If your child is about to graduate, congratulations!  It’s a huge milestone in your lives.  Other than their wedding, this will probably be one of the biggest parties you throw for them.   It’s a celebration that will create memories that last a lifetime.  New Orleans caterers like Messina’s Catering and Events can help you host a graduation party worthy of their accomplishment. From the food to the venue to the décor, everything has to be just right, and a full-service caterer near you can help make the celebration picture perfect.

Start by setting the budget.

While all graduations are epic in their own right, graduating with a medical degree might merit a little more pomp and circumstance than completing kindergarten. No matter what you’re celebrating, setting your budget depends on several factors. (Tramadol)   First, how many people will be attending?  Secondly, what are the personal preferences of the graduate you’re celebrating?  The third consideration is what time of day the event will happen.

If it’s an evening event for a large group of family and friends celebrating a college graduation, you’ll probably want to consider an open bar or serving beer and wine and a signature drink, which adds to the overall cost. If you are celebrating your kindergartener’s graduation, a mid-week brunch might be more appropriate and a little easier on the wallet.

Next, select the venue.

Whether you’re planning on hosting the party at home or in one of the premier Crescent City venues, location is key.  If your event has a lot of people coming in from out of town, consider venues near hotels and the airport.  The number of guests can be an important factor in venue selection as well.  The more people, the more room you’ll need.  Plus, premium venues provide all the tables, chairs, ambiance, and décor you need.  Many venues even let you bring your own caterer, or you can choose a venue that has an exclusive caterer, like Messina’s Rooftop on Basin overlooking the downtown skyline and the French Quarter.  Messina’s is also one of only four preferred caterers at the prestigious Sazerac House—a newly restored historical venue at Canal and Magazine Streets in the French Quarter. (tadalafil)

Planning your graduation celebration at home can also be a great option for an intimate event.  But don’t think hosting the party at home means you have to do all the work.  New Orleans caterers are well versed in preparing and serving food at your home and can take the lion’s share of the work off your to-do list.

Set the graduate theme.

Of course, the obvious them is to decorate using the school colors of the graduate’s Alma Mater.  If they’ve just graduated with a degree in marine biology, a beach or deep-sea theme might be more fitting.  The food should complement the theme, with catering menu items like crabmeat stuffed mushrooms, bacon-wrapped scallops, Louisiana shrimp canapes, sushi, or a ceviche bar.  Be sure to include decorating treatments and party favors that fit with the theme, like a graduation photo wreath.

Choose menu items that are age-appropriate.

Little ones are big fans of fun finger foods like corn dogs and chicken nuggets.  A child graduating from middle school might prefer hamburger sliders or a mac n’ cheese bar.  Typically, the older the celebrant, the more adventurous you can be with your menu item selections.  Also keep in mind that food allergies and intolerances to ingredients like nuts and wheat should be carefully weighed before putting them on the catering menu.

Graduation season is nearly upon us, so now is the time to put your plans in motion.  If you want the food to be as celebrated as your new graduate at this event, the experts at Messina’s Catering can help.  For 59 years, their family has been helping families celebrate everything from weddings to baby showers to graduations. Together, they can help you make any event even more unforgettable.