At Branches Catering we know that planning a wedding can be very stressful for everyone involved, especially the bridesmaids who usually end up dishing out a lot time and money through out the process. That said, it is important for the bride-to-be to treat her bridesmaids well and show her appreciation for their hard work and dedication to helping plan her wedding. Here are some ways to show your bridesmaids how thankful you are.

Source: the knot

Unlike your wedding vendors and even your future in-laws, your bridesmaids aren’t new to the scene — they’ve always been there for you. As you’re planning your wedding, you’ll likely need their help more than ever. But remember: They’re your friends first and foremost, which means it’s a priority to make sure your relationships stay strong throughout all the wedding drama. Here’s how to make it happen.

Respect Their Responsibilities
Planning a wedding can be a full-time job, but that doesn’t mean being a bridesmaid should be too. As you’re allocating responsibilities, be respectful of each maid’s life outside the wedding — your friend who’s trying to make partner at her law firm or who’s dealing with a new baby may not have time to assist you with every little task. At the same time, you don’t want to cause discord within the wedding party if some maids feel the others aren’t pulling their weight. Try to keep a good balance, and remember, your bridesmaids don’t have to do everything: You’ve got your parents, other family members, and your fiance. Plenty of people are willing to pitch in, so take advantage of it as you need to.

Dress Them Well
If you want your maids to match, don’t just think about your dream wedding — you also have to consider their figures. If you know one of them would be uncomfortable in the dresses you envision, come up with a compromise. Not sure one dress will work for all your girls? Come up with guidelines (say, a color and length you like) and then let them choose the exact style. Trust us, even with different necklines or sashes, they’ll still look fantastic. Remember, you want each and every one of your maids to feel beautiful (and comfortable!), so your efforts in the dress department are well worth it.

Keep Them in the Black
Bridesmaids have to shell out for quite a bit over the course of the wedding: dresses, hair, shower and wedding gifts, the bachelorette party, and travel expenses. These add up and can put a pinch on even the most financially flush of maids. Take this into consideration and offer help when you can. For example, you can let them know that they shouldn’t feel pressured to give you an extravagant shower gift, or if you’re having more than one shower, tell them that you don’t expect multiple shower gifts. You can also help them track down inexpensive flights or hotel rooms.

Make Their To-Do List Manageable
Yes, part of the bridal party’s job is to be your go-to gals when you need something done. But no, that doesn’t mean you should be cracking the whip nonstop. Whenever you’re asking one of your maids to do something — whether it’s attending your gown fitting or tying a hundred miniature bows around a hundred favor boxes — stop and think: Would I do this for her? It’s a good reality check to keep your requests reasonable. The same goes on the day of the wedding: Try to come up with a game plan beforehand of who you need to do what. Then make a second mental list of who else can help — aunts, cousins, ushers, and so on. When little things do come up (which they will), you’ll be able to rely on that latter team to help you take care of details as needed rather than overextending your bridesmaids.

Give (and Receive) Graciously
You imagined a gracious afternoon tea; instead, there’s bridal shower bingo. It might be tough, but you’ve got to smile and say thank you. While you can give your bridesmaids suggestions as to what you want for the pre-wedding parties, you don’t get to actually plan them yourself. Whatever your bridesmaids come up with, they want to do their jobs and make you happy, so be appreciative. No matter what happens, always remember to thank them. This goes for your gifts to them too. While it makes sense to get your girls the same thing so there isn’t a feeling of favoritism, they might not all have the same taste. A better idea is to pick a category or something that comes in lots of styles and colors. That way, you can show that you love them all but still acknowledge each as an individual.

Be a Good Friend
Really obvious, right? But sometimes when you’re caught up in wedding-related drama, it can be hard to remember that’s there’s a world outside your wedding. You lean on your bridesmaids to make it through, but don’t forget that they’ve got their own lives too. When you meet up with one of your girls, make a point to talk about things that are not related to the wedding. Whether it’s the project she’s working on at work or the blind date she went on last weekend, she’ll appreciate the opportunity to tell you all about it, the same way she always has. Similarly, when you’re really upset — whether about the wedding or anything else — you’ll know she’ll be there for you, right now and long after the wedding’s over.

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A vineyard wedding will always be one to remember. From fine dining to delicate wines to beautiful scenery, you will have the perfect wedding ambiance. Branches Catering can help you plan the perfect vineyard wedding at Laurita Winery. Look over these great vineyard wedding ideas to see if it’s right for you!

Source: The Knot

If you thought vineyard weddings were only for Napa natives or destination weddings, think again. From an 80-acre plot in Clermont, Florida, to an 1805 barn establishment in Finesville, New Jersey, to a hillside site in Somerset, Kansas, there’s a winery waiting to host your wedding in every state in the US. Check out this guide to help you plan a stunning celebration among the grapevines.

The Invitations

• Play up the vineyard’s grapes and vines by choosing a stationery suite complete with purple and white save-the-dates, invitations, and thank-you notes. Purchase a purple wax seal and add the vineyard’s official stamp to each envelope.
• For a Tuscan-inspired event, opt for rich browns and gold print for a rustic look. Include a subtle wine motif by incorporating an embossed grapevine or wine glasses at the bottom of your stationery.
• Wow guests by sending personalized wine bottles with customized labels. Put a rolled-up scroll inside an empty bottle, seal it with the vineyard’s specialty cork, and place it in a padded or hay-stuffed wooden box.

The Decor

• Vineyard Elegance: A natural choice, the wine country theme is easy to pull off with a buttery yellow and plum color palette. Wine corks with escort card inserts can lead guests to tables named after your favorite bottles of wine. Purple table linens topped with rattan chargers and khaki napkins contrast well with overflowing vases filled with a mix of grapes and plum flowers.
• Cellar Celebration: A blend of rich chocolate brown and bright orange would look great for a reception in a wine cellar. Top brown or burlap linens with weaved baskets overflowing with orange and golden flowers, sprigs of wheat, and fresh gourds. Don’t forget to set up candles around the room for a romantic glow.
• Tuscan Villa: Evoke the Italian hillside with gorgeous gold, mauve, and green linens accented with gilded chargers and gold-flecked glassware. For the centerpieces, consider potted topiaries or mixing flowers in terra cotta pots surrounded by Spanish moss. Hang vintage lanterns with slow-burning candles from the cellar’s exposed ceiling beams.

The Menu

• For a signature cocktail, serve Bellinis garnished with fresh peach chunks, or opt for rich and refreshing red wine sangria.
• Nothing goes better with wine than cheese. Ask your caterer to set up a station with big blocks of different kinds of cheese. Don’t forget signage to explain where each cheese is produced.
• When it comes to a seated meal, a wine-pairing feast is a must for a vineyard wedding. Your caterer can help you select the best wines to complement each course.

The Dessert

• Add some Italian flair with a fluffy Florentine sponge cake topped with a refreshing orange or lemon sorbet.
• Ask your cake baker to paint a grapevine motif on your cake’s tiers and top it with small bundles of gum paste grapes.
• Indulge in a four-tiered chocolate Zinfandel cake with strawberry filling covered in layers of rich chocolate fondant and fresh strawberries.

The Favors

• Thank guests with sterling silver wine stoppers.
• Attach personalized thank-you tags to bottles of fresh olive oil.
• Offer mini bottles of wine from the vineyard’s stock.

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Come view our tented vineyard wedding venue and fall in love with one of New Jersey’s most beautiful hidden jewels. Laurita Winery is located in New Egypt (Ocean County), 1 1/2 hours from Manhattan and a short drive from almost anywhere in New Jersey. Experience the ambiance of the unique location at our exclusive Vineyard Wedding Bridal Showcase . Take in the surrounding 250-acre vineyard in a setting complete with 12-column ceremony pergola and adjacent fire pit. Savor Branches Catering delicious cuisine, meet our preferred vendors, and perhaps be one of our lucky prize winners. Experience the beauty of an NJ vineyard wedding today! Attendance is by invitation only, for engaged couples who are seeking a venue.

Featuring the following vendors:

• Sound Connection Entertainment
• Russ De Santis Photography & Video
• Richard Music Ensemble
• Petal Beach Florists
• Ocean Tents and Party Rentals

What to expect:

• Ceremony pergola
• Intimate fire pit
• Napa Valley & Mediterranean inspired cuisine
• Exceptional service
• Natural setting

For more information, click here.

Remember, attendance is by invitation only. Call us toll-free (877) 316-1753 to request an invitation.

Laurita Winery
35 Archertown Road
(GPS users enter 85 Archertown Rd)
New Egypt, NJ 08533

Laurita Winery is dedicated to producing premium wines that reflect a dedication to that stewardship of the vineyards and the outer coastal plains region in central New Jersey. At Laurita, we believe in sustainability – the integration of environmental conservancy, social equity and economic viability in everything we do. We believe it makes us better stewards of the lands, better wine-makers, better neighbors and better members of the community. Branches Catering also takes a stand against global warming with the implementation of Green Cuisine.

Source: Jack Wright

The winery building at Laurita was built out of textile tables from New England, pieces of antique furniture, architectural accessories, paintings, light fixtures and doors from auctions, old hotels and flea markets purchased and stored by Ray Shea and his partner Randy Johnson along with their grown sons Ed Shea and Tim Johnson. The vast majority of the winery consists of old recycled building materials.

The partners’ vision was always one which extending to the “green” philosophy. From a “green” perspective, the partners have planted native species, created rain gardens, have installed solar panels and have used low-VOC paints and special insulating materials.  The commitment of both men towards the conservancy of the wonderful natural resources that are a rich inheritance of the property cannot be ignored when you visit the winery.  The whole estate is among the first pieces of land in New Jersey to become part of the Farm Preservation Program, and in the their merging of Old-World values and sensibilities with state-of-the-art technologies, Ray and Randy have brought to the rich soils and micro climate of New Egypt a magnificent winery and vineyards whose premium wines are a testament to their commitment and perseverance.

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Here are some ways to make your wedding delicious! Read through these wedding cake trends to learn about different ways to provide your guests with a dessert experience they won’t soon forget. At Branches Catering, we know how important dessert is when planning your wedding, so we want to help you serve up something extra delicious and extra special!

Source: eleGALA.com

Inspire your imagination with this list of today’s top trends for wedding cakes and desserts…

Much more than a sweet finale to the reception meal, wedding cakes and desserts are a major style statement, and the trends, like all other wedding details, evolve with the times. The wedding cake presents a perfect opportunity for creative brides to play with shape, color, and embellishments. For those of you who need a little inspiration, consult this list of top trends for wedding cakes.

8 Modern Wedding Cake Trends

Back to Buttercream

Buttercream was once the traditional frosting for wedding cakes, but sleek cakes came into favor, and rolled fondant became the frosting of choice. Not anymore, thanks to advanced tools and techniques that allow buttercream to look as smooth as fondant, cakes iced in buttercream are again the norm. We love this trend, since buttercream frosting tastes better, has natural ingredients, and costs less than fondant. Now you can literally have your stylishly sleek cake – and eat it, too.

Keeping it Simple

As brides look for creative ways to meet their budgets without sacrificing style, simple cakes are making a comeback. Classic ivory fondant embellished with ribbon or flowers is a gorgeous and safe choice, but many brides are taking things to the next level with contemporary and fun “messy” icing. These cakes have gorgeous texture and a truly modern look while requiring less labor, which will help keep costs down.

Creative Toppers

While unique cake toppers like pinwheels, paper rosettes, and bird nests are adorning contemporary cakes, many couples are going back to the traditional bride and groom but with an interesting twist: completely personalized toppers that bear a likeness to the couple themselves. Etsy artist, Milk Tea offers a plethora of pre-made toppers to choose from, but will also create a completely customized mini version of you and your honey.

Square Mini-Cakes

Cupcake towers in lieu of wedding cakes have been around for awhile, but brides are making cupcakes interesting again by playing with shape and size. Brides are stacking square shaped mini-cakes (slightly larger than cupcakes) adorned with flowers or dressed as presents for a completely different take on the cupcake frenzy.

Think Pink

Pink – the perpetual hot color for weddings – had begun to fall out of favor as brides experimented with hues like yellows, grays, and even black. But soft pink is back in a big way, and brides are incorporating the blush tones throughout their wedding cake designs. Pink instantly freshens up classic white. Tone down an all-pink cake with real ivory flowers or lace details.

Cupcakes

For years, cupcakes have been replacing traditional tiered cakes and somehow, the tiny confections continue to evolve. From floral embellished towers to intricate icing and creative toppers, cupcakes always seem to both wow and please the wedding guests.

Dessert Tables

Dessert tables are an increasingly popular option that allow you to offer several different types of dessert. Pies, cupcakes, macaroons, rock candy, and M&Ms are often among the color coordinated sweets that dominate the dessert table while a single tiered cake tends to play a central roll for the traditional cake cutting. Often creatively decorated, dessert tables can become a fun, focal point of your wedding décor.

Groom’s Cake

The old Southern tradition of the groom’s cake is shedding its regional trappings and growing in popularity throughout the nation. And no, it doesn’t have to be the iconic red-velvet armadillo from Steel Magnolias. Today’s groom’s cakes, now just as elaborate as the wedding cake itself, often reflect the groom’s interest in a dramatic and whimsical expression: a deer grooms cake for an avid hunter, shaped like a race car for an diehard Nascar fan, or decked with his favorite sports team logo.

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