Sweet Sixteens: Invitations 101

Generating a buzz about your child’s Sweet Sixteen starts with sending out amazing invitations. The invitation reflects the tone of the Sweet Sixteen, whether it’s country-club formal or a fun, kids-only fete. If you’ve already decided on a theme, now is the time to introduce it. Use a specific color or motif, and simply apply it to each piece. Party Pointer: For efficiency and cost effectiveness, strive to order all your stationery from the same place and, ideally, at the same time.

INVITATIONS
Traditional: There is no rule of thumb when it comes to Sweet Sixteen invitations. As your child matures into her own person, you can showcase her individuality by using unique papers in unusual sizes, colors, and even exotic materials like rubber, metal, and fabric. Using block lettering or a simple italic for guys will give the invitation a more masculine feel, and for girls, hand-calligraphed text will err on the feminine side.
The Twist: Kids today are moving away from the standard invitation, and paper invitations in general. For a less formal Sweet Sixteen, online invitations are a fun, free option -- and some websites can even manage the guest list for you! No pen or paper required.
What to Write: Make sure you include the basics: who, what, where, when, and why. For a formal Sweet Sixteen with calligraphed or printed invitations, you’ll want to follow a pretty strict outline.
Sample text:
It is with great pride and joy that we invite you to join us as our son/daughter
____________ [Child’s first and middle name]
Celebrates his/her Sweet Sixteen
Saturday, February tenth [day of the week, month, and date of party]
at seven o'clock [time of party] in the evening [time of day]
New Rochelle Ballroom [name of party site]
Sixty-six Hale Avenue [address of party site]
White Plains, New York [city and state where party will take place]
When to Order/Send: Invitation orders should be placed three to four months before the party date. The sooner you order them, the more time you’ll have to proof them, make any changes, and address the outer envelopes (a calligrapher, for example, requires up to two weeks to address 100 invitations). Six weeks before the Sweet Sixteen is the most common time to send out invites, while eight weeks is ideal (10 weeks for guests coming from abroad). The same timeline applies to online invites.

REPLY CARDS
Traditional: Reply cards often include a box for each guest to check, letting the host or hostess know how many people will attend the Sweet Sixteen. A date for the return of the reply card is essential.
The Twist: Because so many people have dietary concerns, many reply cards now include menu options so that guests can check off what they wish to eat that day, and so the caterer can be fully prepared for the number of vegetarian or alternative meals needed.
2007 Trend Alert: Personalizing your child’s stamps will make a lasting impression. Try a site like PhotoStamps.com and use a photograph, monogram, or logo in the same color as the invitation for postage that will wow your guests.

THANK-YOU CARDS
Traditional: These notes are used to thank guests for their gifts and presence at your child’s Sweet Sixteen. They usually feature your child’s monogram -- this daunting task is a by hand necessity.
The Twist: Our favorite idea is to send a picture card or postcard featuring a fun photo of your child from the Sweet Sixteen. Check out photo websites, such as Shutterfly.com or KodakGallery.com for more photo ideas.
When to Send: Because most guests will give presents upon arriving to the affair, thank-yous should be sent out within a month.