Popular Sweet 16 Themes

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Before planning the majority of your sweet 16, one of the first things you must decide on is your theme. The theme you pick lays the groundwork for your dress, decorations, entertainment and possibly even your menu! When it comes to choosing your theme, you want to pick something unique and memorable that truly captures your personality and interests; that said, this party is all about you! Since picking a theme can be tough, we've compiled a list of popular sweet 16 themes that are sure to wow your guests:

Candy: What better way to celebrate your sweet 16 than with a sweet theme? For this theme you can either dedicate your party to one specific piece of candy, a group of candies, or just candy in general! Consider including a candy buffet where guests can indulge in their favorite sweets all night. At Zacharys, we are available to provide a candy table that is meant to satisfy any sweet tooth!

Black and White: While colors are fun, a black and white theme is a great way to make your sweet 16 seem a little more formal. If you anticipate difficulty choosing decorations and entertainment, choose this theme for simplicity - everything will be in black and white! However, since this is your special day you're going to want to stand out, so use your dress as an excuse to include some color in your night.

Glow in the Dark/Neon: Since neon is the new black, think about a glow in the dark/neon party. Let guests get creative with their outfits for this theme, and don't forget to have plenty of glow necklaces and bracelets to hand out throughout the night! When it comes to choosing a dress, also make sure to pick something you know will stand out with your lighting.

Tiffany & Co: Glam up your night with this elegant and fancy theme while inserting your own name into the title. Think about using a little blue box for your seating cards, and to really impress guests, include an inexpensive, sparkling ring on the inside that they can wear all night long!

You only turn 16 once, so make it memorable; have Zacharys cater your party! Our party planners will help you coordinate every detail of your sweet 16 including your menu, decorations and entertainment. All sweet 16 parties come with a DJ, and we are able to provide MCs, dancers, artists, photographers and videographers. Who says you can't have your dream sweet 16? Let us help you make it happen; contact us at (516) 794-9770.

Throwing a Theme Party: Tips and Ideas

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Have you ever wanted to throw a party but had no reason to? Well, who says you need an excuse? Every once and a while it's important to get together with friends and family to have a good time and relieve some of the stress that comes with everyday life, so make a reason to celebrate! Theme parties are a great way to let loose and have fun, so start planning your perfect night out today! If you're not sure which theme to choose, check out our top theme party ideas to help you get started.

1. Around the World: You can find inspiration from different cultures and cuisines from all around the world. Start by picking a country, then research typical cuisine and traditions, and finish by discovering any important holidays the country celebrates and incorporate those ideas into your menu, decorations, and entertainment. 
2. Time Warps: Throwing a party based on different time periods, decades, or specific dates always make for a good time. First, pick any interesting and exciting decade, generation, or era, and then incorporate as many historical things from that time period into your party! These themes are great for costumes so encourage your guests to come dressed up! 
3. Inspired by Movies and Shows: Pop culture is one of the easiest tools to use if you're looking for inspiration. Take any movie, TV show, book, celebrity, or artist and make it the focus of your theme party! Try throwing a Hollywood party and have your guests come dressed like their favorite celebrity.
4. Sports Celebrations: We all know sports are already a great excuse for a get together when they're on TV, so why not take it and make it something more? If you're looking to throw a party with sports involved, try hosting lawn games, a pickup game with friends before a BBQ, or a pre-tailgating party during the annual Fantasy Football draft. 
5. Just for Fun: Don't limit yourself when it comes to choosing a theme. Anything that you're interested in can make for a great theme party with just a little creativity, time, and effort!

Once you've chosen your theme, it's time to choose a place to host your party. Here at Zacharys our event planner will help you plan the perfect night and will provide creative ideas that can help you capture the look and feel of your theme party. In addition to working with you on your decorations, we will also assist in planning your menu and entertainment for the evening. 

Call us today at 516-794-9770 to set up your theme party today.

Planning Your Party: Buffet vs. Sit Down

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Before your guests arrive at the party you know there's only one thing on their mind - the food! Choosing the right menu and dining style is one of the most important parts of the planning process, and choosing correctly is sure to have your guests buzzing for weeks. But how do you know which set up is best for you? Knowing the pros and cons of each dining experience is vital in helping you make your decision, so follow these guidelines to discover which style works in your favor.

Buffet:

1. Having a buffet style dinner gives guests a variety of food options, allowing them to take as much or as little of something as they want. This way, your guests will never go hungry and can always go back for seconds. 
2. Getting up for dinner gives your guests another opportunity to get up and move around the room. This gives them time to socialize with others and doesn't leave them feeling trapped in their seats. 
3. Buffet style dining is typically cheaper than a sit down dinner, so opting for this style could leave room for added expenses elsewhere. 
4. A buffet can be one of the most beautiful decorations you have at your party. Include linens, floral arrangements, lighting, and elegant designs to spice up the room and generate a buzz.

Sit Down:

1. With a sit down dinner, your guests are captivated and occupied for an hour or two, making it easy for hosts who intend on giving speeches or making a toast. 
2. Having a sit down dinner provides your party with a more formal atmosphere and is considered more upscale. This style works especially well for formal weddings. 
3. A sit down dinner includes a service that brings food directly to your guests, removing the hassle that comes with having to get up every time you need something. If you have elderly guests or guests with small children, this style may be easier to manage. 
4. With a sit down dinner you are able to easily calculate the amount of food needed and can control portion sizes. In a buffet, it is difficult to approximate how much food you will need and you could be left with more food than desired or not enough.

Now that we've got you thinking, have you decided which style you'll choose for your party? Here at Zacharys we pride ourselves on our buffet style dining and pass around horderve services. Deciding on your menu is easy, as we have a variety of food options appropriate for guests of all ages. Our party planner will work with you to carefully plan your evening in a way that is guaranteed to make your party a success.

Call us at 516-794-9770 to begin planning your party today.

Sweet Sixteen Party Etiquette FAQs

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If you’re in the middle of planning the big bash, you might be feeling overwhelmed and want some help. How can you make sure everyone stays safe? What about staying within your budget? And last but not least, how will you keep track of everything you planned? Follow these guidelines and your party is sure to be a success.

1. Safety first - Even though your guests are old enough to know what is safe and what’s not, the majority are still minors. Have enough adults to help you supervise in order to avoid any unwanted mishaps, but don’t forget to still have fun!
2. Checking your budget – Always refer back to your budget while you’re planning the celebration. Make sure to allot extra money for any unexpected expenses, and don’t forget to set an end time for the party to avoid having to pay for extra hours. If you’ve planned carefully, then going over budget shouldn’t be a concern.
3. Keeping track – As you prepare for the party, keep a checklist of all the things you’ve done, what you need to do, and how much you've spent. This way, you won’t find yourself tangled up and confused about what is left to do as the day gets closer. It is also a good idea to keep any receipts and paperwork in a folder for easy access down the line.

Though planning a party can be a daunting task, the outcome will be everything you and your family hoped it would be. That’s where Zacharys comes in. Let us help you plan the perfect day and take some of your stress away to ensure the perfect night for your daughter's Sweet 16. Our party planners will keep you on track and help you select your menu, entertainment, decorations, and more while working within your means. 

A Sweet 16 is more than just a night out, it’s the day some girls dream about for years and we want to help make those dreams come true. Call us at 516-794-9770 to start planning your party today.

How to Plan the Perfect Sweet 16: Mom’s To Do List

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Planning a Sweet 16 can be stressful, especially if you don’t know where to start. Knowing which steps to take and when is vital in planning the perfect day for your daughter, so why not get a head start and use these pre-planning tips to set you on your way.

1. Decide on a date - Choose a date that works for everyone. Your party doesn't have to fall exactly on her birthday. Consider holidays and plan accordingly to guarantee a full house.
2. Who will be attending? – Depending on your daughter’s preference, you will have to figure out how many people you’ll be expecting. Decide whether the party will be intimate with just close friends and family or a big, elaborate bash. 
3. Select your venue – Picking a location for the big day can be difficult and time consuming. Now that you know how many people you’re expecting, pick a venue that will be comfortable for everyone while keeping your budget in mind. 
4. Send save-the-date notices – Planning a party months in advance calls for a save-the-date notice to remind guests not to plan anything on your special day. 
5. Select and order the right invitation – Once you've established the date, venue, and guest list, order an invitation that’s sure to make your party pop.

We at Zacharys are here to help make the big day and party planning process all that much easier. Our planners will work with you to coordinate and carry out every detail of your Sweet Sixteen, including decorations, entertainment, and menu options. Services also include valet parking for your guests, chachcka party packages, and photographers and videographers to capture every moment.

Turning 16 is one of the most important days in a girl’s life and Zacharys wants to make it as memorable as can be. Call us at 516-794-9770 to plan your party today.