Sweet 16 is such a special birthday for teen girls and is a grand time for a celebration. Have any of you Savvy Aunties seen MTV’s show My Super Sweet 16? Well, you probably don’t want to go that over the top, but a special masquerade ball for your niece and her friends would be a memorable way to celebrate.

Pick your colors
The best way to start planning is to pick colors for the evening. Will it be black and silver, or purple and pearly white? Once your niece has chosen her colors, purchase card stock in one of the colors and print the masquerade ball details in the second color (for example, silver card stock with black print). Match the type of font you use to the tone your niece wants to set for the evening. A ball is usually very elegant.

Choose your venue
If this is going to be a very large party, renting out a community or church hall is strongly recommended. Blow up balloons in the colors of the evening and make a balloon arch over the entrance. As guests arrive, have the Sweet 16 birthday teen take a photo with each guest. Once inside the hall, fill it out with even more balloons.

The party tables can again be set with the colors of the evening. You can either bring your own tableware, or hire it out with a caterer. Of course, the latter will cost more. It really depends on how formal your niece wants to make the evening, and your budget. You could also borrow nice silver or china from a friend or relative. If you do borrow tableware, make sure to label it so you can return it in a timely fashion to the correct person.

Specify your dress code in the invitation
In the invitation, have your niece set the dress code for her guests. For a Sweet 16, it can be dresses or skirts with a fancy top for the girls, and suits for the boys. I would suggest not having girls wear fancy dresses or prom gowns and boys wear tuxes.  This type of dress code seems really over the top and may keep guests from coming, since it may be too expensive.

However, I would ask guests to dress up!  Also, ask them to make and bring their own masks, or hand out masks to them as they arrive. It may be fun to ask guests to make their own masks, and to have a mask contest, where prizes are handed out for the “Most Creative” mask, etc.

Dancing and Special Dances
The party will revolve around dancing. You may want to put in a few special dances, such as a “father/daughter” dance. Encourage your sweet 16-year-old to carefully choose the music.  For an additional party favor, burn the favorite masquerade ball songs onto CDs for the guests to take home as a party memento. These are not expensive, and will be appreciated.

Planning your menu
For food, set up a buffet and serve sandwiches and a whole host of appetizers, such as fruit, veggie, and cheese trays; cold salads; and little warm appetizers. You can often find these types of appetizers in bulk at places like Costco. Chips and an assortment of dips would be excellent as well. Keep it simple. If you feel you must serve dinner, do heavy appetizers that include meat.

A chocolate fountain would be a fun and elegant addition to the party. Also serve your Sweet 16’s favorite type of cake: carrot, chocolate, etc. Other ideas would be “After Eight” mints, chocolate covered pretzels, and other sweet treats.

Drinks
Hold a Mocktail Reception, where you serve everything from soda to punch to fancy non-alcoholic cocktails like virgin margaritas and mojitos. They will look fancy, and be completely legal fun!

A masquerade ball shared with your niece’s friends will be a grand time! Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to plan. Several months would be a very good timeline. Also, create a targeted budget so you will be able to keep on track with the party plan.

Have your planned a Sweet 16 for your niece? Please share your experience in the Comments section below!