Sweet 16 Party Checklist
- 3 Months Before
- Determine your budget.
- Tour various restaurants and hotels for possible locations.
- Check your personal calendar as well as the school's.
- Pick the date and location.
- 6 Weeks Before
- Start collecting memorabilia and assembling scrapbook or boards.
- Call or stop by a rental company to see all the fun stuff for rent.
- Pick A Venue. ...
- Choose A Theme. ...
- Finalize The Guest List. ...
- Get Those Invitations Out. ...
- What's On the Menu? ...
- Find The Best Music. ...
- Plan Your Party Timeline. ...
- Pick Fun Activities.
How much should you spend on a Sweet 16 party?
If your daughter is turning 16, you may have something a little more modest in mind. Below you will find a basic four-step guide for throwing a fun, low key Sweet Sixteen party your kid will love. A Sweet Sixteen party can range in cost from $300 all the way up to $25,000.
What should you have for a Sweet 16 party?
Sweet 16 Themes
- A Night In Paris. For this special occasion, what could be more special than a night in Paris themed party? ...
- Beach/Pool 16th Birthday Party. Nothing says sweet sixteen party like pulling out your favorite bathing suit and catching some rays with your girlfriends.
- Tiffany Blue Themed. ...
- Black And White Ball. ...
- Outdoor Movie Party. ...
- Halloween Themed Party. ...
How to plan the ultimate Sweet 16 party?
- Rent a place for the party
- get the best party planer in your area
- invite some friends make sure they wear a mask
- idk your gender but if your a girl make sure you buy the cutest outfit boys can do it to
- make your list who you want at you birthday
How to plan the perfect sweet 16?
How to plan the perfect Sweet 16 party. 1. Pick a theme or color scheme. Be sure to make sure it doesn’t fall on the childish side. There is a fine line between kitschy and classy, so be careful with what decorations and sentiments you decide to use.
How do you organize a Sweet 16 party?
Planning the EventPick a Theme. Take time to talk to the birthday girl/boy about the theme that they want for their event. ... Set the Date and Time. Depending on the chosen theme, set the date and time of the event. ... Choose the Venue. ... Create a Guest List. ... Send Invitations. ... Choose a Menu. ... Plan the Entertainment.
What is the order of a Sweet 16?
The first candle is usually for parents, the second for siblings or grandparents, candles three to six usually stand for family members, candles seven through 14 are friends, candle 15 is a best friend, and the last candle is a boyfriend or a best friend.
What is done at Sweet 16 parties?
Sweet sixteens can range from modest parties at home with close family to large parties with a hired DJ, makeup, hair styling, expensive gowns and dresses, and hotel ballrooms. Even if it is a small party, the main purpose of the party is to celebrate the person's earliest stage of adulthood.
How many hours should a Sweet 16 party last?
If planning a full, sit down meal plan for three to four hours to allow all guests to eat and enjoy the party. If you're going for snacks and light refreshments, two hours should suffice. Family Traditions Want to bring some of your family's Greek heritage into the evening?
How do you plan a sweet 16 step by step?
How to Plan a Sweet Sixteen Birthday PartyStep 1: Set a Budget. Before even thinking about the details involved in the party, determine a budget. ... Step 2: Determine a Date. ... Step 3: Choose a Venue. ... Step 4: Guest List & Invitations. ... Step 5: Pick a Theme. ... Step 6: Write the Menu. ... Step 7: Make the Schedule. ... Step 8: Party Favours.
What are some sweet 16 traditions?
While both young men and young women celebrate their Sweet 16 today, sweet 16 traditions such as the candle ceremony, father-daughter dance, passing of heirlooms and the shoe ceremony are typically reserved for young women.
Who lights the candles at a sweet 16?
The Sweet 16 Birthday girl will light each of the candles on the cake. Another option is to have the person or people being honored in the ceremony light their candle.
How do I plan a cheap sweet 16 party?
Prioritize. Ask your child what's most important -- a big guest list, the venue, food, music or maybe the décor -- and pick one area to splurge (just a little) on. If having lots of guests would mean serious skimping on other areas of the event, you could spring for dinner at a fancy restaurant for just a few friends.
What is a good budget for a sweet 16?
A Sweet Sixteen party can range in cost from $300 all the way up to $25,000. Sweet Sixteen parties can be formal, casual, or semi-formal; they can range from modest parties at home with family and friends to large affairs with a DJ, makeup and hair stylists, and hotel ballrooms.
Who do you invite to a sweet 16 party?
You should invite whoever you want to be there on your special day. Remember, it's not about the amount of people, but about how much the people mean to you and the reasons you want them there. Is 40 people too big for a sweet sixteen party? No, that sounds like a great amount of people!
How far in advance do you send sweet 16 invites?
six weeksInvite Your Guests Once the guest list is created, send invitations at least six weeks before the event. This timeline will give friends (and their parents) time to lock the party in their calendars.
What to do at a Sweet 16 party?
Guests likely will be milling about rather than sitting down for a formal meal. One popular idea for sweet 16 parties is to have a grand dessert buffet, complete with themed tablescapes and a variety of sweet treats.
What is the theme of Pretty in Pink?
Pretty in Pink. Zombie. The theme can also be a chance to highlight a teen’s interests. For instance, if she rides horses, you can go with an equestrian theme. If she loves to read, base the theme on her favorite novel. You can even go with a favorite color, song, movie, or sport to personalize the party.
Can Sweet 16s bruise their bank account?
Like any party, the sweet 16 can bruise the bank account if there aren’t boundaries. Including your daughter in the party's budget discussions will help her understand why you can say yes to some requests and have to say no to others. Featured Video.
Is Sweet 16 a coming of age party?
You probably still see your daughter as a little girl, but sweet 16 parties are traditionally "coming-of-age" parties. Hitting this milestone can make her feel pretty grown up all of a sudden.
What is the theme of Sweet 16?
Sweet 16 themes run the gamut, from retro glam to pajama party to luau and everything in between. Youngsters turning 16 often have particular interests—including sports, movies, music, videos game, and beyond. With plenty of lead time, any motif can be achieved through proper planning and execution. Also, choosing a theme can go a long way in ...
Is Sweet 16 a wedding?
Of course this is a very important night, but remember to keep things in perspective. This is not a wedding, it is a Sweet 16 party , so your teen’s expectations must be managed. Find a budget that works for your finances, and stick to it. There are a great many ways to give your teenager the perfect night, without putting yourself in debt.
Is Sweet 16 cool anymore?
Planning a Sweet 16 party that your finicky teen will think is “cool” can be challenging—particularly because teens probably don’t use the word “cool” anymore. Current teenage slang aside, there are more than a few factors that must be considered by the Sweet 16 party planner, no matter what decade it is.
Is Sweet 16 a smooth party?
As you can see, there are plenty of steps to planning the perfect Sweet 16. It might not be the smoothest of party planning processes, but it is one of the most rewarding—especially when your teenager’s eye rolls are held to a minimum.
What is a sweet 16?
A Sweet 16 is a huge milestone in your teen’s life. They’re halfway through their teenage years, ready to get a driver’s license, and old enough to land their very first job. Make the most of this special occasion! Here’s your step-by-step guide to hosting the best sweet 16 bash ever. Disclaimer: In order to use Peerspace’s site and services, ...
What are donut walls?
Donut walls are also an adorable and trendy alternative to cake that double as party decorations. You can order a pre-made peg board on Etsy, or do it yourself with some supplies from your local hardware and craft stores. Your teen’s Sweet 16 is a big deal.
Is Sweet 16 a big deal?
Your teen’s Sweet 16 is a big deal. It may be the last big party before their high school graduation party, so it should be over the top. No matter what your party budget or theme is, you can make every last detail amazing by following this guide. Here are more Sweet 16 party ideas to get you started.
What to eat at Sweet 16?
To prevent the food from running out at the Sweet 16 party, opt for quantity or quality; pizza, microwaveable taquitos, Bagel Bites, and baked goods are popular because they can be consumed while standing and without the use of utensils.
When to send Sweet 16 invitations?
Also, try to send your Sweet 16 party invitations out no later than 4-6 weeks before the big day; this will give guests time to clear their calendars, pick out new dresses, and buy the perfect presents.
Do you need parental presence at Sweet 16?
Obviously some parental presence is necessary at your daughter, niece, or sister’s Sweet 16 party, of course, but allowing the guardian of every party guest to swarm the venue will lead to lots of self-conscious kids and an extremely dull party.
What is a Sweet 16 party?
A Sweet 16 party will not only include a program that honors the birthday girl or boy, but will also include enjoyment for all the guests. Consider all the types of guests coming. Most teens love music so hire a DJ to play popular music and keep the party going.
How long before Sweet 16 should I plan?
Pre-planning: 10-12 months before the party. Planning an elaborate Sweet 16 definitely requires this much pre-planning. If your party is to be smaller and simpler, then you can probably reduce the timeline by 3 months. Pick a date remembering that it does not have to be on the exact day or week of the birthday, especially when holidays, ...
Why is Sweet 16 important?
A Sweet 16 planner can maximize the fun and minimize the stress of planning a celebration of young adult life. Especially in Long Island, NY, bigger and more formal events are the norm. For most, turning Sweet Sixteen is an important part of teenage-dom and the event ranks right up there with the wedding.
Can you have a few guests on a small budget?
If something very special and formal is desired, but you have a small budget, you will only be able to accommodate a few guests. But if a simple theme with fewer details is preferred, more people can be invited. Choose a venue that fits your budget, expected number of guests, and planned theme.

Plan Your Budget
Guest List
- The size of your guest list works in tandem with your budget. In most cases, the more people your child invites, the more the party will cost. Some families save up to host a big bash, inviting 100 or more friends. Consider your child's desires. They might be happiest getting together with a close group of friends for a concert or a day at the spa instead of a giant catered event.
Date and Location
- Choosing a date and party venuecan be a challenge depending on where their birthday lands on the calendar. If it happens to fall around Christmas or during the June wedding season, you might be limited in some options. If planning a big to-do, get started at least six months in advance (even sooner, if possible). Book the location well ahead of time, so you're not competing with off…
Vendors
- Before you start booking vendors and venues, you must know your budget number and head count. You should already have a good idea if you can afford a particular vendor or not. Have fun and make it part of the experience if you're going the do-it-yourself route. If your budget allows you to plan an elaborate catered event, attend a local bridal fair if your area has one. Those events ar…
Invite Your Guests
- Once the guest list is created, send invitations at least six weeks before the event. This timeline will give friends (and their parents) time to lock the party in their calendars. Make sure you set the RSVP date with enough time to inform the venue or caterer if you have one—they need a final head count at least one to two weeks before the date of the event. While sending an invite two weeks …
Menu
- Choose foodsthat are easy to eat standing up. Guests likely will be milling about rather than sitting down for a formal meal. Also, find out before the party if any guests have any dietary restrictions, which you could address on the invitation. One popular idea for Sweet 16 parties is to have a grand dessert buffet, complete with themed tablescape...
Itinerary
- Write a rough timeline for the party, so everyone knows the general plan. For your planning itinerary, separate the schedule into parts: 1. Setup:The setup time includes when you arrive to start setup; list who is involved 2. Arrivals:Include the time you arrive for setup; also include arrival times for vendors, the guest of honor, VIPs, and guests 3. Party Time: The party time should list …