Sweet Sixteen Ideas | Let the Party Planning Begin

My sister called desperately seeking sweet sixteen ideas for my niece's sweet sixteen party. It was going to be a huge family and close friends event held at a family members home. She wanted something different, fun yet grown up. After all, turning 16 is a big deal for a young woman.

So, we put our heads together and came up with a party plan. Décor, cake, food and gifts -- we planned it all and had a blast. Included here are some of the ideas we came up with.

Maybe you can use them too when looking for sweet sixteen ideas for your young lady's party. You decide!

Image: DecoratingforEvents - Mandee

My niece was pretty clear about not wanting the disposable, dime-a-dozen centerpieces available at all the party stores. She said they were a bit juvenile. Okay...

So, instead, my sister and I looked around our respective homes and made a list of items we could use as possible "grown up" style centerpieces. We tried them out and figured out what we were still missing and made a shopping list.

Of course, we also found some great centerpieces while shopping so our list changed a bit in the process but I think we came up with some simple but elegant ideas that would pass muster with my niece.

We only needed 3 centerpieces and all were different. It's a fallacy to think centerpieces have to be exactly the same. As long as they support the theme, color scheme or overall feel you are looking to create (like "elegant") they will work great!

Image: DecoratingforEvents - Mandee

We used the decorative mess on the tables as a runner. The long table had it running the length of the table. For the square table pictured above, we changed it up by having the mesh run diagonal. Then we placed a clear vase with decorative acrylic crystals on top along with scattered diamond shaped confetti.

A small tea light candle burned in the round vase. A purple tissue pom hug from the light fixture over the table. (Up high enough that we didn't have to worry about heat or flame from the candle.)

Image: DecoratingforEvents - Mandee

This is the first stacked cake I ever made. I'm still not sure how I got roped into making it but it was delicious. My niece wanted cherry chip cake with cherry frosting. I made the cake from Betty Crocker Cherry Chip mixes and then made homemade butter cream frosting using cherry and butter extract in place of the traditional vanilla.

She loves cupcakes too, so instead of a small top tier, I added a jumbo cupcake with a backdrop of ostrich feathers. The table had scattered diamond shaped confetti in clear and purple and I got her the "high heel" cake server. It was a big hit!

Image: DecoratingforEvents - Mandee

The candy table was done by a couple of other family members as a gift for my niece. She loved it! They did an excellent job by varying heights of the different vases. They also made sure the main candle in the center of the table was enclosed -- no chance to get burned by flame or hot wax.

Using all the same colored vases or candy containers lets the décor and candy be the main attraction. They used all clear containers here but all white, black or any other color works well too!

Image: DecoratingforEvents - Mandee

She's Growing Up!

For a Sweet Sixteen party, most girls would love to have a bit more of a grown up feel. Here's a recap of some of the ideas covered. Hopefully they will inspire you while planning the party for your Sweet Sixteen!

• Make the centerpiece more grown up by using items like candles, vases, flowers and such.
• Instead of balloons, crepe paper streamers and mylar bursts, try using decorative mesh, colored tulle, or sheer organza for ceiling and wall decorations.
• Make the party format more like a cocktail party with an appetizer buffet and cake or a dessert table later.
• Accent tables, cakes, buffets and more with fun, blingy and sparkling décor like feathers, crystal diamonds, glass vases, candles, led candles, and more.

Remember, a girl never forgets her 16th birthday -- I still remember mine! Treat her like a young woman instead of a kid and she'll thank you for it!

Image: DecoratingforEvents - Mandee

Las Vegas Theme Décor
Las Vegas party themes are very popular for all types of events -- weddings, birthdays, rehearsal dinners, proms, bridal showers, charity events and more. P...

Circus Theme | Vintage Weddings
With vintage weddings still going strong, brides are now looking to more focused or micro-themes to set themselves apart in the world of vintage themed weddi...

Hollywood Themes | Entrance Décor
Hollywood themes need to make a statement, right from the beginning - the entrance. A lighted marquee, a red carpet, staunchions to hold the celebrity seekin...

My Favorite Things Party Theme
I think, after Mary Martin and Julie Andrews, most people think of Ophra Winfrey when they hear the phrase: "My Favorite Things". The Sound of Musi...

Thank you for stopping by!

Do Come Back and See Me Again!

~ DecoratingforEvents ~

back to top