With the right venue, you can have a great party at little cost.
Sweet 16 parties are often glamorized by television specials which show elaborate celebrations complete with a professional DJ, massive rented space, catered meals and limousines. Fortunately, you don't need to break the bank to have a special sweet 16 party. Many ideas can be pulled off with a minimum of funds, especially when you focus your money on a single aspect of the event and save with frugal details.
Outdoor Ball
Instead of renting and decorating an elaborate hall, cut the costs of this type of party by holding a ball outdoors. Time the festivities for evening when you can use paper lanterns, candles and white Christmas lights to create an enchanting atmosphere. A temporary dance floor can be constructed from plywood or you can simply let the guests dance on the grass. Use the porch as a stage and set up either a sound system for recorded music to play on, or let local teenage bands play. Encourage guests to dress in their finest, and the atmosphere created by the elegant attire alone will make the event seem more formal. You can even make it a masked ball by requiring everyone to keep their face covered until the great unveiling as a designated hour.
Movie Screening
Many movie theaters will allow you to rent a single theater for a private screening. Once you have covered the cost of the theater, you will have very little additional expense. The movie itself will keep the guests busy throughout the event. For a nice additional touch, you can fill up small bags with candy purchased in bulk to provide a snack for the film.
Pool Party
The mere presence of a pool makes any party seem more glamorous. If you don't have access to a backyard pool, look into renting a neighborhood pool for your private event. Simple snacks such as fruit trays and mock cocktails will keep the party goers satisfied. With sunning and swimming available, you won't need to provide additional entertainment.
Dinner Party
An elegant dinner party is a very affordable way to make a sweet 16 memorable. Enlist siblings or parents to act as cooks and servers for the evening. Encourage guests to dress up in formal gowns and suits. Have a cocktail hour with nonalcoholic beverages and appetizers, followed by a nice, three-course meal. If the food is prepared at home from scratch and the guest list is kept to close friends, this can be a very affordable party. Serve a simple salad for the first course followed by a chicken and rice for a main course and cake or brownie sundaes for dessert.
Tags: Encourage guests, Encourage guests dress, guests dress, seem more, very affordable, will keep