Home » Holidays & Celebrations » Birthdays » Sweet Sixteen

Sweet 16 Parties: The Hollywood Theme

Ranked #3,717 in Holidays & Celebrations, #47,794 overall

A Night Full of Stars (But It's Your Daughter the Paparazzi's Waiting For!)

It's not hard to see why the Hollywood or Oscar Theme night is a heartfelt fantasy for a lot of sweet 16s. For one thing, the parents are almost definitely-maybe going to cough up for a limo. For another, there's the gorgeous frocks, the sassy mocktails, the cool oversized shades, and the flashing bulbs of the paparazzi (or at the very least, the parents).

These girls have been watching Beyoncé and America's Top Model contestants work the crowd for years, and they're dying to give off a little dazzle of their own.

Setting the Scene



Sure, you probably don't want to hock the house on this party, but styling the entrance makes a big difference. Try a simple red carpet (vinyl's inexpensive) and if you can swing it, a pair of velvet VIP ropes (can be rented from some party supply sources).

When guest arrive, press younger siblings into service handing out plastic champagne flutes filled with sparkling lemonade and a plump, red raspberry. Give everyone a pair of fun, oversized sunglasses. Spin up Hilary Duff's "Sweet 16" and the party's started.

Fan Check

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Hollywood Party Decor: Cheat Sheet

What's your top picks for decorating? Swipe from this Oscar Night / Hollywood cheat sheet.


1

Vote Up
Vote Down

Latex Balloons

Black and silver or gold, they really add sizzle t more...0 points

2

Vote Up
Vote Down

Character Cut-Outs

Big as life (if not bigger - you know those short more...0 points

3

Vote Up
Vote Down

Oscar-Style Tables

Black linens with shiny gold overlays simply sizzl more...0 points

4

Vote Up
Vote Down

Movie Ticket Invitations

Admit one to the greatest Sweet 16 of the year.0 points

5

Vote Up
Vote Down

The Red Carpet Walk-Up

A red carpet lined with solar lights, Christmas li more...0 points

6

Vote Up
Vote Down

Starlet Swag Bags

Fill with a bag of microwave popcorn, a clapboard more...0 points

7

Vote Up
Vote Down

Wall Posters

Divas through the ages looking down upon your shin more...0 points

8

Vote Up
Vote Down

Vendor Carts

Pretzel carts, popcorn carts, nacho or Dippin' Dot more...0 points

Table Style



For simple, DIY but really dramatic centerpieces, arrange ostrich feathers (white or pink) into tall trumpet vases. Jazz up the vases with a glowing LED light at the bottom and a dash of sparkling vase gems. Surround with star confetti.

Another option? Take old-fashioned popcorn boxes, anchor with sand and place a weighted arrangement of helium-filled balloons inside.

A few more theme details can make a big difference to tables. If you're assigning seating or just want to add some fun, use mini clapboard placecard holders, or fill clapboard frames with photos of the birthday girl (guests can later insert favorite snaps of their own). Chocolate Oscars are another big hit.

Finally, don't forget balloons — they're really in their glory here. Fill the room with sturdy, shiny balloons in gold, black and white, and you've instantly got the look.

Of course, a picture's worth a thousand words, so check out Google Images, then flickr, for some snaps of real live Hollywood parties in action.

Fun & Games

Some hints on how to pass the time, in case the star-gazing starts to wane. Got your own flash of inspiration? Add it below!

1

Vote Up
Vote Down

Rock Band / Guitar Hero

Bound to be a hit if you've got the goods. DDR nev more...1 point

2

Vote Up
Vote Down

Match the Celeb

The Internet's a great source for finding embarras more...1 point

3

Vote Up
Vote Down

Secret Celeb Identity

Slap a "Hello" sticker on each guest' ba more...1 point

4

Vote Up
Vote Down

Home solar power

Home solar power more...1 point

5

Vote Up
Vote Down

Hollywood Trivia

Simple idea, but it's rare that this age group is more...0 points

6

Vote Up
Vote Down

Head Shots

Wigs, boas, backdrop, teens. Add good lighting, a more...0 points

Fun, Dramatic Splurges



Popcorn carts make amazing props and sought-after snacks, especially when you stock them with those classic red and white striped popcorn boxes. Who doesn't love movie popcorn, and that little thrill you still feel when you get that first whiff of mystery oil at the theater?

Movie-sized concession candy is another fun favor, and they're super-easy to source online. Think Milk Duds, Snocaps, Red Hots, Lemonheads and Juju Fruits ... totally fun and nostalgic.

Another simple way to add drama? Character cutouts. Drape these life-sized stars (pick teen hearthrobs for heavy traffic) with feather boas and keep a camera nearby, and you'll have awesome photo ops as your girls pose endlessly.

Great Stuff on eBay

Loading

Hollywood Shopping Short List

Here's a few tried and true hot spots for simple party shopping.
Shindigz: Hollywood Theme
Shindigz is a great stop for popular themes like "Hollywood," with high-drama table toppers, accessories (feather boas for everyone!) and activity ideas. If it's good enough for prom, it's probably good enough for your girl!
Hollywood Mega Store
Hollywood Mega Store has more product options and a more upscale set of items, for a posher party. Definitely: the largest Hollywood collection on the net, with a huge list of party decorating suggestions.
Sweet 16 Party Favors
Personalized, sweet and chic — what more could you ask for?
Stumps Prom
Big cardboard sets, inexpensive statuettes and personalized banners make this a great resource that's well-priced.
PartyCheap: Hollywood
PartyCheap has great deals on admission ticket rolls, glamorous fabric table runners, peel & place Hollywood stars and lanyard VIP party passes. Fun!
ThePartyWorks
Rock-bottom prices on cool hollywood confetti and megaphones, clapboards and film strip streamers, "ADMIT ONE" soap favors and cardboard red & white popcorn boxes for snacks or centerpieces. Not to mention some glittery tiaras!

More Hot Sweet 16 Party Planning Themes

We've got a growing list of helpful Sweet 16 party themes in the works, with all the down-in-dirty details of pulling off fabulosity. So, start here, Mom:
Loading

Reader Feedback



Share your favorite no-stress way to add mega Star Style to your Sweet 16's Hollywood bash.

submit
  • Reply
    Limo Hire Brisbane Nov 7, 2011 @ 11:55 pm | delete
    To prepare a party is a tough task. It requires a lot of time and hard work for it to be successful.
    http://www.limohirebrisbanecity.com.au
  • Reply
    Tony May 15, 2011 @ 7:16 pm | delete
    The hardest part about having a party is the preparation. One of the most important things to know is how to plan a party. Everyone wants to throw a party that people will enjoy and remember for a long time to come.
    http://howtoplanaparty.net
  • Reply
    Pinkchic18 Aug 20, 2010 @ 12:28 pm | delete
    A hollywood theme is such a great idea for a sweet 16. Girls these days are so infatuated with celebrities and the hollywood dream. Why not roll with it? Great lens, I've added it to my Sweet 16 Party Ideas lens.
  • Reply
    lou16 Feb 6, 2009 @ 11:06 pm | delete
    A selection of mocktails goes down well or else you can have champagne flutes with apple juice or lemonade in them (we also popped a strawberry in the bottom of each flute!)
Show All

by

blakekr

Check my bio for more Sweet 16 planning lenses, and see FavorIdeas for cute Sweet 16 party favors. more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Explore related pages

Related Tags