Graduation Parties in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Every year from mid-May to late June, graduation parties are all around us. It's not a big deal until it's either your turn, or you are the parent of a graduating senior. Where do you start? Here are the big decisions that you need to make. While your options are much different for a high school senior vs a college senior, the decisions that need to be made are similar.

For starters, you will need to determine the size of the event. Is it a party for a dozen, or a 100? From there, establishing a budget is best done on a per person basis. Keep in mind some costs will be fixed and others may have a minimum. Book one of our Orange Beach rentals or Gulf Shores condos in advance so you can get the best deal during a busy time.

If you are throwing a bigger party with 30+ guests, using an event planner is something you need to consider. In the Gulf Shores area, there are dozens of event planners who will help you stretch your budget, generate great beach graduation party ideas, and throw a graduation party that will be a cherished memory for all of the attendees.

If you choose to put the graduation beach party together on your own, many of the restaurants and hotels in the Orange Beach & Gulf Shores area have a catering staff that will help you put your event together.

The next big choice is where to host the event. Fortunately in the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach area there are plenty of options. You can host your graduation party on the beach, at the Gulf Shores State Park, at a local banquet hall, or at a local restaurant/nightclub.

Many graduation parties have a theme. If you are going to have a theme, consider using a party supply for gift bags, costumes, decorations, banners, invitations and yard signs. If you are hosting the party, consider using one of the Gulf Shores party rental companies.

One way to ensure a great time is to get the entertainment right. The biggest choice is whether you have live music or a DJ. Live music will make your event stand out. Finding the right band for your beach graduation party is a big job. At www.bandmix.com you can find over 370 bands profiled from the Gulf Shores area.

A DJ provides the versatility you will need to play a wide range of music. A DJ can also serve as the master of ceremony for the event. Finding a DJ has never been easy. www.800dj.com provides a great search tool and will help you choose from over 60 local DJs.

In addition to music, entertainment options could include a cartoonist to draw caricatures, clowns, dancers, carnival games, fireworks, moon bounce, water slide, or even running a casino night. Your options for a graduation party in the Gulf Shores are limited only by your imagination and, of course, your budget.

With a venue, music and entertainment selected, the last big decision is food. One of the advantages of having a graduation party at a local establishment or banquet hall is the food decisions are made easy. If you are hosting the event at home, throwing a barbecue, or having the party at the beach, you'll either need to start shopping and cooking, or hire a caterer.

The Gulf Shores & Orange Beach are ready to help celebrate your graduation and move on to the next stage of your life. Rent one of our Gulf Shores rentals or Orange Beach condos today and start developing your graduation party ideas!