The year is almost over and 2012 is just around the corner. If you’re planning a 2012 wedding ceremony you may want to take a peek at the Wedding Dress Trends for 2012! These trends might be what’s popular now (or popular again!) but you still have to find the dress that suits you best. Remember, your wedding day should be the most magical day for you and your future husband, make sure you’re walking down the aisle feeling comfortable and confident!

Source: Brides.com

The Trend: Illusion Necklines

We saw lots of unique necklines this season, but “most spotted” goes to the illusion style, in which a sheer, delicate, and often embellished layer of fabric veils skin that would otherwise be exposed. (Think of illusion as “strapless, with coverage,” noting its power to transform a sassy, “look at my boobs” situation into something soft, elegant, and romantic.)

Gown by: Carolina Herrera

Click here for more wedding dresses with illusion necklines.

The Trend: Two-Tiered Skirts

Last season in skirts, three-dimensional florals hit critical mass. This season, designers focused on hemlines, creating skirts with two distinct tiers. Call it an exaggerated form of the peplum detail from previous seasons, and this time, it’s superflattering—the top tier is a genius way to camouflage wider hips.

Gown by Christos

The Trend: Horsehair Trim

Don’t worry, animal rights activists, horsehair does not come from our equine friends; it’s a synthetic fabric often used on the underskirts of gowns to create a cleaner shape and a crisper hemline. Continuing with the trend of turning dresses inside-out (see last season’s corsets), designers are now exposing this underlay fabrication, either as a visible hemline treatment or a lavishly looped sash or bodice detail. It works to create incredible volume and dimension on ballgowns and also provides a unique, frothy-yet-modern textural element.

Gown by Vera Wang

The Trend: Blush

Wearing a wedding gown in a non-white or ivory hue was, until recently, considered a pretty radical move. Then, a few seasons ago, we began seeing subtle pops of color—from the faintest hint of silver or lilac to bright lettuce green—but color was still the exception rather than the rule. This season, however, blush and pink shades appeared on dozens of runways, marking its official debut as an expected—not quirky—wedding gown hue. Perhaps this has something to do with Reese Witherspoon’s blush Monique Lhuillier wedding gown. If Reese, a paean to traditional, conservative dressing, chooses pink, it’s clearly time to give it a try.

Gown by Wtoo Brides

Click here for more blush wedding dresses.

The Trend: Lace Sleeves

Since April bridal market fell just a few weeks before the Royal Wedding, several designers were inspired by Kate Middleton and what she might wear. For a great majority, this meant lace sleeves—a sleeker, more contemporary version of the voluminous sleeves that engulfed the young Princess Diana so many years ago. Turns out the recently dubbed Duchess of Cambridge did end up wearing lace sleeves to her wedding, and it’s only a matter of time before this regal look catches on in a big way. We can’t wait.

Gown by Legends by Romona Keveza

To see more pictures of these trends straight from the runway click here.

To learn more about Branches Catering visit our website or contact us.

When you get caught up in planning your wedding it’s easy to forget the importance of the first thing you’re going to share as a married couple, a kiss! HuffPost Weddings gives some tips on how to make sure this moment is perfect and far from awkward in a room full of people. Whether it’s at a beach ceremony, in a garden setting or at  a winery let Branches be part of this magical moment.

Source: Huffington Post

“You may kiss the bride.”

We have all heard that phrase hundreds of times. In fact, I have spoken it hundreds of times, or something close to it, such as: “Please share your first kiss as a married couple,” “Seal it with a kiss” or “You may now smooch!”

But a kiss is not just a kiss in every culture. Shows of affection and wedding kisses vary around the world. Some families are more reserved than others, and it may influence the way you and your beloved show affection at the end of your wedding ceremony.

For example, while it is common in the west for the father of the bride to kiss his daughter the day of the wedding after he escorts her down the aisle, that gesture would be awkward or unheard of to Chinese or Korean dads and with parents from any culture where public affection is not common. On the other hand, I’ve seen Jewish fathers kiss their sons or new son-in-laws on the lips, British families kiss on both cheeks, and Slavic wedding guests kiss three times on alternating cheeks.

I have also seen every kiss and act of affection imaginable between bride and groom at the altar: A peck on the cheek, a hug, a fist bump, a long kiss on the lips, a series if kisses on the mouth, a full open-mouth tongue kiss, affectionate kissing through tears of joy, and kissing so passionately that friends and loved ones scream, “get a room.”

As much as we like to think of kissing as spontaneous, you would be surprised how much thought some brides put into the kiss. Having to contend with make-up, big dresses with trains, shyness, performance anxiety, and possibly conservative relatives, there is often talk in our consultations of how they will kiss and for how long.

Every culture has its feelings about kissing, and individuals have their preferences about public smooching as well, so it is something to be aware of on your wedding day. To avoid a kiss that turns out stressful or awkward, come up with a comfortable way to kiss at the wedding altar. Make sure you have fun practicing!

1. Consider your own level of comfort with public affection. If this is not something you or your mate are used to, you can do a very small, brief kiss just to seal your ceremony. I have married more than one bride who kissed her beloved on the cheek at the end of the ceremony, and that was just about as much that either one of them could handle.

2. Think about your family traditions. Are mom and dad affectionate with one another in public? Will seeing a big, wet wedding kiss make your grandmother faint? Does your family clank wine glasses with spoons or ring bells demanding that you kiss? What is the typical wedding kiss like in the culture you both hail from? Some couples adapt their kiss to the comfort level of the family.

3. Is one of you a bigger kisser than the other? Some couples don’t see eye to eye about kissing at the wedding. She wants a big smooch; he thinks it is disrespectful, and so on. It is good to get a sense of which way things will go on the big day, before the big day. Hell hath no furry like a woman whose lipstick has been kissed off before the photos are taken of the couple walking back up the aisle.

4. Go For It. When everything is said and done, it is your wedding and you can kiss any way you choose. There is no right or wrong way to kiss on your wedding day. Like anything else in the ceremony, having a sense of how you would like to kiss and be kissed can relieve any “performance” pressure.

The kiss is meant to be a joyous exclamation mark that brings the ceremony to happy close. It is a romantic way to transition from the end of the ceremony to the beginning or married life. It is also a moment to relax as you acknowledge: “The ceremony is over … and, yay, we’re married.”

To read the full article, click here.

When you’re getting married, any time of the year is perfect. Each season offers different benefits and adds beauty in it’s own way. Chiff.com has some tips for brides-to-be for planning a fabulous fall wedding. Check out Branches Catering and newest venue, Laurita Winery for wedding locations and packages.

Source: Chiff.com

Getting married when autumn color is at its most vibrant?

There’s no better time, in fact, when the planet seems to blaze a trail of warm fall colors in celebration!

As the trees begin to combine green with brilliant reds, yellows and oranges (in northern climes, especially), many brides take the cue from Mother Nature and incorporate these vivid colors into their fall wedding themes.

Popular fall wedding colors

Rich browns, cream, terra cotta, eggplant purple or cobalt blue are included into the fall color palatte so popular with modern brides.

Although spring and summer are usually the best time for flowers, fall is no exception. The season offers a rich variety of nature’s bounty including multi-colored mums, carnations, freesias, and other flowers paired along with bright fall foliage.

Deep red roses have also become popular at fall weddings and blend in beautifully with other darker hues. Cornucopias fit the bill for decorative accents along with baskets brimming with colorful gourds, apples and pomegranates.

Fall wedding venues

If you’re lucky enough to live up north, you can plan the ceremony and/or the reception around a location that takes natural advantage of brilliant fall colors.

Consider a local winery, a cozy bed & breakfast, an orchard or a country lodge. Early autumn also lends itself nicely to an outdoor ceremony in a gazebo, botanical garden or near a lakeside park setting. Again, depending on your location, wrap up your wedding with a breathtakingly beautiful fall foliage tour honeymoon.

Favorite fall flowers

Allium, Anemone, Baby’s Breath, Carnations, Chrysanthemums, Cockscomb, Freesia, Gladiolus,Iris, Gloriosa Lily, Orchids, Queen Ann’s Lace, Statice, Star of Bethlehem, Sunflowers, Zinnias.

Fall wedding favors

In keeping with the season, small jars of jam or preserves make flavorful favors for your guests to bring home and enjoy. Also think about fall colored candles, or autumn spice cookies wrapped in a ribbon of country calico. Small potted yellow mums make for a special ‘thank you’, as well, wrapped in colorful paper tied together with elegant gold ribbons.

For the full article click here.

Preparing for your big day can be confusing and stressful, and nobody knows that more than newlywed Vanessa Minnillo. Thankfully, she’s posted her top 10 tips for those brides-to-be  to make the wedding both memorable, and stress-free! When you’re done, make sure to check out what Branches NJ Catering Hall can do do help make the wedding of your dreams a reality, either at our hall, or somewhere beautiful off-site.

Source: She Knows

Vanessa Minnillo has married the man of her dreams. In the process of getting hitched to Nick Lachey, the 30-year-old learned a thing or two about being a bride and the wedding planning process. Here are Vanessa Minnillo’s top 10 tips for other brides!

Vanessa Minnillo, whose big day was featured on TLC’s Nick & Vanessa’s Dream Wedding, writes on her Twitter page:

Tip 1: Try on different styles of dresses. Even if u know what u want, it may surprise u. Go for it all & be girly! Most importantly, HAVE FUN

Tip 2: I Love a “little” splash of color! I had a beautiful bouquet of gloriosa’s, BUT I didn’t put my matron of honor in a fuchsia dress

Tip 3: Listen to your groom & have elements of what “he” wants in the Wedding. After all, it’s both of your day. Nick had great suggestions.

Tip 4: A welcome bag w/”personalized” goodies is always nice! We did beach towels w/their names embroidered, & all the beach essentials.

Tip 5: Make sure to take time before the wedding & spend it with ur fiancee. A night with a glass of wine, or a weekend away. #QualityTime

Tip 6: To save money: use venue’s place settings & glassware, but we brought in our personalized linens and chargers for a more custom feel.

Tip 7:If you can, have multi-photographers. We loved Yitzhak Dalal, & he brought 2 others w/him. There’s always more than one angle u want!

Tip 8: Consider weather when planning an outdoor ceremony. The ONE thing I regret is we didn’t have fans or a.c. at the ceremony. #sweating

Tip 9: Do something special for ur fiancee b4 the ceremony, a gift, &/or a hand written card. Let them know how u feel & that u Love them!

Tip 10: HAVE FUN! Once it’s the day of, try ur hardest not to let ANYTHING get in the way. You’ll regret it if u obsess about small stuff!

*Tip 11: Secure a wedding sponsor or three and air your nuptials on television to help off-set the cost of your dream day.

*We kid, we kid!

Congratulations to Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo on their gorgeous wedding!

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

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

Finding the perfect wedding dress can be overwhelming for any bride. We found these tips and tricks to be very helpful while on the search. Once you’re not worried about the dress more time can be focused on finding the perfect wedding venue!

Source: weddings.about.com

One of the biggest decisions you will face as the big day approaches is choosing the perfect wedding dress. The process of shopping for a wedding dress can be a fabulous adventure, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming–particularly because a bride-to-be often starts shopping for her gown before many other details are determined.

You might have had a clear mental picture of the perfect wedding dress ever since you were five years old. On the other hand, you may have no idea what you are going to wear or feel strange about the idea of wearing white. The important thing is to relax, and remember that there are as many different kinds of dresses out there as there are different kinds of brides.

When to Start Shopping for Your Wedding Dress

Give yourself ample time to plan- generally the rule of thumb is that you need to order your gown at least six months before your wedding. So you should ideally start shopping for your gown nine months or more before your wedding. (If you don’t have this much time, it’s okay, just budget for some rush charges).

Plan Ahead

Take a few minutes to think about what you want. It will be helpful when you enter the maze of wedding dresses out there to know what your budget is, any details that are essential (i.e. I must have a full skirt, or my arms must be covered), and an idea of how traditional you want your dress to be. After all, if really a teal pantsuit would work best for you, it’s probably not worth your time to sort through racks of flouncy white gowns.

Be Comfortable!

On your wedding day, you’ll want to look great, but you’ll also want to be comfortable- it will be hard to dance and laugh (not to mention posing for all those pictures) if you’re tugging your dress up or have boning jutting into your ribs.

First- consider which wedding dress is most appropriate to your day – for example, consider a shorter tea-length or cocktail length dress for a beach wedding. If you’re the type who likes to dance with her hands in the air, and anticipates doing the limbo, perhaps a strapless dress is not the one for you. Look for wedding dresses with removable sleeves or straps to give you the widest range of options.

A Dress that Fits Your Body Well

Think about your body type and what kinds of dresses generally look good on you. Take a look at what you regularly wear that makes you feel confident and beautiful, and then look for a wedding dress with similar lines. If a friend is making your wedding dress, ensure that you have agreed on a fitting schedule and chances to make adjustments. If you’re looking for a bargain at a sample sale, or discount outlet, you should budget money for taking the dress to a good tailor. Many designers will ask for three fittings, and will closely tailor your wedding dress to fit you.

Saving Money on Your Wedding Dress

If money is an issue, remember that the most expensive kind of dress is not necessarily the best kind. Many brides find a bridesmaids dress in white or off-white that works perfectly, and is hundreds of dollars cheaper. There are thousands of dresses to be had at sample sales, thrift stores, and ebay. Consider taking pictures from magazines to a friend who sews or seamstress and getting a price quote. If you choose to make your own dress, don’t delay. The sooner you finish it, the sooner you’ll be able to attend to the many other details of your wedding.

Most of all, remember this is your wedding day. Wear whatever makes you comfortable and feels like you. And have fun shopping for your wedding dress. It should be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Source: weddings.about.com

The royal wedding is only a few weeks away and to celebrate the biggest nuptials of the year TLC is hosting a viewing party in Times Square. There will be live coverage of the most anticipated wedding of the decade as well as a live performance by Colbie Calliat.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Colbie Caillat will perform, “What Not to Wear’s” Clinton Kelly and “Say Yes to the Dress’” Randy Fenoli and Monte Durham will host.

TLC is taking over New York City’s Times Square on April 29 to celebrate Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding.

After airing 89 hours of coverage, the network will send Say Yes to the Dress’ Randy Fenoli to host a live broadcast of the nuptials and pre-show, which will be broadcast on two giant digital billboards.

Grammy-winner Colbie Caillat will perform her new song “I Do.”

What Not to Wear’s Clinton Kelly, Say Yes to the Dress’ Monte Durham will broadcast live from London.

The live televised portion will be produced by ITV Studios America.

“Since so many of us in the US are caught up in the excitement of William and Kate’s wedding, we thought we would bring some of the festivities and live coverage across the pond to the hometown of TLC’s hit wedding series Say Yes to the Dress,” says Tom Carr, the net’s SVP of marketing in a statement. “And if you’re going to celebrate the biggest wedding of the decade in NY, there is no better place to do it than in Times Square.”

“This is without question the most widely anticipated wedding in a generation,” adds ITV Studios America president and CEO Paul Buccieri.  “We couldn’t be happier continuing our relationship with TLC on this exciting live event”.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

We love Michael Bublé and his wife looked gorgeous this past weekend at their wedding in Buenos Aires. She donned three dresses over the course of the weekend wedding festivities (we loved the Marchesa creation the best!) and Christian Louboutin heels. Her picks would be great for any beach wedding or even at an outdoor waterfall garden.

Source: People StyleWatch

Michael Bublé, his new bride and two of her three dresses.

They say good things come in threes, which mus really be the case for Michael Bublé’s new wife, Luisana Loreley Lopilato de la Torre, who donned a trio of dresses for the couple’s two weekend wedding ceremonies! For their civil ceremony in Buenos Aires on Thursday, the 23-year-old Argentine TV star wore a flowing violet dress with crystal details. Then on Saturday, the festivities continued with a religious ceremony and reception in the capital city, where 300 guests gathered to celebrate at private mansion Villa Maria Paz, a source tells PEOPLE. Lopilato’s father Eduardo, visibly moved, accompanied his daughter down the aisle as she glowed in a dress created by Argentinean designer Sylvie Burstin. The gown featured a satin bodice with a plunging neckline, plus a feminine, tiered skirt, made up of layers of tulle and ribbons with silk thread embroidery. She topped the look off with Christian Louboutin heels. Following the ceremony, the couple joined revelers in a spacious tent for the reception, where the newlyweds danced to Dean Martin’s “Everybody Loves Somebody.” South American singer Ricardo Montaner got the crowd moving with his hit, “Soy Feliz,” and not to be outdone, Bublé performed “Haven’t Met You Yet,” which he dedicated to his bride. Halfway through the party, Lopilato changed into a silk chiffon v-neck Marchesa creation (sketch above), with a delicate embroidered waist and detailing at the shoulders. “The wedding was unbelievably joyous,” the source tells PEOPLE. “Crazy dancing until six o’clock in the morning. [The] bride and groom and families and friends had a phenomenal time.” And it hasn’t ended yet: having finally found each other, the couple wants to keep the celebration going. The newlyweds are expected to have another reception in Vancouver, Canada — not far from Bublé’s hometown of Burnaby — in May.

Source: People StyleWatch