Branching Out Stories about past events, event planning, and more…


Archive for January, 2012

How to Get the Best Possible Photos From Your Wedding Photographer

Friday, January 13th, 2012

Your wedding is bound to be one of the most memorable days of your life as well as your significant other’s.  When planning a wedding, hiring a quality photographer is necessarily to make sure those memories don’t fade away over the years. Quinns Wedding Cars out of the UK has compiled a list of fantastic tips to help you get the most out of your wedding photographer which we’ve posted below. Make sure to keep these tips in mind and let  Branches Catering handle all of your wedding needs to help make your day one to remember forever.

Source: Quinns Wedding Cars

A photographer is an absolute must at any wedding, as you’ll hopefully want to savor the memories for years to come. Photographs are arguably the best medium for saving memories.

But how do you get the best work out of your photographer? Well its mainly down to preparation, and choosing the right photographer based on his experience and skill level.

The following tips will also help to get better results on the day:

Arrange an Interview with Your Photographer

Make sure that you get an interview with your photographer before the wedding to ensure he will be able to complete the job to your specifications and taste.

You may want to ask him to bring along examples of photographs that he has taken in the past so you can check if his style is what you want your wedding photographs to look like.

Help your Photographer out!

At the interview you will also need help the photographer by revealing as much detail about your day as possible. Let him to understand how events will roll out and where you would expect him to be at specific times.

You may also want to give him any tips on locations that would be good for photographs. Is there a picturesque garden near the church that you would like some photos in…? All these tip-offs will help you to get the best possible photos out of your photographer.

Let Your Photographer be Creative

Remember that a photographer will probably have many years experience in his field, so you need to trust his skill and allow him to complete his work without restraining his creativity too much.

Understand the photographers background and look at any examples that he may have. Look at his style carefully and see if that’s what you want your photos to be like.

Very often photographers will inadvertently create a style, and this will be hard to change just for your day, so choose carefully.

Choose a Photographer That Communicates

You’ll want to make sure you hire a photographer that communicates well. If a certain location isn’t working well, you need a photographer that will have the confidence to tell you. You’ll also need to regularly communicate with him on the day to make sure he’s getting on ok.

Be polite and instructive and allow his creativity to shine. This, as well as the tips above, will help to improve the quality of your wedding photographs and get the results that you want!

For the original article: click here

Wedding Venue FAQ: What to Ask Before You Book

Friday, January 13th, 2012

Is your heart set on a particular reception site? Or are you torn between a few? Be sure to do your homework before you sign.

Branches Catering has been hosting events for 10 years and knows a thing or two about finding the perfect reception site. We know that asking the right questions on your first visit will make it much easier to find the right place for you. Branches Catering is located in West Long Branch, NJ. We cater to many locations along the Jersey Shore including Asbury Park and Laurita Winery in New Egypt, NJ.

Source: Bridal Guide

Bride and Groom at this Jersey Shore catering hallYou can’t really set a wedding date until you’ve secured a location for your wedding reception (and ceremony), so the sooner you tackle this task, the better—do it 10 to 12 months in advance, if possible. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, meet with the banquet manager (or other senior representative) at each place to hash out the details. Following are the key questions to ask before you decide to book.

What services does the rental fee include?

Some reception halls provide catering services as well as all the necessary equipment (tables, chairs, linens, tableware and so on), while others offer only the room, requiring you to take care of equipment rentals. The site should provide a banquet manager who will be present on the day of your wedding at no extra charge.

Is the rental fee cheaper if we don’t book a Saturday night?

If you book a Friday or Sunday night you’ll likely get a lower rate. Rental fees also vary per month—you’ll get a better deal if you book a date during low season (usually considered the months of November through April).

Are other events scheduled on the same day?

Try to avoid booking a banquet hall that’s hosting another wedding simultaneously—you want the staff’s attention to be focused entirely on your event. It’s more common for sites to book an afternoon and evening event on the same day, which usually isn’t a problem.

What is your alcohol policy?

Your catering fee might include a full open bar, for which you’ll be charged either a flat fee or by the hour— or you may have the option of being charged based on what, and how much, guests actually consume.

Are your health department and insurance certificates up to date?

Reputable sites meet health codes and carry liability insurance in case someone becomes severely injured while on the property. If there’s no paperwork to prove these things, you don’t want to do business there.

Are there adequate restroom facilities?

In general, you’ll need at least two bathroom stalls for every 100 guests; for 150 guests, four or more stalls are ideal.

Can you accommodate physically challenged guests?

While most buildings will have ramps and elevators, do a walk-through to see for yourself how well these features will meet the needs of your wheelchair-bound guests.

Are there any restrictions we need to know about?

If a site is located in a heavily residential area, you may be legally required to close down your party at a certain hour. Also ask about fire hazards — some sites do not allow the use of taper candles or sparklers, for instance.

What is your payment and cancellation policy?

Upon signing, you may be asked to provide a security deposit. Find out if, and under what circumstances, your money is refundable, and make sure this is stated in the contract.

Hint: Don’t assume anything! For example, if you’re getting married in the hot summer months, be sure to ask if your site has air conditioning. You don’t want any unpleasant surprises.

Outta Site

Renting an all-inclusive hotel ballroom or banquet hall is a great idea, since these usually offer well-trained staffs as well as a manager who will handle most of the details for you.

For the full article click here.