Planning a wedding is not easy. It involves a lot of responsibility and patience. Choosing a wedding venue is as important as planning for other things. If you still haven’t decided on the wedding venue, then here are a few tips to help you choose one.

10 Tips for Choosing a Wedding Venue

* Once you have decided to get married, you would have to consider whether you would want to have a summer wedding or a winter wedding.
* It could be possible that you may choose a place that you already have in mind or choose a venue along the countryside for its beautiful scene.
* Once you finalize the venue, find out if they have a wedding planner so that you can take care of other preparations.
* It is always good to book the venue in advance so that you get the date. In case the wedding is not in the church but elsewhere then you can easily get a venue of your choice.
* Again, choosing a venue would depend on the number of guests you are expecting. The more number of guests, the bigger the venue and the smaller the number a compact venue would be appropriate.
* If you decide the wedding at the venue, then you need to find out if the place is licensed for weddings.
* Wedding menu is an important part of a wedding preparation, therefore you’ll have to find out if the venue could take care of the wedding menu.
* Select a wedding venue with an open space and which could create a perfect ambiance for an awesome wedding photo shoot.
* When deciding on the venue, also make sure that there are enough rooms for your guests. So, be a good host by selecting a place that is comfortable and convenient.
* Balance things out by not over spending on just the wedding menu. Things have to be planned in such a way that equal importance is given to other preparations.

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Centrally-located near the Long Branch Jersey Shore, Branches features an elegant outdoor waterfall garden, spacious bridal suite, and the endorsement of many couples as The Perfect Place for your wedding. WeddingWire.com brides have selected Branches in the top 5% of facilities nationwide, and the Asbury Park Press reader’s poll has voted Branches as Best Catering every year since 2006.

Log on to the award-winning website www.BranchesCatering.com for more details or call toll-free 877-316-1753.

 

Imagine having a Mr. Softee truck just for you and your wedding guests! Vanilla…Chocolate…Sprinkles….Your choice!

Robyn and Andrew got married on a beautiful June day and treated their guests as they were leaving to delicious ice cream cones right off the Mr. Softee truck.  What a sweet and refreshing ending to an amazing day!  Congratulations Robyn and Andrew!

For more photos, Please visit Jeri Houseworth’s Blog!

http://jerihouseworthphotography.com/blog/2010/06/6-5-2010-robyn-andrew/

A bar or bat mitzvah is a very important celebration Jewish families. The occasion is the start “adulthood” and an initiation as full-pledged members of their community. This event usually is accompanied by a wonderful party. But just like a wedding or birthday party, planning this affair can be stressful. But, with the guidelines below paired with a bat or bar mitzvah gift, your son or daughter will surely treasure this special moment forever.

Plan early

As much as possible, plan the party 6 months or even 1 to 3 years in advance. This will give you and your child ample time to prepare what is needed, like scriptures or Tosha study and deciding every party detail. Starting early ensures you that the event will be flawless when the day finally arrives.

Set the date

Decide what time and date the ceremony and party will be held. Check with your calendar and rabbi of your congregation to see if your planned date falls on a holiday or another religious affair. If so, you will have to set another time and date that is better. When you find a suitable date, book it!

Decide on the budget

All the party preparations including the caterer, number of guests, venue, and so on, relies on the budget. The first thing to do when deciding the party’s budget is to count how many guests are invited. Everything else will follow. This essentially means that the more guests you’re inviting, the more money you will have to have for food, party favors, decorations, etc.

Choose the venue

The temple, hotel, restaurant, garden, or at home are examples of very nice venues where the ceremony and party can be held. Just make sure that all your guests will be well-accommodated. You may also choose two venues, one for the ceremony and the other for the party.

Plan what food and beverages to serve

The food and beverages to be served at the party relies not only on the budget and number of guests attending, but also on the time of day the party will be held. Full-meals can be served when the party is scheduled during the lunch or dinner hours. Finger foods can be served during non-typical meal times and can be excellent food choices for younger kids. You can also add a juice, cocktail, or alcoholic beverages bar.

Decorate and apply themes

Decorations and themes make the venue inviting and lively for the guests. These two may not be necessary, but can be added to the party if the child wishes to. When applying themes, it is best that you consider your child’s interests.

Entertain the guests

To keep guests from being bored, add music, parlor games, or other similar things. You can either hire a DJ or band for music plus some disco lights. Then certainly you’re guests will be dancing in no time.

Give invitations and keepsakes

To keep it formal, you can send invitations to your guests. And also remember to give them a special token as a remembrance of the occasion.

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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.

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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!

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!

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 !