What a great photo of the Happy Couple!

For more photos, Please visit Jeri Houseworth’s Blog!

http://jerihouseworthphotography.com/blog/2010/06/6-5-2010-robyn-andrew/

Branches catering is the one-stop destination to ensure that your child’s bar or bat-mitzvah reception is handled and planned properly to allow for a day of memories that will last a lifetime.

A bar or bat mitzvah is a very important celebration Jewish families. The occasion is the start “adulthood” and an initiation as full-pledged members of their community. This event usually is accompanied by a wonderful party. But just like a wedding or birthday party, planning this affair can be stressful. But, with the guidelines below paired with a bat or bar mitzvah gift, your son or daughter will surely treasure this special moment forever.

Plan early

As much as possible, plan the party 6 months or even 1 to 3 years in advance. This will give you and your child ample time to prepare what is needed, like scriptures or Tosha study and deciding every party detail. Starting early ensures you that the event will be flawless when the day finally arrives.

Set the date

Decide what time and date the ceremony and party will be held. Check with your calendar and rabbi of your congregation to see if your planned date falls on a holiday or another religious affair. If so, you will have to set another time and date that is better. When you find a suitable date, book it!

Decide on the budget

All the party preparations including the caterer, number of guests, venue, and so on, relies on the budget. The first thing to do when deciding the party’s budget is to count how many guests are invited. Everything else will follow. This essentially means that the more guests you’re inviting, the more money you will have to have for food, party favors, decorations, etc.

Choose the venue

The temple, hotel, restaurant, garden, or at home are examples of very nice venues where the ceremony and party can be held. Just make sure that all your guests will be well-accommodated. You may also choose two venues, one for the ceremony and the other for the party.

Plan what food and beverages to serve

The food and beverages to be served at the party relies not only on the budget and number of guests attending, but also on the time of day the party will be held. Full-meals can be served when the party is scheduled during the lunch or dinner hours. Finger foods can be served during non-typical meal times and can be excellent food choices for younger kids. You can also add a juice, cocktail, or alcoholic beverages bar.

Decorate and apply themes

Decorations and themes make the venue inviting and lively for the guests. These two may not be necessary, but can be added to the party if the child wishes to. When applying themes, it is best that you consider your child’s interests.

Entertain the guests

To keep guests from being bored, add music, parlor games, or other similar things. You can either hire a DJ or band for music plus some disco lights. Then certainly you’re guests will be dancing in no time.

Give invitations and keepsakes

To keep it formal, you can send invitations to your guests. And also remember to give them a special token as a remembrance of the occasion.

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By: Valeri

Beach Weddings make you think of white sandy beaches and flower covered gazebos. For those brides who wish to break away from the traditional wedding and have a beach wedding, there is a surprisingly large range of alternative wedding venues. Here are some tips for planning a beach wedding. The most unique beach wedding reception ideas are sparked by imagination not tradition. Never mind etiquette, tradition and timelines. It is a time for fun and celebration, not pomp and ceremony!

Tips for a perfect beach wedding:

1. The most important detail to consider when planning a beach wedding is the time of day that it will take place, early morning or late afternoon are best. Mid-day should be avoided if at all possible. In addition to being the warmest part of the day, the mid-day sun directly overhead is less than ideal in regard to photography. The intense glare and harsh shadows it creates are very difficult to avoid.

2. Shade is good, particularly for the bride and groom. Even at the most ideal time of day, direct sun can create shadows and cause squinting. A little bit of shade provides a nice, even light and eliminates hot spots, which are magnified by perspiration. Palm trees are the ideal natural source of shade and certainly add to the ambience of a beach ceremony, but aren’t always present in the desired location, especially if the ceremony is taking place close to the water.

3. Most beach weddings are more casual than traditional church ceremonies, which the choice of clothing should reflect. No heavy bridal gowns or black tuxedos, not only will you look out of place, but you will undoubtedly be uncomfortable as well. Light materials and colors are more pleasant to wear and more fitting to the scene. And don’t forget to remind your family and guests. If you and the rest of the wedding party are comfortable, everyone will enjoy himself or herself much more and it will certainly show in the photographs.

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