Although pizza works for any type of special occasion, from fancy soirees to laid-back get-togethers, you can't beat it for casual celebrations. Whether you're planning an indoor or outdoor party, pizza is one menu item that is sure to please guests of all ages. 

One reason that pizza works so well for casual events is that party-goers can easily enjoy the hand-held meal as they mix and mingle. They can walk around the venue as they eat, rather than having to stay seated like during a formal affair. Pizza makes an ideal lunch, dinner, or even snack if you're holding the event in venues such as country barns, city or state parks, beachfront locations, backyards, or banquet rooms. 

Consider serving pizza at almost any type of special occasion, including kids' and adults' birthday parties, family and corporate holiday celebrations, bridal and baby showers, family reunions, housewarmings, anniversary and graduation soirees, and even casual wedding receptions. Depending on your event-planning budget, you can either create the pies yourself or hire a local pizza restaurant to make and deliver them for you.

Here are some customized pizza ideas for your next casual event:

1. Grilled Pizza 

If you're holding the laid-back party outside and have access to grills, treat guests to pizzas made with a variety of grilled toppings. Some fancier options include grilled shrimp and scallops paired with juicy pineapple, but you can also grill chicken breast, toss it with barbecue sauce, and top the pizzas with it. 

For vegetarians, customize the pizzas with grilled vegetables such as portobello mushrooms, eggplant, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and red onions. Take any of your guests' dietary concerns into consideration when planning the menu and provide the appropriate options, such as dairy-free cheese for those who are lactose tolerant or vegan.

In addition to topping the pizza with grilled ingredients, you can also grill the savory pies themselves to create a crisp, slightly smoky-tasting crust. This cooking technique will work for both fresh and frozen pizzas.

2. Pizza Buffet 

A pizza buffet is a perfect crowd-pleaser at any casual event, and both children and adults will have fun customizing their own pies. Start by placing bowls of various toppings, such as tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, a variety of fresh vegetables, pepperoni, cooked Italian sausage, and Canadian bacon, on a long, buffet-style table.

Provide individually sized pizza crusts, and have guests design their own personalized pies. If you have a lot of kids in the crowd, give them the choice of halved English muffins as a smaller-crust alternative for their pizzas.

For more ideas for customized pizzas, contact a local pizza restaurant such as Scittino's Italian Market Place.