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Tricks Of The Trade: RSVP Catering

We've decided to start featuring some of our favorite vendors to dish out advice about their particular areas of expertise. Today we're thrilled to welcome our dear friends from RSVP Catering, one of the premiere catering companies here in DC!

Choosing a caterer can feel like a daunting task-- especially because most couples believe that good food is an integral part of throwing a great party [and we wholeheartedly agree!]. Here are some tips from RSVP on how to embark on the search for the perfect caterer for your big day!

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Follow the buzz. Have you been to a great party lately? That’s the best place to start when you’re thinking of hiring a caterer. Find out who the caterer was; you’ll find that the hostess will be flattered that you noticed and will gladly share the information. If you were impressed, that caterer will most likely impress your guests too. Chatting with other vendors can be helpful, too-- event coordinators, florists, photographers and musicians on the local circuit are also good sources for finding out who are good caterers in your area. They’ve been “up close and personal” at a lot of events and see caterers in action.

Do a little research. Find out how long the catering company you’re interested in has been in business to make sure they have a good track record. Businesses with staying power are those who are proven to be reliable and professional. They will also have well trained staff. Make sure the caterer has a business license and a liquor license. Go on to the caterer’s website to find out if the catering company has done events similar to yours. Look at sample menus. You will quickly get an idea of the kinds of foods the caterer offers. Look at the photos: a picture is worth a thousand words!


Chat with the caterer over the phone. Have some facts on hand so both you and the caterer know whether you can work together: the nature of your event, date and time, approximately how many guests you will have, where the event will be held, the style of the event, whether you will have wine and liquor, and what kind of budget you have in mind. Also ask if the caterer can create any special menus, perhaps featuring all-natural, local and/or organic products. See if the caterer is comfortable with vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free requests. If all those questions are answered to your satisfaction, ask the caterer for two references and be prepared to set up a time to meet with the caterer.

A huge thanks to the folks at RSVP Catering for this sound advice! We can't speak highly enough about the RSVP team, so be sure to check them out if you're getting married in the DC area. We''ll certainly be welcoming them back to share more fabulous advice in the future!

[Photos provided by RSVP Catering]

Web Surfing Wednesday

We hope that thoughts of the upcoming holiday weekend is making the week fly by for you all! Since you're bound to be throwing [or at the very least, attending] some Independence Day festivities, we thought we'd share some great Fourth of July printables and DIY projects from around the web.

Adorable vintage-inspired flags and labels via The Sweetest Occasion...

DIY firework drink stirrers via Hostess with the Mostess...

Festive six-pack caddy [perfect for BBQ condiments or to dress up the beer you're bringing to your host] from Design*Sponge...

Charming little ribbon flags atop homemade berry shortcakes via Style Me Pretty...

What are your plans this fabulous Fourth of July weekend?

Gaga For Garters

Throwing garters is said to be one of the oldest wedding traditions. Apparently, ages ago, it was customary for wedding guests to accompany the bride and groom into the room where they'd be spending their first night as husband and wife, and that capturing the garter from the bride as "proof" of the consummation of marriage was considered lucky! We're certainly glad the tradition has become a bit less privacy invasive over the years, and though some consider it a bit cheesy, tons of couples still participate in a rousing game off tossing the garter to the groomsmen for good luck [a fun way to counter the bouquet toss].

Whether or not you decide the traditional bouquet-and-garter-toss is right for your wedding day, we think a garter can be a really special memento from the occasion-- and these stunning photographs prove that garters can make for awesome [far from cheesy!] detail shots!

[Photo credits: 1 via Green Wedding Shoes, 2 via Elizabeth Anne Desgins, 3 via Brooklyn Bride, 4 via The Garter Girl, 5 via Dandelion & Grey]

 

Gown Silhouette 101

Let's face it-- wedding gown shopping can be quite the challenge. At Hitched, we are in full support of coming into the process without too many preconceived notions, but we have found that many brides find it helpful to have a bit of a sense of what they're looking for when they begin the search.

We spotted this awesome post that Tram from Phi-Style wrote for Brooklyn Bride awile back that provides a bit of education about gown silhouettes-- a great way to get started when it comes to describing the type of dress you're looking for to your bridal consultant.

Tram explains the different silhouettes and provides tips about how to figure out what gowns might suit your figure best. Again, it is good to be open minded when you begin the process [one designer's fit-to-flare A-line/princess cut is another designer's mermaid], but it certainly helps to be able to describe what you like once you start to narrow things down... and we think that the post provides a quick and easy rundown of the many shapes and styles you'll find during your wedding gown search.

Are you finding that all of the variety when it comes to wedding gown silhouettes is overwhelming, or have additional questions? Leave us a comment and we'll be happy to help make your shopping process as seamless as possible [no pun intended!].

[Image via Brooklyn Bride]

 

Friday Freebie: Tickets To Mamma Mia! At Wolf Trap

Congratulations to last week's winner, Stacey, who will receive the custom rubber stamp set from Meant to Be Calligraphy!

We've got such a fun Friday Freebie this week! One lucky reader will win a pair of tickets to see the hit broadway musical Mamma Mia! [which spawned the critically acclaimed movie starring Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried] at Wolf Trap-- one of the most spectacular performance venues in the DC area!

If you've never seen Mamma Mia!, you are in for a real treat. Featuring the fun and upbeat tunes of ABBA, the musical is a story of romance, chaos, and family. It's funny, it's uplifting, and there's a wedding involved-- all things we love! Combine this awesome show with the grand outdoor ambience that Wolf Trap provides, and you've got the perfect summer excursion.

The winner of this Friday Freebie will receive two house tickets to their choice of the following Mamma Mia! performances: 8pm on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday [June 30-July 3], or 2pm on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday [July 1-3]. To enter to win this fabulous prize, simply leave us a comment below that tells us who you'd invite to the performance and why [a bridesmaid? your mom? your honey?]. We can't wait to hear from you!

[For more information about Mamma Mia! or to purchase tickets, please visit the Wolf Trap website]

 

Aww, Honey Honey

For a super sweet touch, we love the idea of incorporating little jars of honey into your wedding day decor. Whether as unique placecards that double as a favors, or just as a treat for your guests to take away at the end of the night, adding DIY touches to miniature honey jars or bottles makes them both pretty and personal.

[Photo Credits: 1-4 via Style Me Pretty, 5 via The Sweetest Occasion, 6&7 via Ruffled]