Working with Rouge Catering was the highlight of my DC wedding. Why? Three things: the food is phenomenal, the price is astoundingly affordable, and our event manager, Sarah Kelley, was maybe the most outstanding person that I have ever gotte...n to work with.
First, the food was incredible - like, not just incredible-for-wedding-food, but actually incredible. I am still blown away by the appetizers and how fancy they were - 5 types of passed appetizers (crab vol au vents, brie and pear canape, burger sliders, caprese crepe, chicken and waffle - which were all amazingly composed AND served so you didn’t need a plate to eat one, which is the hallmark of a great app) and a sprawling, homemade antipasti bar. For the main meal, we did a buffet with the strawberry salad, beef short ribs, mango salmon, tortellini rose, with two sides (fingerling potatoes and asparagus with a magic red pepper sauce). Anyone with dietary considerations (i.e., vegan) got their own specially prepared meal. Why is it so good? They actually build a kitchen on site and cook everything. Not finishing everything – actually cook it. And it matters. Open bar was unlimited all night and included all top shelf liquors imaginable, a variety of beers, and three wine choices (red, white, rose).
Second, the price - the whole meal, with fully open bar, with a three-tier Charm City wedding cake and coffee service included, and full staffing, was under $100 per person. Yes. For everything. No hidden costs or “add ons” that popped up later – my sole additional cost was linen rentals ($300 total for like 17 nice tablecloths and upgraded napkins), because the staff doesn’t even accept tips.
I need to expound a bit here: Rouge was by far the lowest price quoted for me, and yet it was by far the fanciest. To be honest, I actually encountered them first at a wedding expo at the American Visionary Arts Museum in Baltimore; their display was so upscale and elaborate, and their food was so complex and flavorful, that I didn’t even call them in my initial search because I assumed that I could never afford them. Meanwhile, they gave us the best quote. In short: rejoice in finding something you can afford and that is mind-blowing.
Lastly, and maybe most importantly, event manager Sarah Kelley (and Rouge staff in general). Sarah was the most amazing person to work with; her excitement and professionalism made this the easiest and most enjoyable part of wedding planning. When we visited their site for our tasting, we got to meet the owners and see how small and close the staff is, and it just felt good to give my business to people who care passionately about where they work. (Plus Sarah is hilarious and cool! I am actually sad that I don’t talk to her weekly now!) The staff at the event took care of so much and allowed us and my family to just enjoy the day. The venue looked AMAZING, the staff that was there was adorably sweet and so efficient, , and everything went off without a hitch without needing any attention from me.
I cannot recommend this company enough for anything. They are truly outstanding and I cannot praise them enough.