Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum

we met him, right through the day of our wedding. He checked in with us regularly (especially as our plans changed over time due to Covid) and went above and beyond to help us have the perfect day. Aside from the incredible people we worked with, the building itself is out of this world. We had our ceremony at the North Hall and all of our guests raved about how beautiful it was. Karpeles was perfect for our wedding and we can’t recommend it highly enough.

also a place that would let me put my own spin on things and take creative control of hiring my own vendors. Karpeles (and Chris the director of Karpeles) absolutely blew us away and was exactly what we were looking for. We had our reception at Porter Hall and it is such a Buffalo Gem. It is stunning, and the fact that its mostly white made it a beautiful canvas you could build off of. The white arches, warm wood accents, side room with the fireplace, and central organ gave the space so much warmth and class. I also loved that the main room was big enough for tables and a dancefloor without having to move anything around, we had about 160 people. The side rooms were perfect to set up our buffet, and then we put our bar in the fireplace side room, I loved that the building made it so people could wander and explore a bit, we had an ice cream truck come and there is a beautiful garden out front where people at their ice cream and relaxed too. Karpeles saved and beautifully restored this building and it is a wonderful museum that displays priceless documents, one of my favorite moments at our wedding was when I quietly stepped away and looked at one of the cases and noticed it held an original copy of Puccini's Madame Butterfly, I thought how cool that such a masterpiece is present for a special day in my little life. Anyways, anecdote aside, I really wanted my wedding to have a classy and vintage (but not pretentious) atmosphere and this was the perfect place. It was also very cool that friends and family who grew up in Buff got to see a building they've never visited before (instead of going to the same banquet halls they've been to a bunch). This venue is more for a bride who is okay with taking on a little extra stress of finding a caterer, and bringing in things like tables, chairs, decor, DJ, etc. You are renting the building and Chris and staff of the building are amazing and will help you with anything or any questions and go above in beyond with recommendations and assistance but ultimately it is up to you to hire your vendors and coordinate everything (I liked this because than my fiancee and I could pick all the people we worked with and could make every detail really feel like us, but this much creative control could definitely be overwhelming if you are more the type of person who wants a package where everything is provided for you). I also have to say Chris really became a good friend through this process. He is extremely professional but with a warmth and passion that you don't often see in the wedding Biz. He wants you to have the day of your dreams and will try to help in every way, he also answers emails extremely quick and always answers in full detail, but also always asks how you are doing and remembers to human aspect of what Brides are going through, just an awesome guy. I was hoping to have things like a sparkler exit and candlesticks at the tables, two things that are big no no's in a lot of spaces or banquet halls but Chris said as long as we properly plan for it and take a couple precautions we could do almost anything we'd like. I pride myself on being blunt and honest and I can honestly say brides are lucky to have a place like Karpeles exist in Buffalo, do not hesitate to pick them!

uests. The ceremony went off without a hitch.

ter Hall location and other than it being 90 degrees outside in late September (with no AC inside), it was absolutely perfect. Chris was really helpful and attentive throughout the whole process. I felt like a maniac sending him so many emails in the weeks leading up to the wedding, but he seemed a-ok with it. The space itself is so unique. We didn't want a run of the mill wedding venue so this fit the bill. Be warned that you have to rent EVERYTHING if you choose to go with this space, but other than lots of logistics to think about, that worked out just fine. Another huge plus was that we were given access to the space three days before the wedding, I wouldn't have been able to manage setup otherwise. I was a little bit worried about only having street parking for guests but I didn't (and haven't) heard a single person complain about that. Bathrooms are a little tricky if you have anybody who is in a wheelchair. Our caterer didn't have any issues with the space, nor did our awesome band (sound was awesome). I highly recommend Karpeles for your ceremony AND reception.