It’s here! Fat Tuesday, more commonly referred to as Mardi Gras, marks the end of the Carnival celebration and is a festive day for those who celebrate.
How many events, meetings, or conferences have you attended that take some inspiration from the Mardi Gras day celebrations? Themed parties in the hospitality industry are popular and fun for all attendees, so we thought we’d share some of our favorite Mardi Gras traditions to incorporate into your next themed party, conference, or meeting. From colors to décor, we have you covered!
Mardi Gras Color Palette of Purple, Green, and Gold Holds a Symbolic Meaning
Traditional colors for Fat Tuesday are purple, green, and gold, and they aren’t just three beautiful colors to decorate with; there is symbolism in using these three colors to celebrate Mardi Gras. Dating back to 1872, the first Rex Parade defined the colors that are widely celebrated today by draping balconies with this trifecta of colors. Even more importantly, each color has symbolism: purple represents justice, green represents faith, and gold represents power.
To incorporate these colors into your themed conference, party, or gathering, consider the tablecloths, menu cards, invitations, and other marketing materials to include these symbolic colors. Food is another fun way to incorporate purple, green, and gold, too!
Culinary Delights Are an Avenue for Celebrating Culture and Indulging in Sweets
Food and beverage allow planners the opportunity to thoughtfully curate a menu that incorporates the theme of the party or conference, and/or the host city as a fun way for guests to enjoy their experience. Mardi Gras celebrations in the United States are traditionally celebrated in New Orleans, Louisiana, a melting pot of cultures, celebrated and reflected in the diverse cuisines.
The most popular food item to incorporate into your party menu or Mardi Gras themed conference, is the King Cake, a ring-shaped pastry, iced and sprinkled with purple, green, and gold sugars. This pastry has a hidden baby figurine inside, and it is said that the person who finds this figurine in their cake will receive luck and prosperity as well as being dubbed the ‘king” or “queen” of the evening.
Party Props Allow Guests to Let Loose and Have Fun
Sometimes event attendees just want to let their hair down after a long day of meetings and sessions, and what better way to do that than to throw in fun props for your guests to celebrate with? Mardi Gras themed parties bring the amusement with purple, green, and gold beads, crowns, and masks. Provide a photo booth at the event and your guests will love posing for pictures using these props!
While floats and fleur-de-lis abound throughout Mardi Gras celebrations, too, you can find a variety of ways to bring the Mardi Gras theme to your conference, themed-event, or party. And, if you’re looking for a unique space in the heart of the “Big Easy,” check out our list of venues in New Orleans that offer a unique backdrop to any event.