Help planning a Sweet 16!

[Desnik]

I've finally booked a room and now the plannig has begun! But I need help!

My DD's Sweet 16 is 4 months away. The room we have booked fits 150 people, has a stage, will provide table and chairs, but we have to do everything else.

We'll have the food catered, (set it up buffett style) will order a cake, and I'll have to by all the decorations and do all the decorating. (nothing can be hung on the walls!) The room is a big space, hardwood floors, white walls, so it's plain. I'm inviting about 100 people, a mix of old and young.

Should I serve alchohol for the adults?

My DD is artsy, into rock bands, comics, super heros (well, mostly villains lol) and isn't a girly girl. Meaning no pink, nothing frilly or flashy, and no pop music lol. (I already told her she will have to compromise on that one! I love her music, but my grandparents, not so much. Actually most of the guests don't appreciate My Chemical Romance (DD's favorite) or Fall Out Boy lol)

We are trying to come up with a theme (and colors) based on the things she likes and are having a really hard time. Any suggestions?

I was thinking of doing a candy buffett.
Any other extra cool things to have at the party?

Thanks!

 

[Lorelei Lee]

the place where I had my daughters' parties was a nightclub when they weren't doing parties, so they did all the decorating. They wouldn't hang things on the walls, either, so they used balloons. A balloon arch, balloons on the staircase, balloon bouquets on the tables, etc.

Keeping with the clubby theme, we got those giant wine glasses, martini glasses, etc. and filled them with candy -- M & M's, Skittles, etc., very colorful.

 

[sj&k]

We just had DD's Sweet 16 about this time last year, and one thing that got a lot of positive feedback at her party was a wish tree. I know people usually use those at weddings, but DD treasures the notes her friends and family wrote to her that night. I just ordered a couple of manzanita branches and placed them in a large, inexpensive glass vase with some aqua pearls and immersible lights. For the wish tags, I used plain bookmarks from a craft store (more space to write on and much less expensive than pre-made tags) and punched holes and attached ribbon to hang the tags from the tree. For your daughter's interests I envision a lot of black with primary color accents (at least that's what comes to mind for me for at least a comic book/superhero/villain theme) and I found that when planning DD's party, there was very little that I needed to make her theme come to life that couldn't be found online (she had an "Under the Stars" theme, so star-shaped and sparkly was what I was looking for.) With the exception of a few items purchased at craft stores, most of her decorations were found online. I even bought table runners and chair bows online when I discovered that it was cheaper to do this than rent them. What I'm going to do now with midnight blue chair bows and table runners I have no idea, but I have them. If you can't tell, I love planning parties. I hope that anything I've suggested will be helpful. Good luck!

 

[Desnik]

the place where I had my daughters' parties was a nightclub when they weren't doing parties, so they did all the decorating. They wouldn't hang things on the walls, either, so they used balloons. A balloon arch, balloons on the staircase, balloon bouquets on the tables, etc.

Keeping with the clubby theme, we got those giant wine glasses, martini glasses, etc. and filled them with candy -- M & M's, Skittles, etc., very colorful.

I planned on doing a candy buffet, but now DD just told me she doesn't want one!

We just had DD's Sweet 16 about this time last year, and one thing that got a lot of positive feedback at her party was a wish tree. I know people usually use those at weddings, but DD treasures the notes her friends and family wrote to her that night. I just ordered a couple of manzanita branches and placed them in a large, inexpensive glass vase with some aqua pearls and immersible lights. For the wish tags, I used plain bookmarks from a craft store (more space to write on and much less expensive than pre-made tags) and punched holes and attached ribbon to hang the tags from the tree. For your daughter's interests I envision a lot of black with primary color accents (at least that's what comes to mind for me for at least a comic book/superhero/villain theme) and I found that when planning DD's party, there was very little that I needed to make her theme come to life that couldn't be found online (she had an "Under the Stars" theme, so star-shaped and sparkly was what I was looking for.) With the exception of a few items purchased at craft stores, most of her decorations were found online. I even bought table runners and chair bows online when I discovered that it was cheaper to do this than rent them. What I'm going to do now with midnight blue chair bows and table runners I have no idea, but I have them. If you can't tell, I love planning parties. I hope that anything I've suggested will be helpful. Good luck!

What a great idea! I ran it by DD and she loved it!! So we are doing the wish tree!
I'm going to look online for things too!

 

[Desnik]

Some progress:
She picked colors! Black, dark purple, and silver accents.

Still don't have a theme, but we found out the place we want the cake from is available to do it! This made DD very happy because it's a famous place that was featured on the WE channel & the decorator has been on the Food Network & DD has been a fan for years! So happy they can do the cake!!

So my questions are:
Do I serve alcohol?
What other cool things (besides the wish tree) can I do?
Theme ideas?

Oh, and DD changed her mind, she doesn't want little kids there!

 

[mommasita]

http://www.circleofmoms.com/question/what-ideas-sweet-16-birthday-party-1702195

Just saw this link, with neat ideas..
I am almost 2 years away, but looking into things..


Just my 2 cents.. Why have adults? I don't think I plan to.. I will do a sep family thing, and the sweet 16 (at least around here) are usually just kids.. So no alcohol for me, but some nice (non alcoholic) punches perhaps?

The last one my son went to he came home raving about.. There were many stations with themes of chocolate.. Not candy per say, but chocolate bars.. "Mars" was one " Twix' etc... SOOO well set up he said.. The mother hired local teens to serve everything.. Pictures were FAB..

 

[AuroraSheasMom]

I believe the purple, black and silver the will look really great. It's a bit
More goth or punk than your average Sweet 16. For some reason, those Halloween purple and black striped knee high socks keep popping into my mind. Not sure how that could be a theme though.

For the comic book aspect, maybe get pictures of her and have them edited to look like a comic book strip. I know the following link is for a little boy, but you could change the primary colors to her theme colors and it would be pretty inexpensive. Maybe it will give you a few ideas, anyway.
http://blog.hwtm.com/2013/07/budget-friendly-super-hero-party/

As for music, I say compromise. If she can deal with having music that's not her favorite at her party, the other (older) guests can surely handle a few Fall Out Boy tunes. I enjoy the Pentatonix cover of "Radioactive" very much. It's a remake of the original, more instrumental and perhaps more enjoyable to some of the older guests.

If you have the room, I'd maybe try to set up a V.I.P areas that is "off limits" to adults for the most part. Not in a secluded area, somewhere that their activity can still be monitored but still offers a bit more privacy from the old folks-after all, it's HER party.

I hope you get some great ideas!

I'll be subscribing, as I have a DD that turn 16 next year, although she's into country music, pickup trucks, and softball. Not a big girly girl, either, but still the opposite of OP's DD!

 

[Desnik]

http://www.circleofmoms.com/question/what-ideas-sweet-16-birthday-party-1702195

Just saw this link, with neat ideas..
I am almost 2 years away, but looking into things..


Just my 2 cents.. Why have adults? I don't think I plan to.. I will do a sep family thing, and the sweet 16 (at least around here) are usually just kids.. So no alcohol for me, but some nice (non alcoholic) punches perhaps?

The last one my son went to he came home raving about.. There were many stations with themes of chocolate.. Not candy per say, but chocolate bars.. "Mars" was one " Twix' etc... SOOO well set up he said.. The mother hired local teens to serve everything.. Pictures were FAB..

Thanks for the link!

Sweet 16's in our area (and in my family) always have a mix of adults and kids. My DD is only having about 20 friends. (her choice) she said she only wants people who mean somethig to her to be there and she wants her family there.

 

[Desnik]

I believe the purple, black and silver the will look really great. It's a bit
More goth or punk than your average Sweet 16. For some reason, those Halloween purple and black striped knee high socks keep popping into my mind. Not sure how that could be a theme though.

For the comic book aspect, maybe get pictures of her and have them edited to look like a comic book strip. I know the following link is for a little boy, but you could change the primary colors to her theme colors and it would be pretty inexpensive. Maybe it will give you a few ideas, anyway.
http://blog.hwtm.com/2013/07/budget-friendly-super-hero-party/

As for music, I say compromise. If she can deal with having music that's not her favorite at her party, the other (older) guests can surely handle a few Fall Out Boy tunes. I enjoy the Pentatonix cover of "Radioactive" very much. It's a remake of the original, more instrumental and perhaps more enjoyable to some of the older guests.

If you have the room, I'd maybe try to set up a V.I.P areas that is "off limits" to adults for the most part. Not in a secluded area, somewhere that their activity can still be monitored but still offers a bit more privacy from the old folks-after all, it's HER party.

I hope you get some great ideas!

I'll be subscribing, as I have a DD that turn 16 next year, although she's into country music, pickup trucks, and softball. Not a big girly girl, either, but still the opposite of OP's DD!

Thanks for the ideas! That comic book strip of her photo is genious! lol She loves the idea!

I asked her if she wants a private area for her and her friends & she said no. She wants to be around everyone. I have to say, we are all pretty cool Seriously though she loves hanging with her family more than her friends most of the time!


I looked into a photo booth and the prices seem to be between $500 - $700. DH said it's too much especially since we will be spending around that amount on the cake.

DD mentioned having a dessert bar with her favorite treats like brownies, cookies, cannolis, and other pastries. I'm not sure if that will take away from the cake that I'm spending so much on.

DH mentioned hiring servers because he doesn't want me doing so much that I miss the party. I'm such a control freak though so I'm not so sure I can leave certain things up to strangers.

 

[Poohforyou]

Thanks for the ideas! That comic book strip of her photo is genious! lol She loves the idea!

I asked her if she wants a private area for her and her friends & she said no. She wants to be around everyone. I have to say, we are all pretty cool Seriously though she loves hanging with her family more than her friends most of the time!


I looked into a photo booth and the prices seem to be between $500 - $700. DH said it's too much especially since we will be spending around that amount on the cake.

DD mentioned having a dessert bar with her favorite treats like brownies, cookies, cannolis, and other pastries. I'm not sure if that will take away from the cake that I'm spending so much on.

DH mentioned hiring servers because he doesn't want me doing so much that I miss the party. I'm such a control freak though so I'm not so sure I can leave certain things up to strangers.

Maybe get some nice pastry boxes and have the dessert bar as he party favor that people can select and take home.

I just had a party for dd's 14th b'day at our church hall. Her colors were purple, blue and black and looked really good together. We got a table top multicolored disco ball thing from spensers that was really fun.

 

[blue gatorade]

What about a comic theme? It's been the trend for the end of summer into fall. pretty much every trendy store (forever 21, wet seal, vs pink etc) has these styles in right now.

you can paint speech bubbles/graphics on big sheets of poster board and hang them from the ceiling. table cloths can be checkerboard, yellow, red, blue. I know she already chose colors but you can probably add those in somehow.

 

[ksjayhawks]

I would probably go with either the dessert bar or the cake. I know around here for graduations, birthdays, etc, cake doesn't get eaten but other dessert type items are huge hits.

If you go with dessert bar, perhaps do a smaller cake that can have candles on it, be used for pictures.

If she likes superheroes, dollar stores, walmart, party places would have all kinds of plates, napkins, cups, decorations in that theme. You could probably find a place online with great prices as well.

 

[aprilgail2]

Some progress:
She picked colors! Black, dark purple, and silver accents.

Still don't have a theme, but we found out the place we want the cake from is available to do it! This made DD very happy because it's a famous place that was featured on the WE channel & the decorator has been on the Food Network & DD has been a fan for years! So happy they can do the cake!!

So my questions are:
Do I serve alcohol?
What other cool things (besides the wish tree) can I do?
Theme ideas?

Oh, and DD changed her mind, she doesn't want little kids there!

Most of the ones I have been to have served alcohol to the adults. The most popular thing at them all was the photo booths!

 

[jel0511]

I just started planing DD's party!!! It's not until May, but I'm already behind!!! We're also having 100 people. Just started calling DJ's yesterday and she hasn't even picked her colors or theme yet. We're having a dinner/dance so we'll be serving alcohol to the adults we're inviting. It's overwhelming to think about everything I have to get to.....

 

[Desnik]

You all have really been helpful!

We will have beer and wine for the adults, but no hard liquor.

I'm going to do a small amount of desserts along with the cake. Just a favorites like brownies, cannolis, and assorted cookies.

So, so far I've got the room & cake decorator booked. Picked out the caterer and the menu, & have the colors picked out. We will do the wish tree and photos of her as a comic strip to display somewhere.

I have to set up the appointment for the cake tasting, but I need to pick a theme first!

Then I have to start thinking about centerpieces, favors, nd decorations.

Oh, we have a DJ in mind, but we need to make the call still. A very close friend of ours is a famous singer so he will perform a few of his songs at the party! Also, we are going to have her friends who have a band perform some of her favorite rock songs! Oh & I will have the DJ have the tv/screen set up and it will show a bunch of pictures of her from birth to now that I'm putting on a disk. I'm totally aging myself, it'll probably be on a USB drive.

Now, as I'm looking at the food I picked, how do I know how much to get? The tray sizes are a little smaller than a lasagna pan from the caterer I'm using (I have used them before). They always over estimate how many trays I need. I don't want to be left with too much food, nor do I want there to not be enough!

Here's the menu:
Penne a la vodka
rigatoni with grilled chicken, broccoli in oil & garlic
chicken marsala
chicken parm
chicken fingers
sausage & peppers
eggplant parm
potato croquets
tossed salad
bread & butter
beer, wine, soda, ice tea, lemonade
coffee/tea
cake, brownies, cannolis, assorted cookies

How many trays of each for about 85 people? What about appetizers!?

 

[DisneyMissy318]

Wow! I guess the whole huge Sweet 16 parties haven't caught on here! My DD will be 16 in March - she is not anywhere close to a girlie girl - more like a gamer girl. I am SO lucky - no party, just a trip for her and I attend a convention "RTX" in Austin over the summer. However, I will live vicariously through you guys and all of your awesome sounding plans!

 

[aprilgail2]

Wow! I guess the whole huge Sweet 16 parties haven't caught on here! My DD will be 16 in March - she is not anywhere close to a girlie girl - more like a gamer girl. I am SO lucky - no party, just a trip for her and I attend a convention "RTX" in Austin over the summer. However, I will live vicariously through you guys and all of your awesome sounding plans!

--wish it hadn't caught on here either--though it probably started here LOL. They have sweet 16 parties in wedding venues here, photographer, photo booths, videographer, limo, dj etc--some are just like weddings!

 

[tcufrog]

What about instead of hiring servers hiring a bartender who can make and serve nonalcoholic cocktails? I would suggest for music you do what is done at a lot of weddings. At beginning play a mix of music with a high percentage of music liked by the older crowd and as the night goes on the percentage of music liked by older people does down and the percentage of music liked by your daughter and her friends goes up.

 

[alc571]

When I read your first post, I immediately thought "black and purple" so when you said she had decided on colours and those were them I kinda chuckled. But when I think of black and purple, and being a Disney fan, I immediately think of the Haunted Mansion! lol

 

[shoney]

We recently went to one where the host hired a caricature artist. Everyone loved it!

I would serve alcohol. Beer and wine would be perfect!

I would also hire some servers to help set up and clean as well. This way you could enjoy your party.

Have fun!