Sweet Sixteen Invitations

Sweet 16 is an important milestone in a young girl’s life, so it makes sense to mark the occasion with a fun celebration. That means getting together with friends, classmates, or family members who mean a lot to her.

Once you’ve settled on the guest list, it’s time to spread the word about the birthday bash with charming invites.

We’ve got the scoop on the need-to-know info to help you create and send the all-important Sweet Sixteen invitations 😉

Etiquette for Sweet Sixteen Invitations

Before you break out the address book and go down the guest list, you’ll want to be sure that you’re following proper protocol for informing invitees.

Mind your manners by following the proper etiquette rules for 16th birthday party invites:

Sweet Sixteen Invitation Basics

Every invite to an event should include some basic important information, and sweet 16 invitations are no exception.

Here are the essential details that your invitations should include:

Birthday Girl’s Name

The birthday girl’s name should be written right at the top of the invite so that guests see it immediately and know who they’ll be celebrating.

Date

Clearly list the date of the party, as well as a “rain date”, if there is one.

Time

Let your guests know what time to arrive. If activities are booked for specific times, be sure to include that information. If it’s a surprise party, ask guests to arrive by a certain time so that they aren’t showing up with the birthday girl.

Party location

Be sure guests know where to come by including the location. If the party is being held at a venue, list the name and the address.

Host name/RSVP

Include your name and phone number/email address so guests can respond in a timely manner. You may also include a “Please RSVP by” date.

Party theme

Sharing the party theme on the invitation is optional, but it may be helpful.

If you’d like guests to participate in the theme, whether it’s by dressing in a certain style, wearing specific colors, or joining a fun activity, do note the theme.

The Do’s & Don’ts of Sweet Sixteen Invitations

To ensure that your Sweet sixteen invitations are absolutely perfect, follow these helpful rules:

DO coordinate your 16th birthday invites to the party theme. At the very minimum, incorporate your color scheme.

DO spell your guests’ names correctly!

DO include all the important & necessary basic info (see Sweet Sixteen Invitation Basics above).

DON’T mention gifts unless only to say, “No Gifts Needed”. Gift registries and anything that gives the appearance of asking for gifts isn’t appropriate.

DO proofread your sweet 16 invitations before they are sent. There’s nothing worse, then having to fork out more cash or effort to reprint or resend party invitations! Feel free to triple check before they are sent out 😉

DO send out the invitations at least 4 weeks in advance for an informal Sweet Sixteen Birthday Celebration or 8 weeks in advance if you are hosting a more formal affair.

DON’T Plan your Party on a Holiday or Long Weekend, as it may affect attendance numbers. You want a great turnout, right?

DO Use engaging language and have fun with your Sweet 16 Invitations – Remember, you want each and every invited guest to want to be at this milestone event!

Wording Examples for Sweet Sixteen Invitations

Struggling to find just the right words to convey a cute, festive vibe? Give your invites an extra edge by starting off with a fun phrase or a sweet rhyme.

We’ve got you covered with these clever sweet 16 invitation wording samples that are suitable for celebrations of all kinds:

Wording for Simple & Classic Sweet Sixteen Invitations

Keep it basic while still having a bit of fun with these samples for simple & classic invites:

Wording Ideas for a Nautical Theme Sweet 16

Prepare to set sail for fun by using one of these wording samples for a nautical themed party:

Sweet 16 Wording for a Fashionista Themed Party

Get ready for a glam gala to celebrate the birthday girl in style with these sweet phrases for your fashionista:

Travel Themed Sweet Sixteen Invitation Wording

Guests will be ready to pack their bags after reading your invitation for a travel themed celebration:

Sweet Sixteen Invitation Wording for a Brunch

Planning a sophisticated sweet sixteen brunch party? These wording samples serve up just the right amount of sweetness:

Wording Examples for a Sweet 16 Birthday BBQ

If you’re hosting a backyard BBQ bash, try hitting an upbeat note with your wording:

More Wording Examples for Sweet Sixteen Invitations

Impress the birthday girl and her guests with these fun ideas for Sweet 16 invitation wording:

Hard Copy Paper Invitation vs. Online Invitation

When it comes to creating your sweet sixteen invitations, there are two main types to choose from- hard copy or online/electronic. Each has benefits and drawbacks, but both will achieve the same goal of giving guests the information they need to plan to attend the special event.

If you’re unsure which type is right for your event, take a closer look at the pros and cons of both:

Paper Invitation Pros

• Classic and traditional
• Gives guests a tangible reminder of the upcoming event
• Many beautiful designs to choose from

Paper Invitation Cons

• Takes time to create, print or order, and send out
• Requires postage and dealing with snail mail
• Not as quick and convenient as electronic invites

Online Invitation Pros

• Incredibly easy to create and send
• Not postage or printing necessary
• Receive RSVPs quickly

Online Invitation Cons

• Not every guest may be online
• Digital invites can seem less personal
• Could get deleted, lost, or simply be deliverable to a guest

Ideas for Hard Copy Sweet Sixteen Invitations

There’s just something so personal and special about a hard copy invitation that makes them so appealing. It gives guests something to hold on to so that they have the details of the celebration right there in their hands. Not only that, but it can serve as a keepsake of the special event.

If you’re leaning towards sending out a hard copy invite, you have several options to choose from:

Handwritten Invitation

Embrace your creativity by creating a sweet handwritten invitation. You can design it any way that you like and include all of the important details of the event.

Computer Printout Invitation

A computer printout is both affordable and simple. You can include images and text and customize the size to meet your needs.

DIY Invitations

Get crafty and create a fun DIY invite. The options are endless for cool, creative ideas that can complement your party theme.

Generic Store Bought Invitation

If you’re aiming for simple and budget-friendly, generic invitations are the way to go. You can find packs of basic cards in a variety of colors at any party supply store or the dollar store.

Custom Invitation

If you want a beautiful, unique design, opt for a custom invitation. Depending on your party theme, this may be the best way to ensure your invite matches it perfectly. You can find great vendors on Etsy!

Online & Electronic Sweet Sixteen Invitations

Sending out online invites can be quick and easy, but you don’t have to compromise on style and design. They can look as polished and playful as paper invitations, but with no postage necessary!

Here are a few of our favorite services to check out:

Evite

Evite offers a large selection of both free and premium designs. To make party planning as easy as possible, invites can be sent out via email and text messages.

Minted

If you love the look of professionally designed invites, Minted has an extensive collection of beautiful options by independent artists to choose from. Simply select, customize, and send.

PunchBowl

Punchbowl makes it simple to create and send Sweet sixteen invitations for free. Their app allows you to send your invite to guests on the go, and you’ll receive push notifications every time someone responds with an RSVP.

Paperless Post

Paperless Post provides pretty invitations that you can send via email, text, and share on social media. Design your own with their simple tools, or use one of their modern, elegant designs and fill in your details.

SmileBox

Browse 100s of beautiful, original templates to find just the right design for your 16th birthday party invites. SmileBox lets you upload your own images to create slideshows and animated invitations that are sure to bring a smile to guest’s faces.

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