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.

For the full article: click here

Congratulations to Andrea & Aaron who were married here at Branches on May 7, 2010! Wishing you the best!

Photos by Ash Imagery

Photos by Ash Imagery

For more photos from this beautiful outdoor wedding at Branches please click here.

Thank you to Ash Imagery for the phenomenal photography.

Special thanks to Aaron & Andrea for choosing Branches as their wedding venue destination! May you have many wonderful years together and a happy and healthy marriage!

The Weather could not have been better for their ceremony in the garden. Congratulations Becky & Steve!

Author: Margaret Morgan, Shore Region Food Examiner
Date: May 10, 2010

Branches’ Executive Chef, Jaime Fierros,  prepared an outstanding array of dishes to pair with inocente Platinum Tequila cocktails. The cocktail hour was a festive and colorful presentation of cactus salad, home-made chips with three salsas of varying heat, sweet potato tamale with Bobby Flay’s New Mexican rubbed pork tenderloin, guacamole and a refried bean hummus ~ all served in colorful Mexican pottery. Tequila cocktails were light and infused with fruit flavors.

The Metropolis cocktail, made with inocente, white cranberry juice and Rose’s Lime Juice garnished with frozen cranberries was the hit drink of the evening. It was paired with a tequila and lime-marinated shrimp and scallop gazpacho strikingly served in a martini glass.

Chef Fierros’ watermelon and jicama salad was artfully arranged in a huge serpentine taco. The char-grilled beef skirt steak entree was gently rubbed with a blend of ginger and cilantro and the piece de resistance was the avocado-lime cheesecake topped with a Mexican vanilla scented sabayon and a chocolate nacho juxtaposed on the slice of cheesecake. The presentation of each course was an awesome exhibition of artistry by Chef Fierros and his staff.

The centerpiece on each table was the beautiful blue hand-blown glass inocente bottle serving as a vase for a dramatic tall-stemmed lily.

To view the slideshow for a wonderful - and mouthwatering - visual presentation, click here.

-Thank you for the wonderful review Margaret! Sincerely, all of us at Branches!

Join us on Sunday, May 9th, as we celebrate Mother’s Day with a beautiful brunch from 10:00am - 2:00pm!

Enjoy a complimentary mimosa as well as a complimentary family portrait! A perfect gift for mom on her day of celebration!

Price: $37.50 for adults.
$19.50 for children (ages 3-12).
Full Bar Available.

Reservations are appreciated. Contact Branches for more info.

For more details and the Full Brunch Menu, click here !

Don’t Miss Breakfast with the Easter Bunny!!!
This Saturday, March 27, 2010 - Call To make Reservations!!

Branches is excited to have Jean Hoefliger, one of Alpha Omega’s Extraordinary Winemakers here on Wed March 17, 2010 for an exclusive Wine Dinner. Alpha Omega have made their Napa Valley selections among the most sought after wines and are consistently rated between 90-95 by Wine Spectator. Don’t Miss this Special Event!

On Saturday, November 14th 2009, The Boys and Girls Club hosted their Annual Fall Gala Fundraiser at Branches. The event honored Harry A. Bade, III, M.D. of Professional Orthopedic Associates, Tinton Falls. He and his physician partners are part of a team of orthopedic physicians to area schools including Red Bank Regional High School.

The evenings was kicked off with a cocktail hour featured the esteemed Jazz singer, Chelsea Palermo accompanied by the highly revered pianist David Nunuez. Between Chealsea’s elegant voice and David’s phenomenal energy, the performances truly shocked and awed the guests.

The turnout for the event was an outstanding 275 guests! Some silent auction donors included: America’s Cup, Basil T’s, Capital Lighting, Cheese on Main, Costco, Count Basie Theatre, Fins, Il Pavone, Imagine Studio, Meridian, Sicles Market, Two River Theatre Company, and much more!

Co-host of the 82nd Oscar Awards in 2010

Saturday, November 21, 2009
8:00 pm at Two River Theater

“VIP Reception for Premium Ticket holders with Alec Baldwin
by Branches “Off the Branch” Catering”

In a rare personal appearance, Alec Baldwin will speak informally and answer questions about his extensive career as a stage, film and television actor. Currently starring with Tina Fey on NBC’s award winning “30 Rock,” Baldwin has received three SAG awards, two Golden Globes, the Television Critics Award and the 2008 and 2009 Emmy awards for best actor in a comedy series.

General Admission Tickets starting at $50.
Premium Tickets, which include special seating and an exclusive
VIP reception with Alec Baldwin, starting at $250.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the work of the Junior League of Monmouth County, celebrating 70 years of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effect action and leadership of trained volunteers.

For more information about the JLMC call 732.842.2039 or click here.

To view the flyer for this event, click here.

Scrumptious hors d’oeuvres, enjoyable entrees, and delicious drinks – Branches knows how to satisfy your taste buds. Along with their fabulous food and excellent catering reputation, they can take any regular menu items and customize them to your liking!

In this case, Branches catered an event at Monmouth Hills, WaterWitch Club. There, they highlighted food items with an Autumn Twist:

- Sparkling Apple and/or Pear Champagne
- Fall Crudité basket with Cranberry-Horseradish dip
- Demitasse shooters of Butternut Squash Soup
- Crisp Sweet Potatoes with Lemongrass Crème Fraiche dip
- Zucchini Polenta with sweet sausage and fennel
- Pecan and Graham cracker encrusted Boston Cod
- Cheese Ravioli with a Diced Pumpkin, Cranberries and Pignoli Crème sauce
- Assorted Greens with Raisin, Walnuts, edible flowers, diced pears and Craisin Vinaigrette
- Roast Turkey, glazed with apple butter and mustard, served with Roasted pumpkin and cranberry-orange relish