We thought we’d seen it all on reality TV shows, but OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network, has announced that it has picked up the new wedding series “Dont Tell the Bride” where the series gives couples a budget to create their perfect wedding with only one catch…

Source: oprah.com

Los Angeles, CA — OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today it has picked up eight episodes of the new wedding series Don’t Tell the Bride based on the hit U.K. show of the same name.

The series gives eight cash-strapped couples a budget to create the wedding of their dreams. But here’s the catch—the bride and groom can’t see each other for the month leading up to the nuptials, and the groom has to plan the whole wedding in secret with the help of his best man and the bride knows nothing of the events!

The bride will see the invitations right when they come in the mail; she’ll try on the dress hours before she wears it down the aisle; and she’ll view the reception venue and meal when she arrives with the rest of her guests.

Does this sound like a nightmare? Or is this a chance for the groom to impress his bride? When it comes to a wedding, there’s always drama, and Don’t Tell the Bride promises tantrums—and a few unexpected tears of joy before “the big day” is done.

Don’t Tell the Bride is produced by Shed Media U.S. and is based on a series format from Renegade Pictures and Digital Rights Group.

About OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network
A joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is a multi-platform media company designed to entertain, inform and inspire people to live their best lives. OWN debuted on January 1, 2011, in approximately 80 million homes on what was the Discovery Health Channel. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform, Oprah.com. For more information, please visit Oprah.com and www.press.discovery.com/us/own.

Source: oprah.com

Branches is no stranger to a summer wedding and we wanted to share with you some tips on how to prepare for a perfect summer wedding day. Whether you’re ceremony and reception is held at our waterfall garden, or you’re planning a Jersey Shore wedding, preparation is key!

By: Lise Rina

Having a summer wedding is a dream of many brides, though this type of event is not without its own challenges. You want a day where nothing goes wrong, the sun shines and everything is perfect. Luckily by following a few simple guidelines this should be easy to achieve.

Marrying in the open air is a lovely idea. However when it comes to saying your vows you want to make sure you are either in the shade or the sun is behind you. Being blinded by the sun shining straight into your eyes is not a good look for your wedding day.

Your guests will also appreciate some shade. However if the plan is that they are in the open air, and high temperatures are forecast, you want to make sure that they are not going to pass out in the heat. A good way to avoid this is to provide little fans and bottled water on the seats. Holding a wedding either early in the day or in the evening will also make the temperature a little cooler.

One of the big advantages of summer weddings, apart from the weather, is the choice of flowers available. However this can also bring challenges. Any guests that suffer from hay fever or pollen allergies are not going to enjoy being surrounded by a sea of blooms. If you know anyone who suffers from allergies let them know they types of flower you are using and then they can take precautions.

Insects are another consideration for weddings held in the summer, and they will happily turn up without an invitation. The most challenging time tends to be as the photographs are being taken as people are milling around with sugary drinks in their hands. As you can’t ban insects the next best thing is to make sure there is a handy first aid kit available should anyone get stung.

Think carefully about where you are going to place your cake. You may think that your beautiful tiered creation covered in butter cream roses would look perfect with the sun shining on it, but it’s more likely it would start to melt. Keep your cake out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources such as spot lights.

Having a summer wedding is a very special thing. You want to do everything you can to make the day as perfect as possible. In many cases it is taking care of the small details that will turn your wedding from a good one to one that will be talked about for years.

By: Lise Rina

We tend to focus a lot of our attention on the bride but there’s another very important person who’s involved with planning a wedding and, no, it’s not your wedding planner. We’re talking about the groom! We’ve collected these very helpful tips from weddingchannel.com for all the groom’s out there who are trying to find the perfect tux for your wedding. All eyes may be on the bride, but a great looking tux will make you both shine on your wedding day!

Source: weddingchannel.com

As she walks down the aisle, all eyes are on the bride, her gown, her glow. But once the ceremony begins, she’s sharing a double bill with you, the groom, and your tuxedo should be a perfect fit.

The bottom line is that you can’t overestimate the importance of finding a suit that fits you well, so don’t borrow one or drag out the senior prom tux. Instead, go to a proper tux store and work with the tailor. When you’re wearing a suit that fits right, you’ll feel more comfortable on the day, it will cut down on the perspiration and you’ll look great. But there’s more to consider than jacket size and inseam. The style of the suit you choose can make you look your best. Here are some classic looks for the four body types.

1. If you’re tall and slender or medium height and build, the choice is easiest for you: any style. But the perfectly fit suit is still just as important. Thinner men look good in a double-breasted jacket. Ask that the shoulders be padded a little more than normal and the waist be taken in to a comfortable extent. These tactics make the body seem more muscular and create a great line. The trousers look best when the legs are slightly fuller than normal with a higher rise. But to be honest, with this body type, it’s hard to go wrong with your tuxedo choice.

2. If you’re tall and husky or very muscular, the shawl-collar tux is the right choice for you. This is the smooth, thinner collar without notched lapels. The jacket is usually single-breasted with one button. Wearing a jacket that is long enough is very important too. With hands relaxed at your side, your fingertips should reach the bottom of the jacket. As with any good suit, your shirt cuffs should ride about an inch beyond the jacket sleeve. If you have a wide face or a thick neck, your collar and tie choice is important too. You don’t want to look like you’re being choked.

* Choose the spread collar rather than the wing tip and avoid thin bow ties. This doesn’t mean you should appear in a giant ’70’s butterfly bow tie, just choose one that’s in proportion with your face and neck.

* The jacket should feel a little loose so you can move easily and let some air circulate. Ask that the trouser legs be slightly wider if you have large or muscular thighs for the sake of comfort and looks.

* Avoid the double-breasted jackets since the buttons tend to focus the eyes on your midsection and make it look wider. If you are on the heavier side, you may think of choosing a vest over a cummerbund since they look and feel less constricting.

3. If you’re on the shorter side and muscular or stocky the choice of a shawl collar is the right one. Again, this is the smooth, thinner collar without notched lapels. The jacket should be single-breasted and the button should be quite low, around the belt line to make your torso appear longer and leaner. It may be counter-intuitive, but choose a jacket without a lot of shoulder padding. Your own shoulder line will help you look less broad in the photos. Pleated trousers can also be a good idea but aren’t obligatory. Some people think they’re slimming, but opinions vary. The legs of the trousers should be cut as low as possible without looking unfinished, making the break between the trouser leg and the shoe as subtle as possible. If they are angled a little in back, they’ll make your legs look longer. As with the huskier men discussed above, avoid wing-tip collars and very small ties if you have a large face or neck. You may be more comfortable choosing a vest over the traditional cummerbund if you are on the heavier side.

4. If you’re shorter and thin, you’ll look best in a single-breasted jacket with a single button placed low. This will lengthen the lines of your look. If you’d like to appear a little broader, a notched or “peak” lapel is a good choice. You would also look fine in a double-breasted jacket and achieve the same effect. The trousers could be pleated with reverse double pleats if you’d like, and the trouser legs should break just above your shoes, angling slightly downward in back. Smaller bow ties are the best choice for your frame as are vests with an elegant, understated pattern.

Just a final word: if the choices are sparse, and in some parts of the country they might be, you’ll probably be shown single breasted suits with different collar types. In the absence of the perfect jacket, opt for the shawl collar. It’s a classic. You can’t go wrong.

For more tips visit weddingchannel.com

For more information about our waterfall garden or this central Jersey catering hall facility please contact us.

Here at Branches we’ve grown accustomed to seasonal changes that effect the various events taking place either in our facility or at a Jersey shore wedding. By far the worst weather offender is rain. We found these tips helpful for newly engaged couples to keep in mind while planning their wedding. For more tips on what your rainy wedding day backup plan should include contact us.

Source: timesdispatch.com

When a couple envisions their ideal wedding day, rain rarely comes into the picture. Unless a couple likes things soggy, chances are, rain on the big day will be a bit of a disappointment.

While there’s no way couples can keep it from raining on their wedding days, there are ways to prevent rain from ruining the ceremony and the ensuing festivities.

• Have a contingency plan in place well in advance. Weather is unpredictable, but couples who choose an outdoor wedding should begin making a contingency plan well in advance of the wedding. This doesn’t mean couples need to plan two weddings; they just need to discuss with vendors what the plan of action is going to be should rain arrive. When booking a venue, discuss with the venue manager what the venue can do if it rains. Many venues will set up a tent and have an umbrella station for arriving guests. When getting married outdoors, choose a venue that’s both idyllic and capable of handling a wet wedding.

It’s best to also have a contingency photography plan in place as well. When choosing a photographer, ask about his or her history with rainy weddings. Find out if the photographer has an indoor studio where portraits can be taken if the conditions outside are not ideal. Or, maybe he or she is familiar with the reception site and knows a few areas that would make good backdrops.

• Get dressed at the venue. Brides understandably fear their wedding dress won’t survive a soggy ceremony. To reduce the gown’s exposure to rain, brides should consider getting dressed at the venue. This means they will only have to wear the dress outside during the actual ceremony. Wrap the gown and other accessories, including shoes, in plastic to keep them safe from rain and mud. If the wedding is slated for later in the day, call the venue and determine how early the wedding parties can arrive and how much space will be provided for the party to get dressed. This won’t be too big an issue for the groom and his groomsmen, but the bride and her bridal party will likely want to get there several hours in advance of the ceremony.

• Wear waterproof makeup. Brides-to-be should wear waterproof makeup. In addition, bring a collection of items, including hairspray and extra makeup, that can help combat the elements.

• Prepare the ushers. Instruct the ushers before guests begin to arrive that their roles have taken on greater importance, thanks to the weather. Ushers should keep an eye out and an umbrella open for arriving guests, escorting guests to their seats under a cloak of dryness. Once the happy couple has said their “I dos” and all the guests have managed to stay dry, the bride and groom should offer some special thanks to the ushers who helped keep everyone dry.

Source: timesdispatch.com

Here at Branches a lot of bride-to-be’s and Bar/Bat Mitzvah moms and daughters ask us what tips we have for what make-up looks best for the type of event they are having. For an outdoor wedding in our waterfall garden we think a simple natural look fits best, but inside the ballrooms a more dramatic look might fit better. We thought we’d share some application and color tips from CoverGirl to help make these decisions easier. Enjoy!

Source: CoverGirl

Practical tips like how to apply foundation, choosing the right shade and more.

SEASONAL UPDATE
Don’t wear the same foundation with a summer tan as you would in the winter. Skin color changes with the seasons, so your foundation should change, too.

TO BE PRECISE
For the most professional application, use your fingertips or a triangle sponge to apply foundation. Natural sea sponges don’t cover evenly—save them for your bath. Instead, try foam wedges—the smooth surface strokes on evenly, the tapered edge blends make-up into tough to reach spots like corners between the eye and nose.

BRIGHT-EYED TIP
Use foundation on your eyelids even if you never wear shadow. It evens out the lid’s tone and instantly brightens.

THE BLEND TREND
Be sure to double-check your neck when applying foundation. To avoid a severe line where your makeup stops and your neck begins, start at the center of the face and blend outward, gradually applying with a lighter touch as you approach your neck and hairline.

SHAKE THINGS UP
If you are using a liquid foundation, always shake the bottle vigorously before applying.

FINE LINE TAMER
To smooth fine lines, normal to dry skin types should prime their skin with a primer like COVERGIRL and Olay Simply Ageless Primer. Primers moisturize and even skin tone for a smoother makeup application.

Which applicators are right for your makeup routine? It’s time to find out!

Sponge
Sponges are perfect for liquid or cream-based formulas. They provide the fullest and most precise application. Dip a sponge into your liquid makeup and smooth a thick layer all over your face. Add extra coverage in areas with uneven tone.

Puff
Puffs work great for powdering on the go. They fit into most compacts and provide buildable yet even coverage. Lightly dab the puff over shiny or uneven areas. A few thin layers provide better coverage than one thicker one.

Brush
There’s a brush for every application, from eyeshadow to blush. Brushes are great for precise application of powder formulas. Just like puffs, a few thin layers applied with a brush are better than one thicker one.

For more tips and tricks visit covergirl.com

If you’re planning a wedding, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, or a corporate event and you would like to have it at Branches please contact us.

With Mother’s Day this Sunday we thought we’d share the Top 10 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas! In case you haven’t already planned a special day for the moms in your life be sure to check out our Mother’s Day Brunch featuring a large brunch menu and a complimentary family portrait to commemorate the special day!

Source: askmen.com

“All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.” -Abraham Lincoln

Every man on earth is some mother’s son. Put another way, each one of us owes our existence to our moms’ decisions to spend years and years putting our interests before theirs. Those men lucky enough to have kids of their own are in similar debt to their partners for their children.

We’re reminding you of this because Mother’s Day happens to be just around the corner, and we sincerely hope you’ve got plans to show as well as tell all the moms in your life just how much you appreciate them. If you haven’t figured out a strategy, we’re here to help get you on the right track by providing 10 great gift ideas most moms will love.

Keep in mind that hitting a home run on this day as a son, son-in-law, husband, or brother is no excuse for neglecting moms the other 364 days in a year. But showing you care in the right way on Mother’s Day certainly doesn’t hurt.

No.10 Flowers

If sending these along to your mom wasn’t the first idea that popped into your head, we’d recommend seeing a neurologist. That said, women have an uncanny ability to discern the quality of flowers, so don’t think she won’t know you opted for the cheapest bouquet you could find. Conversely, by taking the high road and shelling out for the FTD luxury collection, she’ll know you’ve done something special and show her pleasure by placing them prominently in her home for everyone to see.

Why? Though it may seem trite, there’s a reason why giving flowers on Mother’s Day is popular. Like flowers, being a mom is a beautiful thing, and beautiful things definitely deserve each other’s company.

No.9 Candles

Loved by women for their flattering and soothing light, and mind-clearing aromas, you can never go wrong adding to your mom’s candle stockpile. If you opt for this approach, make sure your selection is made from vegetable soy wax like that used in these Pacifica Perfume candles, because they burn better right to the very end.

Why?: A weekend at home smelling a yummy candle is much more appealing than noticing your or the family dog’s lack of hygiene.

No.8 Gift card

This isn’t the type of gift we recommend every day, but in the case of moms who spend the majority of time shopping for others, receiving a gift card to their favorite shop can often break down their selflessness for a change by giving them the treat to shop for themselves. Don’t assume, however, that you can pass this relatively easy gift off without putting some thought into some attractive packaging and a well-written card. If you want to get more specific, we recommend the new Robert Redford: The Biography.

Why? The saying goes “it’s the thought that counts,” but the fact is letting moms choose their own special gift will guarantee they get what they want.

No.7 Gift basket

This idea may seem better suited for a corporate convention, but not every gift basket is created equal. Packed with her favorite gourmet foods, and useful tools to make cooking them a real pleasure, a customized gift basket from Dean & DeLuca is a very classy gift. However, if you’re really looking to earn good-son brownie points, you should be the one to prepare this gift’s goodies for her as an added way to show you care.

Why? Food is meant to be shared with loved ones, so if you play your cards right, she might just let your stomach benefit from your good taste in gift giving as well.

No.6 Home spa treatment

While celebrating all of her accomplishments as a mother, many women find themselves reflecting on all the time that has passed to get here. By giving the gift of home spa products like this pomegranate salt glow scrub from Aromafloria, she can treat herself to a relaxing day at home while marveling at all she has accomplished. More importantly, though, her day of home pampering will also give her skin a more youthful appearance akin to the days when she focused on herself and not her kids.

Why? Every mom needs to be reminded of the beautiful woman she is as an individual, no matter how much you’d rather not think about it.

No.5 Home decor

Men may brush these tokens off as pointless knickknacks, but unique home decor accessories such as this Swan’s Island Merino throw are the kinds of gifts that detail-oriented moms love, because they help distinguish and freshen up the sanctuary that is her home.

Why? The old throw rug on the couch has started to resemble the Dead Sea Scrolls and this soft merino wool should provide her comfort even when you’re not around.

No.4 Sweet treats

Unless she’s in the extreme minority, your mom will always appreciate sweet treats. Chocolate, of course, is certainly a safe bet, but if you’re really looking to impress, sending an edible arrangement of her favorite fruit dipped in chocolate takes this gifting concept from the minor leagues to the pros. Made to be as beautiful as they are tasty, they’re also great for sharing when the family gets together

Why? Sending over a basket of treats will make her feel great and indulge her sweet-tooth urge she so often says no to.

No.3 Greenery

The process of caring for a living thing is an instinct that typically stays with moms long after they’ve kicked you out. To cater to this instinct, give her beautiful greenery she can also tend to, such as a gorgeously packaged BloemBox.

Why? Apart from adding color and wonderful fragrance to her home, raising plants doesn’t result in dirty dishes and unmade beds, the way raising you did.

No.2 Perfume

Some moms wear perfume every day, while others save it for special occasions. Regardless of what bucket your mom falls into, giving her a bottle of her own favorite fragrance will save her a trip to the department store and keep her smelling like she prefers. If you’re an inattentive son and don’t know what she likes, giving her a bottle of the classic Chanel No. 5 might just save your bacon.

Why? Scent is the most powerful sense attached to memory, so make sure you always remember your mom in the best possible way.

No.1 Massage and spa treatment

Mother’s Day gifts are all about making moms feel good, and nothing fulfills that goal more directly than giving mom a massage and spa treatment. Lucky for you, giving this gift just got easier thanks to SpaFinder, since there’s no need to struggle with the hassle of finding a local spa. One universal gift certificate is accepted at over 5,000 spa locations and can be used for any service the spa offers.

Why? After a lifetime of making you feel good when you needed it the most, treating her to a day of relaxation is one small way of paying her back.

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