so that you may complete your forms at your leisure. MissNowMrs.com was created to save you the hours of time typically spent on research and form completion. We are here to assist you in changing to your married name, answer questions, provide you with your options, and most of all allow you to focus on the fun of being a newlywed! Have questions? Call us at: 800.301.9296. Congratulations on your marriage! MissNowMrs.com

Did you know that you don’t need to wait until after your wedding to begin the name-change process?

BridalTweet

2009-09-16T03:24:00.048-04:00

About BridalTweet.com:

Headquartered in New York, BridalTweet is a free online wedding community where brides, wedding vendors, and wedding bloggers can create meaningful relationships. At BridalTweet, brides can find free wedding advice, exclusive offers, giveaways, local events, and more. This is one of the first wedding communities that enables wedding vendors to have a voice - allowing for deeper marketing conversations. BridalTweet currently has 14,000 members since its recent inception in April of 2009 and membership increases daily.

About Christine Dyer:

Christine Dyer is a leading online marketing and social media executive with more than ten years of experience working at various advertising agencies, a Fortune 500 Company, and a major online publisher. A recent bride herself, she has most recently used her interactive expertise to create BridalTweet , the new wedding community that connects brides, wedding vendors, and wedding bloggers. Christine spends her time listening to the BridalTweet community in order to deliver the ultimate wedding experience for brides, wedding vendors, and bloggers.