Planning A Sweet16

Do your homework on vendors

Start by deciding what types of vendors you’ll need to hire for the event. For example, unless you’re planning to host the birthday party at your own home, you’ll need to book a venue that’s large enough to accommodate your guests. We have two great locations to choose from if you’d like to have the Sweet 16 in New Jersey, but we also offer off-premises catering. Inquire about whether the venue you have in mind is a good fit.

In addition to an event venue, you’ll need a caterer to handle your food and beverages, along with some kind of entertainment. (DJs are a popular option). And because your child’s Sweet 16 will probably fly by, it’s never a bad idea to consider hiring a photographer so you can capture every special moment to relive down the road.

Choose a date carefully

While it’d be ideal to have your child’s party take place on his or her 16th birthday, this isn’t always practical. This is especially true if your child’s birthday will fall in the middle of the week this year, or if his or her birthday is near a holiday weekend.

If this is the case, consider planning for a different weekend, even if it’s a week or two away from your teen’s actual birthday. The last thing you want is for a low turnout for the Sweet 16 because of an inconvenient date.
Remember, though, that Saturdays tend to be the easiest for anybody traveling from out-of-town, and so they tend to book up very quickly.

Come up with a detailed timeline

If your teen’s party will have lots of different components and moving parts, then coming up with a day-of itinerary (much like you would for a wedding) can be a big help. This is something that you can even work on with your teen to help him or her develop planning and organizational skills.

You’ll want to identify specific times for the start of the event, when dinner and dessert will be served, when vendors will arrive, and when you will need to vacate Sweet 16 venue. New Jersey laws usually specify a 2 a.m. closing time.

Furthermore, if you plan on doing any speeches, special ceremonies, or gift opening, be sure to factor those into your day-of schedule as well. This will help to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible.

Decide on a fun theme

Themes can be a great way to add unique personality to your teen’s special event, especially if your teen has a favorite movie, book, sport, or other hobby that you can incorporate into the Sweet 16 celebration. In fact, asking your teen to decide on a theme (if desired) can be a great way to get him or her involved in and excited about the planning process!