We offer Green Cuisine here at Branches Catering so if you’re an eco-concious bride-to-be, we’ve got you covered. We also host many weddings with our partners at Laurita Winery, an environmentally friendly vineyard. There are many ways to lighten your carbon footprint while planning your wedding and here are a few to get you started!

Source: the knot

We don’t expect you to wage war against your venue if it doesn’t have low-flow toilets, but we’re all for helping the earth — and you can do it without sacrificing your budget, vision or sanity. Check out our tips for going green without walking down the aisle in a paper dress (yes, brides have done that!).

The Reception Venue
Choosing a venue helps set the stage and theme for any event and is usually your first major decision. However, traditional spaces, such as hotel ballrooms and fancy resorts, tend to use loads of electricity, water and other typically not-so-earth-friendly products in order to put on these ultra-glamorous affairs. Get married outdoors — rain or shine — on a farm or in a meadow and skip the electricity or running water. There are tons of beautiful botanical gardens, hilltops and farms that offer modern conveniences, like sinks and toilets, so you don’t have to sacrifice these comforts. You’ll still be helping the earth because you’re letting the sun provide all the lighting. But we know an outdoor ceremony and reception don’t work for everyone. If you want to be indoors, there are several ways you can make it green. First, hold your ceremony and reception in one place — no one will have to travel to get from one event to the next, so you’ll cut back on fuel emissions. Or choose a venue that gets plenty of sunlight and host a daytime wedding so you can leave the lights off. Another way to be green indoors: Look for hotels that recycle and use energy-efficient appliances and biodegradable products. Not sure where to start?

The Stationery
Millions of trees are toppled every year to make paper products, and the process of producing these items pollutes the environment. Now more and more couples are trying to help by making eco-conscious invite choices. Nix paper all together. Stick to Evites and your wedding web page to spread the word about all of your plans. Although email is great for quick, casual messages, we don’t think it’s formal enough for weddings. That’s why we don’t recommend sending your invites this way. (Plus, elderly guests may not have email, so they won’t get the Evite). Emailing thank-you cards isn’t a great idea either — handwritten notes best show that you appreciate your gifts. The easy paper-saving solution: Instead of two envelopes, one inside and one outside, opt for a single one. Take it a step further with recycled paper products. Try 100-percent recycled paper from TwistedLimbPaper.com. Some invites are even plantable — yes, plantable! Paper from companies like BotanticalPaperWorks.com are embedded with seeds. Guests can plant them in their backyards so the paper turns into flowers, plants or herbs instead of ending up in a landfill. Or go paperless with sustainable resources. Cotton items from Crane & Co. and bamboo ones by Smock are all gorgeous.

The Flowers
Blooms are already eco-friendly, right? Wrong! Many farmers douse flowers with chemicals to keep insects at bay. The pesticides kill organic matter in soil that’s needed to keep it healthy and fertile. They’ve even caused illness in the workers who handle them. Plus, most cut blooms come from abroad, and shipping the flowers adds to fuel use and pollution. Walk down the aisle sans bouquet, and leave reception tables bare — or decorate them with things you can reuse in your home after the wedding, like candles.  Skip out-of-season blooms since they’ll have to be shipped. Instead, look for seasonal flowers right in your own state. If you have your heart set on a flower that isn’t in season and a seasonal replica won’t do, look for flowers that are VeriFlora-certified. This means that the blooms aren’t drenched in chemicals or grown under harsh working conditions. Another eco-friendly choice is to choose potted blooms or plants as centerpieces.This way, you can take them home and replant them after the wedding. For you DIYers, you can craft boutonnieres and bouquets from paper (Paper-Source.com has easy kits). Bonus points if you’re able to find paper that’s made from postconsumer products.

The Catering
Food is the center of any celebration, but trees have to be cut down to make room for raising animals who are later slaughtered for meat. And, as with flowers, non-organic fruits and veggies may be treated with pesticides that can harm the earth and farm workers.  A three-course meal of only organic goods and a vegan cake. Organic foods tend to cost more, so if they’re not accounted for in your budget, they might not be an option. You may also not want a vegan meal, which means no dairy products, no eggs and, obviously, no meat. So how can your dinner be green? Look for a caterer who uses locally grown food. If bought directly from growers, food needs less time in the fridge and less packaging to stay fresh. The result: You’ll create less trash and less electricity has to be used. And since the food is coming from a shorter distance, less fuel is needed to transport it. Your baker can use locally harvested eggs and milk for the cake too. Another tip: Choose in-season produce. Out-of-season fruits and veggies are grown in heated greenhouses. If you’re having a winter wedding, don’t serve summer favorites, like eggplant and zucchini, that must be grown in a greenhouse. Opt for winter squash, like acorn or butternut, and Brussels sprouts instead.

The Favors
No matter how practical a couple thinks their parting gifts are, many guests throw them out. Also, some plastics, metals and fabrics that couples use to package their favors are tough on the environment to produce and hard to get rid of because they don’t biodegrade. Ditch the favors altogether and donate to a charity instead. Let all of your guests know about your contribution via word of mouth instead of printing a sign. Favors are considered an extra, but you still may want to give guests a takeaway treat as a little thank-you. Luckily, there are ways to make sure that yours don’t end up in landfills. One option: Give edible favors. Head to your favorite farm or orchard for jars of jam or fresh honey. Not only will you save on gas by staying local, but you’ll also be using glass containers that guests may recycle or reuse after they’ve finished what’s inside. Plus, local favors are personalization enough — you can skip the monogrammed favor tag. Another choice: Buy organic, pesticide-free chocolate bars. Resist the urge to add extra packaging! For a more lasting favor, give out something guests can grow, like seeds in pretty packets. Or group bamboo plants together to make a centerpiece and then let each guest take one home.

The Wedding Dress
Dresses aren’t always eco-friendly because, after making a pattern, there’s bound to be extra material that gets tossed. And with man-made fabrics, like most tulles and some satins, electricity has to be used to create these. The fact that you’ll only wear a wedding gown once also adds to the wastefulness. Your mom preserved her wedding dress for a reason. If it’s not quite your style, work with a seamstress to make it right. Yep, we get it — choosing a gown just for you is one of the highlights of wedding planning. But there are ways to be green when deciding what to wear. First stop: Check out vintage clothing shops for pre-worn dresses. That way, no new gowns are made and the dress that you buy gets a second wear too. But if you prefer to wear a brand-new dress, try to find a designer who uses sustainable fabrics created by nature — and not a factory — like organic cotton, silk or hemp. We love Adele Wechsler’s Eco Couture line. Consider letting the bridal party wear clothes they already own. Offer a few guidelines, like a color or dress length. They’ll love that they can show off their style.

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So much goes into planning a wedding, but it is important to be mindful of what still needs to be done post-wedding. Guests are usually eager to give gifts to the newly married couple, so it is important to thank them for their generosity. At Branches Catering, we can help you with all of the planning, but the post-wedding tasks are up to you!

Source: eleGALA.com

Yes, we all love to receive gifts, and weddings are a perfect occasion for gift-giving, as friends and loved ones customarily honor the commitment of the newly betrothed by showering them with wedding gifts. As the happy couple, just remember to always feel privileged – not entitled. Approach thank-yous with as much thought and organization as the rest of your wedding planning.

Here are some practical tips to make sending your thank-yous a breeze:

1. Send thank-you notes to acknowledge everything from place settings to gifts of time or talent. Remember: A separate, handwritten note must be sent for each wedding present or act of kindness.
2. Start sending wedding thank-yous as soon as gifts arrive, even if it is before your wedding (but make sure to use your maiden name).
3. Gifts that you receive on your big day should be followed up with a thank-you note no later than one month after you return from your honeymoon (now you can use your new last name).
4. To ease the process, keep track of wedding gifts and thank-you cards on the same list of names and addresses used for your invitations.
5. Personalize the thank-you cards by ordering them with your monogram or with a picture from your big day on the front.

For more on wedding etiquette, click here.

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