Sweet 16 introduction
A sweet sixteen party is a type of birthday party in the United States and Canada celebrating a sixteenth birthday of a girl. Sweet Sixteen parties mark a coming of age.
It is one of the most important days of a young girls life. Art Of Sound understands that these are very exciting times for both the birthday girl and her family. We also understand that it can be very stressful and demanding as well.
Whether you're searching for a basic or complex sound setup we have the package that fits both your budget and entertainment needs. Give us a call today, we will be there to lend a helping hand when you need it most.
SWEET 16 TRADITIONS
Candle Lighting Ceremony:
For this tradition, the girl will have sixteen or seventeen candles on her cake. The very first candle is lit by her parents, and the second by her siblings or grandparents. The next four are then lit by additional family members. Number seven through fourteen are for important friends to light, and number fifteen is for her best friend. Lastly, the sixteenth candle is for an important boy in her life, and the optional seventeenth candle is for her to light for good luck.
Birthday Speech / Toast:
This speech is typically given by the father before the the gifts are opened. The speech focuses on the joy the daughter has given her father over the years, and how proud of her he is. It can also center on his wishes for her as she embarks into adulthood.
Shoe Changing Ceremony:
The shoe ceremony is common at sweet sixteen parties, although they are more often seen in Quinceañeras. In this ceremony, the birthday girl sits down in a chair while her grandfather, uncle, godfather, or father approaches her with high heels on a decorative pillow. The girl would traditionally be wearing flat shoes, such as slippers, and the father ceremoniously helps her into her new high heels. This is symbolic of the girl transitioning into a woman.
Tiara Ceremony:
This ceremony is similar to the shoe ceremony, except the mother approaches with a tiara instead of shoes. She places it on her daughters head to symbolize her becoming a woman. Sometimes this is combined with the shoe ceremony, so that two people approach the birthday girl, one with a pillow with high heels, and the other with a pillow with a tiara.
Father Daughter Dance:
The father-daughter dance is a tradition that is also frequently performed at weddings. The girl and her father dance to a slow song of choice while everyone sits and watches. After the dance, the father then hands her over to her friends for a group dance and leaves the dance floor.
Video Montage:
At some sweet sixteens, a DJ often brings along a projector to show a video montage of the birthday girl containing pictures starting from when she was a baby and getting older, usually ending with pictures of her in her sweet sixteen dress. This is usually made by the DJ with photos provided from the family of the birthday girl, by the parents, or by a sibling. The guests can either sit down and watch this montage, or it could be playing in the background while the guests dance.
Sweet 16 information form.
Click here to view, download or print out
our sweet 16 information form in advance.
TIPS AND ADVICE
Security:
Gate-crashing can be a problem at parties for adolescents so when you send out invitations, consider including a pass that must be presented upon entry.
Security is something that parents often overlook as it can seem a little alarmist but it's an excellent insurance policy that keeps the festivities fun and not vulnerable to overzealous mischief-makers.
Music:
As well as choosing the decorations and favors, your teen is the perfect person to consult on the choice of music to be played at her sweet sixteen party.
Most teens will be rather anxious and afraid that their parents have chosen a cheesy DJ. The key to finding a good DJ is to choose a DJ that will play the music your teen enjoys and not just music the DJ has in his collection or likes to play.
Sure, it may not be your cup of tea but this is her day, after all. Let the kids dance the night away to the tunes that mean something to them.
Alcohol:
Alcohol should be off limits to youngsters at a sweet sixteen party and provided only to adults over the age of 21. Why not consider instead setting up a bar and making available 'mocktails', non-alcoholic versions of grown-up cocktails.
Teen guests will love being offered fruit juices, sparkling grape juice and crushed ice served up in fancy glasses. Have on hand plenty of supplies such as swizzle sticks, cocktail umbrellas and even glasses with sugarcoated rims for extra authenticity. Make up sophisticated centrepieces to add another adult touch to the decorations.
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