RSVP

Tailgating + Football Fare

Tuesday, October 4th, 2011

It is officially fall and for a lot of us that means football season. Whether you will be “tailgating” at the stadium with your favorite team or with friends in the comfort of your own home, football is a great excuse to entertain.   The focal point of a great tailgate is most often the wonderful spread of sinfully delicious food. Tailgating dishes that are easy to eat and flavor packed are sure to score big with your guests.  This season instead of the same old burgers + brats try snazzing it up with a spin on these all time favorites.

For the ultimate tailgate in which you will be able to enjoy the game as much as the food, RSVP offers an array of budget friendly and delicious options that will have you and your guests cheering until the last quarter!

Brava! Women in Business Achievement Awards

Monday, August 8th, 2011

We are excited to share with you the outcome of Smart CEO’s Brava! Women in Business Achievement Awards.

The award ceremony was held in late July at the lavish National Museum of Women in the Arts. This venue, with its history of exclusively recognizing women in the arts, set the perfect tone for celebrating the exemplary leadership of the local business women receiving the 2011 Brava! Award.

While the ballroom of the NMWA made the event the grand affair it was, the color palette of soft greens, whites and violets evoked the feeling of a charming spring soiree. The beautiful floral arrangements of purple hydrangea, white roses and green accents brightened the space.

At the start of the event guests were greeted with their choice of white wine or sparkling water. Once the guests thirsts were quenched, scrumptious hors d’oeuvres, including Korean barbecue chicken tacos, tenderloin crostini and lamb + hazelnut baklava were butlered throughout the ballroom.

Guests also had the option of visiting a Chef Manned Naked Ravioli Station where our chef served either Gnudi Mushroom Ricotta Ravioli or Spinach Ricotta Ravioli. Other stations, including a Fruit & Cheese and Portofino Display, and a deconstructed summer mesquite grill display, were also stationed throughout the venue.  Finally after guests had gotten their fill the award ceremony began.

Thank you Smart CEO for giving us the opportunity to help celebrate the amazing Brava! Award Winners. Congratulations and Brava! to all.

Special thanks to Rachel of Rachel Smith Photography for sharing these pictures with us!

Star Spangled BBQ

Friday, July 1st, 2011

It’s time to fire up your grill, round up the troops, and break out your red, white, & blue. The Fourth of July is upon us! We thought we would send you into the holiday weekend with some inspiration for your backyard BBQ.

This Independence Day add some flare to your food by incorporating creative spins on all American classics.  We loved the idea of a gourmet hotdog & burger bar where your guests will be able to decorate their burgers and brats with an array of flavorful toppings.  For sides, potato salad, coleslaw, and corn on the cob are a must.

Want to create real culinary fireworks? BBQ is the quintessential Fourth of July dish. Although our nation may be divided on what is the best style, from Carolina to Texas to Memphis, we are all united by our love for smoked tender meats.  Finish off the night with a star spangled dessert with a flag cake.  A spread like this is sure to bring liberty and full bellies to all!

{ Photo Credits: 1. Pizzazzerie 2. Madamenoire 3. Bon Appetit 4. Martha Stewart }

Monkey Birthday Bash!

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

We were recently presented with the opportunity to coordinate a fabulous monkey themed birthday party. We went bananas over the idea! Sweets included “Monkey Tails”, frozen banana popsicles dipped into a chocolate fountain with a variety of toppings for the kids to decorate themselves. We also designed a Monkey Munch Popcorn display with our homemade popcorn boxes.

Juice & bottled waters were setup around the yard in colorful pails to quench their thirst.

Along with birthday cake & cupcakes, we served funky monkey milkshakes with bright striped straws and birthday girl tags.

While this party was for the kids, there was also a “No Monkey’s Business” refreshment station for the adults to cool down with a Sparkling Mango Lemonade specialty cocktail.

Our party favors included individually wrapped Monkey sugar cookies with banana runts.

{ May 2011 }

Life’s a Picnic

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

No matter what the occasion everyone loves to pack a basket, throw down a blanket and enjoy the outdoors. We just love the idea of picnic parties this summer. Whether on a rooftop in the city or a rustic soiree in the country the cozy appeal and budget friendly nature of picnics are perfect for corporate events as well as social get-togethers.

{ Photo Credits: 1. Tiny Water Blog 2. Elizabeth Anne Designs }

Late Night Wedding Snacks

Thursday, June 9th, 2011

Many brides and grooms want their reception to last until the wee hours of the morning.  For couples planning this type of event they might want to consider adding one more phase of catering service in addition to the usual cocktail hour and dinner fare.  We have seen more & more requests for late night reception snacks ranging from classic bar food to sweet treats to be served after last call.

Deciding what you want served at your wedding reception is a matter of personal preference.  Your selections should definitely be fun & casual little bites. The trick is to present these casual foods in a way that still has some style and pizzazz. Some savory options that are sure to be crowd pleasers include sliders paired with french fries, grilled cheese, a mini taco bar, or even gourmet mini hotdogs.

Others prefer to serve sweet treats such as mini powdered donuts, milk and cookies, fruit parfaits or espresso mousse.

Whether your late night snacks are displayed buffet style, passed as butlered hors d’oeuvres, or handed out as parting gifts they are sure to leave your guests with a lasting impression and a full belly.

{ Photo Credits: 1. Geoff White Photography 2. Wedding Bee 3. Alexan Events }

Inspiration: Specialty Bottles + Old Fashioned Milk Jars

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

We recently added these fabulous options to our inventory. They are the perfect statement pieces to use for your upcoming summer party! Just add lemonade, sweet tea or a signature cocktail with a colorful straw and your guests will be delighted by their simple elegance.

{ Photos: 1. Martha Stewart 2. Simply Divine Events 3. A Paper Proposal 4. 100 Layer Cake }

Master Tournament

Monday, April 4th, 2011

Today marks the start of the 2011 Masters Golf Tournament and we cant get enough of these adorable snacks!!

{ Photos: Crazy for Design }

Cherry Blossoms

Friday, March 25th, 2011

This weekend marks the start of one of Washington DC most beloved traditions, the Cherry Blossom Festival! We are looking forward to our Cherry Blossom themed wedding on Saturday!

Have a fabulous weekend!

{ Photos: Martha Stewart }

Inspiration: Pastels

Wednesday, March 9th, 2011

Happy Monday! A few days into March and we are dreaming of Spring Pastels.

{ Photo Credits:Coastal Living & Martha Stewart Weddings }

Inspiration: Valentines Day

Tuesday, February 8th, 2011

Inspiring ideas for this oh-so-sweet holiday!

Loving these dessert ideas from the blog of talented Amy Atlas!

Pretty little Hearts  from Woman’s Day!

How delishious does this Martha Stewart Raspberry Chocolate Kiss Martini look?!

Ingredients:

1/4 Cup Mint Infused Simple Syrup + a pinch more for the rim

3 Chocolate Chip Cookies finely Crushed

10 Raspberries

1/4 Cup Vodka

2 Tablespoons of Cranberry Juice

Ice Cubes

Directions:

Fill a shallow dish with enough simple syrup to just cover the bottom. Place crushed cookies into another shallow dish. Invert a martini glass into simple syrup and then immediately into crushed cookies to coat the rim of the glass.
Place raspberries in a cocktail shaker; crush with a muddler. Add simple syrup and muddle again. Add vodka and cranberry juice; fill shaker with ice. Shake well until chilled. Strain into prepared martini glass. Enjoy!

Happy { Almost } Valentines Day!

{ Photos: Amy Atlas,Woman’s Day & Martha Stewart }

RSVP Invites You..

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

Inspiration: Fall

Monday, August 30th, 2010

With all the beautiful weather we have been having it’s hard to believe that fall is right around the corner! While we love warm sunny days we have been finding ourselves daydreaming about some of these fall…

{Inspirations}

Adorable mini carmel apples by Sakurako Kitsa on Hip Hostess.

Beautiful bouquets found on JP Event Design.

These almost look too cute to eat on  My Black Book.

Creative way to bring fall to your table found at Southern Whimsy.

Purple Rain Ball

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Over 500 guests gathered to enjoy the Washington Ballet’s annual spring gala at the Swedish Ambassador Jonas Hafstrom estate.  The theme for this years gala: Purple. Creating an elegant yet personal evening, event planner Andre Wells incororated purple into every aspect of the event. Capital Party Rentals supplied three tents that provided space for guests to dine & dance.

The floral arrangements by Janet Flowers included the purple theme & helped create the mood of the evening.  For this special event we passed a variety of “Purple Inspired” hors d’oeurves.

We designed a four course menu for this event. The first course of Hot Smoked Gravalx was served followed with a performance by the dancers of the Washington Ballet. For the second course, a savory Spring Asparagus Soup was served. The main entree was Rosemary Crusted Lamb Chops with Swedish style Rhubarb.

The final course was an amazing Lemon Souffle with Lingoberry Sauce – perfect for a spring evening!

Thanks to Imijination Photography for these great photos!

Tis the Season for Holiday Parties…

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

The Holidays are always a great excuse to throw a fabulous party. From holiday office receptions, intimate dinner parties or winter wonderland weddings - we are simply obsessed with the magical feeling a holiday party can create.

Dressing tables with a variety of arrangements such as flowers, candles & ornaments help bring the warm holiday feeling to any table.

Get into the holiday spirit by serving foods that fit the season! Our Artisan Tenderloin Crostini with Gorgonzola, Arugula & Dried Fig is a delicious hors d’oeuvre perfect for the winter months and is sure to leave your guests raving.

Happy Holidays from RSVP Catering!