How to Plan a Sweet Sixteen Dance

A sweet sixteen dance is one way to celebrate this momentous birthday. Whether you are celebrating one sweet sixteen or throwing a party with multiple birthday girls, a dance party will have everyone up and enjoying the party atmosphere. Careful planning will help make the most of this magical event.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Pick Your Venue

1. Choose a space for your party that will allow everyone plenty of room to "shake their groove thing" on the dance floor. From hotel ballrooms to the club room in your community center, you can throw a great dance party in a number of venues.

2. Turn your backyard into a nightclub-worthy scene by renting a dance floor from a party rental store. These square tiles of wood flooring can be laid out on grass as well as cement patios to form a dance floor in whatever shape you choose.

3. Set the mood for your sweet sixteen dance party by using auxiliary spot lights and other lighting elements. Stringing lanterns through the trees in your yard will provide the same kind of mood lighting.

4. Plan to have your venue divided into several areas. Besides the dance floor, every great sweet sixteen dance party needs a lounge area to kick back in, plus tables and chairs for grabbing a quick nibble or drink between songs.

Plan Your Music

1. Select music that fits the mood of your party. If you are going for a more formal affair for your sweet sixteen, select more formal music, but be sure to throw in a few contemporary hits to keep the party moving.

2. Hire a local band to play at your sweet sixteen party. You can find booking information for many bands on their websites or you can contact a local talent booking agency.

3. Play DJ for your own party by building a mix on your MP3 player.

Send Out the Invitations

1. Pick an invitation that expresses the mood of your party. From colorful graphics to the wording itself, you can use your invitation to give your guests a heads up on the evening's activities.

2. Plan for a swinging night on the town when you select colorful modern invitations for your swing-theme sweet sixteen party.

3. Use a more formal invitation and wording for a black tie or formal party. This will help your guests know the appropriate dress for the dance party.

Tips & Warnings

• Request a sample CD to preview the music played by the band or DJ you consider hiring.