Many people consider the 16th birthday a rite of passage. This is when kids typically get a driver’s license. Some people celebrate this birthday for girls with a Sweet 16 birthday party. This tradition may have originated with the tradition of holding a debutante ball to introduce teenage girls into society. It’s traditionally a formal event, but can be as informal as the birthday girl wants. The following tips may help you plan the perfect Sweet 16 birthday party for your daughter.
Discuss Expectations
Before doing any planning, discuss expectations with your daughter. Maybe she doesn’t want a party at all or would prefer an informal party. Also, make it clear what she can expect you to provide given the budget available. Discuss potential venues, guest lists, and food choices. The budget affects these decisions. Your daughter may want to invite everyone she knows and hire a hall. You may only have the budget for a private room at a restaurant with 20 of her closest friends. It may take some compromising before continuing with the planning.
Timing Considerations
If you’re holding a formal Sweet 16, start planning early. You need to reserve the venue up to a year in advance. You’ll be competing with weddings wanting similar venues. If you want a special ballgown instead of one that’s off the rack, order it in advance. Send invitations out at least a month before her special day to allow people time to plan. An informal party requires less planning or notice. It will be like planning a regular birthday party with something extra to make it stand out. Check that any must-have guests are available on the date you’re considering before finalizing anything.
Typical Events
Formal Presentation or Grand Entrance
Your daughter may want to enter to her favorite song while wearing the perfect dress with a photographer taking photos. Sometimes, the parents enter before their daughter.
Father-Daughter Dance
Another tradition at formal Sweet 16 birthday parties is for the first song to be a father-daughter dance.
Toast
There’s often a toast after the father-daughter dance before opening the dance floor to everyone.
Dinner
Depending on the time of day, you may serve dinner or a light menu. Decide whether to serve a buffet or a more formal sit-down meal if including dinner during the event. Don’t forget to make or buy the perfect cake for the event.
16 Candle Ceremony
The girl lights a candle for 16 people she feels are the most important in her life so far. She gives a short speech about each of them. Traditionally, the first candle stands for the parents, the next for siblings or grandparents, and the next four for other family members. The seventh through fourteenth candles stand for friends, with the fifteenth candle for her best friend. The sixteenth candle usually stands for her significant other. Sometimes the girl uses it to make a wish for the future. Set these candles up on a special table at the event and let them burn for the rest of the event.
After-Candle Dance
Some girls dance with a male relative or boyfriend after the candle lighting ceremony. Then the dance floor opens up again.
The Show Ceremony
Traditionally, girls only wore flat shoes before their 16th birthday. Her father or other close male relative brings a pair of high heels on a fancy pillow. He puts them on her feet to show that she’s transitioning to become a woman.
The Tiara Ceremony
The mother brings a tiara. She puts it on the girl’s head to show she’s now a woman.
Photo Montage
Some people set up and play a photo montage or video throughout the night.
Tell the DJ or band which events you plan to include and the music you want to be played. Inform them of all important details so things go smoothly.
Choose a Theme
If your daughter chooses a theme, it makes planning her Sweet 16 birthday party easier. Examples include Hawaiian luau, masquerade ball, pretty in pink, fairy tale, princess, or a tea party. Once you choose a theme, decide on the venue, decorations, invitation, and food. Parties with themes are more memorable than your average birthday party.
Consider Other Types of Entertainment
You need not limit entertainment to just dancing to the latest hits. Provide a photo booth, an activity to create a take-home item, life-size party games, or a dance class.
Get Inspiration From Similar Events
If you’re not sure what to include or how events should progress, use other similar events for inspiration. Check out information on debutante balls and Quinceanera parties as well as that on Sweet 16 parties. All are similar and can offer inspiration.
Other Alternatives
Should you decide not to have a Sweet 16 birthday party, celebrate this special birthday in other ways. Take a family vacation to somewhere she’s been wanting to go. Take part in some other special event that she would love.