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

You 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.

Branches Catering plays host to a number of special events, such as weddings, receptions, and more. Although our food menus are very popular, we always want to discover new foods! Recently, culinary specialist Eric Villegas came in and showed us some wonderful entrees. After all, there’s nothing better than a taste of home!

Source: Examiner

The Taste of Home Cooking School Show at Branches Catering, West Long Branch, was a huge success attended by young and old to watch Culinary Specialist Eric Villegas whip up easy, tasty dishes from the Taste of Home Cookbook. The Cooking Show was hosted by 94.3 The Point with Eric Villegas being introduced by morning anchors Lou and Liz.

VIP attendees were treated to special hors d’oeuvres prepared by Branches’ Chef Jaime Fierros and his culinary team while listening to Branches Managing Partner, John Lombardo, give tips on wine selection, tricks to uncorking and the proper way to taste a wine. Following his discussion, he raffled off select wines, as well as a wine tasting dinner for two at Branches.

Once the Cooking Show began, the ebullient Eric Villegas warmly welcomed his guests as he created Pumpkin Whoopee Pies with candied ginger and cream cheese frosting. He explained that the Taste of Home doctrine of cooking is creating easy-to-prepare dishes that are both satisfying and flavorful, many of which are replicated from traditional, comfort food recipes. According to Villegas, Taste of Home is all about “cooking, caring and sharing.” The Taste of Home Cooking School is America’s leading cooking school program, inspiring more than 300,000 passionate consumers each year at 300 events across the country.

During Villegas’ two-hour cooking demonstration, he prepared ten mouthwatering recipes. In addition to the Whoopie Pies, he made a Wisconsin BBQ Chicken Pizza in a quick countertop oven; Pulled Pork Tenderloin Sliders with whole cranberry relish and pickled onions; Chicken & Rice with Thai Curry, and a Ground Nut Stew.

As part of the Taste of Home family, which claims to be the world’s #1 source for family-favorite recipes, Culinary Specialist Villegas conducts Cooking School shows throughout the country from California to New Jersey.  “I thoroughly enjoy meeting so many enthusiastic fans of Taste of Home.  They inspire me with their love and cooking and support for our program,” exclaims Eric. “I also really enjoy the camaraderie that is built working with the local volunteers in putting together the big show.”

For the full article, click here.

This Jersey Shore catering hall has been the perfect venue for many couples from all around New Jersey. When a couple is looking to decorate in their ceremony and reception location there are a lot of factors they must keep in mind. We found these great tips to guide a bride and groom towards the perfect theme/decoration for their wedding day.

Source: 1weddingsource.com

With any wedding it is often the reception which will require the most planning and attention to detail. Your wedding reception will be the biggest party you will ever organize and as such it is important your wedding reception decoration is perfect.

When thinking about your decoration you need to take into account several factors including:

The style of your wedding
Your wedding colors
Your wedding theme
Your budget
Your venue

The style of your wedding will determine whether you have a formal reception, such as a sit down meal with several courses or a more casual reception perhaps with a buffet. Your wedding colors will provide the backdrop to your reception decoration and will determine things like table cloths, chair covers, flowers, balloons etc. Usually brides will choose a combination of two or three colors, with one of those forming the main color used throughout (often white or ivory), the remaining colors then become accent colors in the smaller details such as flowers, table centers, napkins and decorations.

If you have chosen a wedding theme then this will be the main focus of your decoration. With a wedding theme it is important to research all the small details and elements that you want to include, otherwise your theme could fall flat and be lost on your guests. Try to be true to your theme in terms of colors and design, for instance, an art deco themed wedding is usually associated with a scheme of black and white, therefore using hot pink and aqua blue would not work! Likewise a medieval wedding theme with table centers of tall martini glasses filled with crystals and feathers would look totally out of place.

Your budget will dictate everything, from the scale of your decoration to your choice of wedding favors. Make sure you set a realistic sum for your reception decorations, especially if you are having a grand wedding theme. That, said, much can be achieved by making your own decorations, including table centers, favors and hanging decorations. So if your budget is tight make sure you explore your DIY options.

Venue’s can often be the deciding factor when it comes to how your reception will look. Whilst many venues can offer a blank canvas, allowing you to decorate them however you wish, others can be rather more grandiose, meaning you will need to work your decorations around existing colors, fixtures and fittings.

The best way around this it to pick your venue with your wedding style or theme in mind. A beach wedding would obviously be at the beach, whilst a 1930’s themed wedding could take place in a ballroom or theatre. If no suitable venue can be found then your best option would be to hire a marquee and pitch it in a garden or hotel grounds. Marquee’s offer the ultimate blank canvas and many companies can offer decoration and furniture packages to suit.

For the full article with more tips click here.

Click the image for more on Eric Villegas

We’re setting you up with everything you need to make the holiday season perfectly delicious as we welcome culinary expert, Eric Villegas from the world’s #1 cooking publisher, Taste of Home.

You’ll learn 10 new recipes and helpful cooking tips you can use to become a star in your own kitchen!

The Taste of Home Cooking School will take place at Branches Catering, 123 Monmouth Road in West Long Branch on Tuesday, November 1st! Doors open
at 4pm, and the cooking school starts at 7pm!

Limited VIP tickets are $50 and include:

• Access to a private room from 5:30 - 6:30
• Catered food prepared by the team from Branches Catering
• Behind the scenes tour of the Taste of Home Cooking School back stage area
• Meet and greet and VIP demo with our Taste of Home culinary specialist, Eric Villegas
• An autographed, hardcover copy of Taste of Home Christmas Cookies & Candy. With this merry compilation, you’ll never run out of new cookie and candy recipes to try around the holidays. You get more than 200 time-tested recipes, from basic cutout cookies to decadent truffles. This cookbook has a special goodie for every Christmas gathering.

General Admission tickets are $18! Every Taste of Home Cooking School attendee at our show will receive a free one-year subscription to Taste of Home—or—Simple & Delicious magazine! Both magazines have a $24.95 retail value.

Taste of Home
Taste of Home is America’s #1 cooking magazine! Enjoy 100+ home-style recipes and tips, each a kitchen-tested family favorite made with everyday ingredients. Plus color photos of every recipe, cost-saving menus, healthy-choice dishes, casual entertaining ideas and more.

Simple & Delicious
Simple & Delicious gives you 100+ fail-proof, easy-to-fix recipes and tips that promise mouth-watering meals fast! You’ll love the helpful grocery lists and 30-minute meal ideas, plus secrets from our Test Kitchen for speedy shopping, simple storage and quick prep.

Attendees will select to receive Taste of Home OR Simple & Delicious magazine when they fill out the postcard included in the goodie bag they receive at the show!

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS!

Check out what all the hype is about!

Sponsored By:

• Confections of a Rock Star
• Dees Cakes
• DeMarco’s Catering & Gourmet Deli
• Ecological Systems
• Edible Arrangements
• Kitchen Magic
• Marron Wellness Center

Branches Catering presents: Italian Dinner at Laurita Winery

Friday, October 14th, 2011 7:00 pm featuring Laurita Wines

$24.95 plus tax and 18% gratuity
Under 21 - $21.95 plus tax and 18% gratuity

Wine will be available at a 10% discounted price

Bistro Red: The Bistro is a “fruit forward” medium bodied wine filled with aromas reminiscent of black cherries, raspberry or currents. Its broad range of bouquet, flavors and finish will sometimes confuse the taster. Its unique profi le complements many dishes as well as enjoyed simply on its own.

Norton: Rich, dark red, almost Zinfandel-like, with mixed berry flavors. It has a velvety texture with a penetrating aroma reminiscent of wines from Southern France. This is thought to be the original American grape. Organically grown, it contains twice the typical amount of health-enhancing reservatrol.

Click Here to view menu.

As wallets start to tighten across the country, your big day may start to be a real strain on your finances. Luckily with these tips from MintLife, and great deals from this Jersey Shore catering hall, your wedding doesn’t need to break the bank.

Source: Mint

You’ve decided on a date and even found the perfect place. Now what?

If you’re overwhelmed by the seemingly endless list of costs associated with the Big Day, you’re not alone. With the U.S. economic recovery still on shaky ground, brides are spending decidedly less today than they did two years ago, according to BRIDES magazine’s 2011 American Wedding Study. On average, a wedding cost $26,501 in 2011, down more than 5 percent from 2009, the last time the survey was published. Still, that’s up $8,000 from almost a decade earlier.

How can you host the wedding of your dreams without maxing out your credit cards, or, even worse, taking on more debt? Here are my top five tips on what every bride can cut back on and still host an event to remember.

Cut the Guest List

Thinking about inviting that long-lost relative? Don’t. A wedding should be an intimate gathering of the people you love and who love you back. If your wedding comes up in conversation with someone who isn’t on the guest list, simply say, “We’re keeping our celebration small by only inviting only close family and friends. I’m excited to share our wedding photos with you.” I know it’s hard to cut the list, but brides are getting the message – the average guest count dropped about 5 percent to 141 in 2010 from the previous year, according to TheKnot.com & WeddingChannel.com 2010 Real Weddings Survey. My pick for the perfect-sized wedding? 100 people; 35 if you’re hosting a destination event.

Cue the DJ

I love a great DJ! In fact, I wish I hired a DJ instead of a swing band for my wedding almost nine years ago. I would much rather hear “Bad Romance” sung by Lady Gaga than by the best impersonator any day. Plus, a DJ costs approximately one-third of what a band does, according to the TheKnot.com & WeddingChannel.com survey. Still, resist the temptation to create a playlist on your iPod — I’ve seen that strategy work exactly once.

No One Will See Your Feet

The ultimate wedding shoe? The Gigiritz, a satin peep-toe from Stewart Weitzman. But at $298, it’s a budget buster for a one-day event. And, no matter what you tell yourself, you will never wear your wedding shoes again – even if you die them black. Instead, consider slipping into some ballet flats, or, better yet, a pair of white or gold Havaianas Slims, the stylish Brazilian flip-flop you can order online for $24. Not only will you be able to spend the money you save on something else, you won’t be tempted to kick off your shoes during the reception. And you can wear them again if your honeymoon is on the beach.

Let Them Eat…Sweets

The average wedding cake costs almost $500, according to the BRIDES survey. And, let’s face it – you can’t get away with serving only cake, no matter how good it is. Better to skip the cake altogether, and, instead, roll out a dazzling display of desserts – cupcakes, petit fours, miniature ice cream cones and truffles of all flavors. I also love the idea of displaying a variety of individually wrapped sweets, including Hershey’s Miniatures, in large glass containers and inviting guests to fill up a goody bag to take home. Want to splurge a little? A full-blown Viennese table is a showstopper.

The Rest is History

Welcome baskets. Calligraphers. Ceremony programs. Wedding favors. All are needless expenses. Eliminate them. I’ve never seen a welcome basket that contained anything more useful, or creative, than a map and a bottle of water. In lieu of hiring a pricey calligrapher, invest in several $2 Marvy calligraphy pens and address the invitations yourself. Call in friends and family if you’re not up to the task, but never use computer-generated address labels or send an Evite. Regarding ceremony programs, I can’t tell you how many of the most beautiful creations I recently scooped off the floor. And, finally, there is no favor you can give your guests that will compensate them for the time and money spent attending your wedding. Show your guests how much you appreciate them by thanking each and every one personally before stepping out onto the floor for your first dance.

For the full article: click here

The Asbury Park Press is running their annual Readers Choice Contest. Branches Catering has received an award for the past 6 years in a row! Keep the tradition going and vote for Branches as Best Banquet Facility AND Best Caterer (off-site catering) for 2011!

It only takes a minute to vote. All you have to do is click here by July 31st and fill out the form. Remember to vote two times for Branches Catering under the categories Banquet/Reception Facilities and Caterer.

Thank you in advance for your support and we look forward to serving you in the future!

Branches Catering
123 Monmouth Road (Rt. 71N)
West Long Branch, NJ 07764
Toll Free (877) 316-1753
www.BranchesCatering.com

As the summer continues to heat up it can be tough to keep your cool when thinking about summer wedding ideas. Summer is a beautiful time of year to tie the knot and with simple wedding tips this Jersey Shore catering hall can help prepare you for your big day. Check out this blog post from Volumeone.org which details five simple tips to help make your New Jersey wedding memorable.

by Alyssa Schulte

It’s that time again. Summer means weddings, and if you’re in the midst of planning one, we’ve got some helpful hints for you. And they’re (relatively) inexpensive, too!

Tip #1: Go outside, man. Summer days are long, warm, and inviting. Weddings in gardens, parks, or even beaches—if you don’t mind a little sand—are ideal places for couples to say, “I do.”  (The days can also be hot, humid, and rainy, but you just have to take your chances.)

Outdoor tree aisle?

Tip #2: Choose a lighter meal. Fish can be great for the main course, plenty of fresh fruit and/or veggies, or even a barbecue if you’re celebrating outdoors. Don’t forget plenty of ice and cold beverages. And the cake! Lighter frostings and fruit fillings are perfect for summer.

Tip #3: Dress for the weather. If you’re a blushing bride and you want to remain that way (i.e. not a sweating bridezilla), sleeveless dresses are ideal, preferably in a lighter fabric. If you’re the hunky groom, keep it light and classic. And stay away from the heavy black blazer.

Tip #4: Treat your guests with wedding favors they can use. For example, on a hot summer day, lovely fans or paper parasols are unique and appreciated.

Tip #5: Be creative and make your wedding uniquely you. (A tip for all seasons, I suppose.)

For the full article: click here

When planning your big wedding ceremony and reception, consider these great ideas for edible wedding favors from yumsugar. Let Branches Catering help make your Jersey Shore wedding memorable for both the bride and groom and the guests as well with these simple tips to add a personal touch to the table.

By: Katie Sweeney

The days of the useless tchotchke wedding favor are over. Modern brides are opting to give guests something they can enjoy and in many cases, something they can eat! If you’ve got plenty of time, consider giving a homemade treat. Cookies, truffles, chocolate-covered nuts, and savory crackers are delicious options. However, busy brides can offer an edible gift that’s personal, but not homemade. Here are 10 scrumptious ideas.

1. Honey. A small jar of local artisan honey will last a long time. Guests can use it (and remember your wedding) weeks after the ceremony.
2. Spice rub. Do you and your husband-to-be love barbecue? Select a favorite spice rub and make your own labels. It’s a great favor for Summer weddings because guests can use it immediately.
3. Pickles. Pickled vegetables, like jalapeños or carrots, are also great options.

Keep reading for the rest of my suggestions!

1. Herb pot. Select your preferred herb (parsley, rosemary, thyme, basil, etc.) and plant in a miniature pot. Guests can transfer it to a larger vessel as it grows.


Try honey as a great edible wedding favor!

2. Jam. Jam comes in countless flavors, so choose one that goes with the theme of your wedding. Getting married in the Caribbean? Give pineapple jam. A mountain wedding brings to mind blackberry jam, while a country-theme calls for strawberry.
3. Olive oil. Although a small bottle of olive oil is on the pricier side of favors, if you’re hosting an intimate wedding with a smaller guest list, it’s an incredibly useful gift.
4. Maple syrup. The ideal gift for the couple that loves breakfast.
5. A perfect piece of fruit. A single apple, peach, or pear is a simple gift, but one that will be appreciated.
6. Tea. Offer a variety of tea bag flavors and let guests pick their favorite.
7. Dark chocolate bars. Who doesn’t love a good chunk of chocolate?

By: Katie Sweeney

Branches has added a new feature to our website that lists couples who have upcoming beach wedding ceremonies and the information for their upcoming nuptials. Couples can now let their guests know to check the Branches website for more information about where and when their beach ceremony will be taking place. Couples and guests can check the homepage of branchescatering.com or can check here.