How To Plan The Perfect Sweet 16 Party

My kids are obviously not teenagers, so when my friend Melissa from church asked me to help her plan her daughter Hailey's surprise Sweet 16 party, I was admittedly a bit nervous.
How to plan the perfect Sweet 16 party. Pink and gold Sweet 16 party ideas. Dessert table ideas. Photo booth backdrop for Sweet 16 party. Pink and gold Sweet 16.

She wanted something girly and sophisticated for Hailey's Sweet 16 party. I had never planned a 16th birthday party before, so this was all new to me, but it turned out beautifully and I think Hailey had a great time with her friends.
How to plan the perfect Sweet 16 party. Pink and gold Sweet 16 party ideas. Dessert table ideas. Photo booth backdrop for Sweet 16 party.
Look at this beautiful 16 year old! I can't believe this girl is driving. I remember when she was born!

Planning a Sweet 16 party is similar at the base level to planning a kids birthday party, but it's different in some ways too. Today I'll share the basics of throwing the PERFECT Sweet 16 party. Let's get to it!

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. Melissa decided on pink and gold for Hailey's party and we rolled with it!

For the backdrop we decided to use these white ruffle curtains, adorned with pink and gold paper flowers and strings of photos hanging all the way across. Melissa had several photos of Hailey with her family and friends from when she was a little girl to now. Friends are everything to teenagers, so I thought this was a sweet touch.
How to plan the perfect Sweet 16 party. Pink and gold Sweet 16 party ideas. Dessert table ideas. Photo booth backdrop for Sweet 16 party.

Melissa ordered this rose gold sequin tablecloth for the dessert table and it rounded out the tablescape perfectly!
How to plan the perfect Sweet 16 party. Pink and gold Sweet 16 party ideas. Dessert table ideas. Photo booth backdrop for Sweet 16 party.

2. Decide on a menu
Teenagers love pizza, so that's what they got as their main meal item! 

For dessert we served some of Hailey's favorites - Oreo balls, chocolate covered pretzels, chocolate covered strawberries, cream mints, and strawberry macarons from La Rue French Macarons. What Sweet 16 party would be complete without macarons?! Such beautiful little round cookies!
How to plan the perfect Sweet 16 party. Pink and gold Sweet 16 party ideas. Dessert table ideas. Photo booth backdrop for Sweet 16 party.
How to plan the perfect Sweet 16 party. Pink and gold Sweet 16 party ideas. Dessert table ideas. Photo booth backdrop for Sweet 16 party.
How to plan the perfect Sweet 16 party. Pink and gold Sweet 16 party ideas. Dessert table ideas. Photo booth backdrop for Sweet 16 party.
How to plan the perfect Sweet 16 party. Pink and gold Sweet 16 party ideas. Dessert table ideas. Photo booth backdrop for Sweet 16 party.
How to plan the perfect Sweet 16 party. Pink and gold Sweet 16 party ideas. Dessert table ideas. Photo booth backdrop for Sweet 16 party.

3. Pick the perfect cake
The beautiful cake was made by a friend, Heidi from church. It went right with the tone of the party - pink florals, gold sequins, and a glitter 16 on top. She did a great job!

How to plan the perfect Sweet 16 party. Pink and gold Sweet 16 party ideas. Dessert table ideas. Photo booth backdrop for Sweet 16 party.


4. Invite lots of her friends and have something fun for them to do
Melissa had set up for them to play those fun youth group games that teenagers love to play. Those games that I used to love to play on church retreats but now I don't remember how to play because I'm old. (ha!) 

We also had a photo booth set up with props to take pictures. I made this photo booth backdrop out of ribbon we found on clearance and old bed sheets torn into strips. Super simple and pretty! 
How to plan the perfect Sweet 16 party. Pink and gold Sweet 16 party ideas. Dessert table ideas. Photo booth backdrop for Sweet 16 party.

5. Don't forget the oversized balloons! 
These are of course optional, but they're so fun and all the rage right now!

Tip: Spend the extra money and get good quality balloons from Party City. We ordered cheaper ones off Amazon and the seams busted as soon as the lady at the store started to blow them up. Melissa had a friend who came in clutch with these rose gold 30'' balloons from Party City (they look gold in the pic but they were rose gold and so pretty!)
How to plan the perfect Sweet 16 party. Pink and gold Sweet 16 party ideas. Dessert table ideas. Photo booth backdrop for Sweet 16 party.


So there you have it! It was a blast planning this party. Whenever I'm asked to plan an event that I've never done before I always get a bit nervous, but it ends up being so much fun. Although it can be nerve wracking, it's always good to get out of your comfort zone. Of course it's not comfortable out there, but that's wear you grow and learn. 

Thank you, Melissa, for asking me to help plan this party!

If you enjoyed this party, you may also enjoy:
How To Plan The Perfect Party (Without Losing Your Mind)
Kate Spade Bridal Shower (where you'll also find tips on making paper flowers)
Enchanted Tea Party Baby Shower
For more parties, visit my Party Planning page


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How to plan the perfect Sweet 16 party. Pink and gold Sweet 16 party ideas. Dessert table ideas. Photo booth backdrop for Sweet 16 party. Pink and gold Sweet 16.

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