It’s that time of year to start planning — Graduation!   Congratulate your graduate with an unforgettable celebration.  Here are a few tips to get you started.

Theme and Decor:  School colors are an easy and effective way to get the party started.  Mix and match napkins and tablecloths depending on the school colors and include those colors in your invitations, whether you do an online or paper invitation.  Decorate your food stations or drink area with an ombre of balloons (start with one of your main colors, for example, blue, and take the shade of that color from dark to light in one consistent line).  Put glittery Class of 2012 signs everywhere.

Jon's Street Eats @ a Rosecrest Special Events house concert

Food:  I am a firm believer in a food truck when dealing with some very hungry high school or college graduates.  If you’re having this at your home, set up tables outside, and once the food truck pulls up, all you have to do is get everyone in line.  You can stagger the lines by having a drink station in a different area, and calling certain groups up one at a time.

Music:  If you have the space and budget, bring in a dance floor and DJ.  If you rented a space, I can recommend some great dance bands that will keep everyone celebrating through the night.

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Lighting:  String lights placed across the yard or strung at all of the entrances will really make this feel like a celebration.  They have some very nice ones at Terrain.com.   http://www.shopterrain.com/outdoor-living-lighting/globe-lights.  This is also a good time to use paper lanterns with LED lights or flameless candles in a votive container on tables so that you don’t have to worry about flames – this is one party that could go on for quite a while, so one less thing to worry about.

These June events come with much joy and pride.  Congratulations to all the graduates!