There’s nothing like your Sweet 16 birthday party. It’s a huge milestone in a teenager’s life. After all, you can get your driver’s license and even your first job. It’s definitely a cause for celebration, but there’s a lot to do to plan the event. Here are 5 steps to take when planning that memorable birthday bash.
1. Determine the Budget
As with any celebration, the first thing you need to know is how much money you have available to spend. Once you determine that, you can allot certain amounts to each of the areas you’ll want to address to prepare for the big day.
At Waterside Events, the professional staff can work within your budget constraints to help you plan the perfect Sweet 16 party for your teen. There are also a number of ways you can cut down on expenses so you can have a memorable event without breaking the bank. Here are a few suggestions:
- Embrace DIY for your party decorations. This gives the event a personal touch and it saves you money too.
- Send online invites. There are a number of apps for that so you can create a beautiful virtual invitation that won’t cost a thing.
- Focus on the guests for entertainment options. There are a variety of fun party games that your guests will love, and you won’t have to spend a lot on other types of entertainment.
2. Choose a Theme
Choosing a theme is a great idea since it makes planning the rest of your party simple. You can check out your teen’s favorite TV shows, movies, or books for inspiration. Once you have the theme, you’ll know better what you need to do to decorate the venue.
Your theme can be as elaborate as something like Game of Thrones or Harry Potter where all the guests come dressed in costume, or it can be as simple as choosing a color scheme.
3. Choose the Venue
The next step is to choose the venue, and it’s one of the most important choices you’ll make. You want this to be a memorable celebration for all the right reasons. That’s why you want a venue with elegant spaces to choose from and a view that makes for a stunning backdrop for all the photos you’ll be taking of your teen and the party guests.
At Waterside Events, there are numerous spaces to choose from to accommodate all of your guests. The spaces are large enough to handle setups for a band, tables or a buffet, and they all have private bathrooms. Additionally, there’s valet parking so guests won’t have to worry about their car while they’re enjoying the party.
What’s more, you can’t beat the view at Waterside Events. The Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline will be a perfect backdrop for photos of your teen and all their friends as they celebrate this milestone. You’ll treasure those memories for years to come.
4. Send Out the Invites
Once you have the venue nailed down, it’s time to send out the invites. Whether sending them out in the mail or virtually, you’ll want to include the time, date, venue, dress code, and RSVP contact information. You might also want to include any other relevant information like what you’d like to do for gifts.
You might also request any special needs regarding the food you serve or other accommodations so you know ahead of time if any of your guests have food allergies or other special requests. That way you can plan so the whole gang will have a good time.
5. Arrange the Catering
The next step is to arrange the catering. Waterside Events has an award-winning chef, and he and his professional staff can help you design the perfect meal to ensure everyone is well-fed and fully satisfied.
Moreover, the venue spaces have plenty of room for whatever type of service you would like, be it a buffet, family style, or restaurant style. Waterside Events can help you arrange everything to your liking.
Final Thoughts
A Sweet 16 party is an important rite of passage for your teen, and of course, you want it to be perfect. By planning ahead, you and your guests can sit back, crank up the music, and enjoy this moment.
It’s important to know how much money you have to spend on the event so you can avoid the stress of being over-budget. Once you know that, you can choose your theme and book the venue.
Then it’s just a matter of arranging the meals for the party and helping your teen prepare with the right clothes, makeup, hairstyle, and accessories. With a little planning, you can ensure the event goes off without a hitch, and you can enjoy it too. They grow up fast, so savor every milestone!