Sweet 16 invitation ideas and wording examples that’ll get the party started
Between the significant birthday milestones of becoming a teenager at 13, and finally an adult at 18, lies the momentous sweet 16. This coming-of-age event is a chance to celebrate both being young and growing up, all at the same time, with an unforgettable birthday bash.
Depending on the guest of honor’s preference, sweet 16 parties can be big blowouts with the whole school in attendance, or intimate get-togethers with just a few close friends and family. No matter their style, Paperless Post has teen-approved sweet 16 invitation ideas—plus wording to match—that’ll help you start planning the sweetest party ever.
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What goes on a sweet 16 birthday party invitation?
Sweet 16 invitations should give guests as much information as possible. You can include the following details in your invitation wording, or add Blocks to Paperless Post invitations to help keep the information organized.
- The guest of honor: Put their name and photo front and center so everyone knows whose birthday it is! Add one epic picture from this year to a photo Card or Flyer. If you can’t choose just one, upload a few in a Photo Gallery Block instead.
- Date and time: Let guests know when the party takes place. Add the day of the event, as well as its start and end time, so guests can plan accordingly.
- Venue: Include both the name and address of the party location. If you’re celebrating in a particular part of the venue—such as a specific hotel ballroom or the back patio at a restaurant—add those details, too.
- Party theme: Your invitation design may already highlight the theme, but you can also add it to your invitation wording so guests know what kind of party to expect—especially if they need to dress up!
- Dress code: Outfit-inspiration may be the most important, and fun, detail for teens. Let guests know whether this sweet 16 calls for formal dresses and suits, casual hang-out clothes, or anything in between.
- Who’s invited: A 16th birthday is usually just for the kids, but some parties also invite parents to join the fun. Let guests know whether parents should drop their kids off or if they’re included in the guest count. If you are inviting parents, use the Paperless Post group invitation feature that collects both adult and kid headcounts with your RSVPs.
- RSVP deadline: For sweet 16 parties that require a headcount, add an RSVP deadline that’s about two to three weeks before the party day. That way, you can follow up with non-responders and avoid any surprise drop-ins.
- Comment Wall: Add a Comment Wall to your Paperless Post invitation so guests can ask questions or leave thoughtful birthday messages for the guest of honor to read before party day arrives.
- Gifts: If the guest of honor would like gifts, add a Gift Block to your invitation with a link to an online wish list, or add general ideas for presents they’d like instead. If they’d prefer, write, “No gifts, please” in the event details.
Celebrate a milestone birthday with teen-approved invitations you can email, text, or share.
When do you send out sweet 16 birthday invitations?
Your birthday party invitation timing depends on what kind of sweet 16 you’re throwing. For parties that take place at home and don’t have a guest limit, send the invitations four to six weeks in advance. Invitations for bigger parties—or parties where your venue or caterer needs a more solid headcount—should go out six to eight weeks in advance.
It’s easy to send Paperless Post invitations as early as needed to ensure as many guests can attend as possible. Just choose a design, customize your invitation, and email, text, or share a link to social media or a messaging app so you can be sure everyone will see it.
7 invitation ideas for a sweet 16 birthday party
There are so many ways to celebrate the big 1-6, which is why Paperless Post has invitation designs and sweet 16 invite wording ideas for all of them! We found the most unique sweet 16 invitation ideas that fit our favorite party themes to help you get the message out with style and ease.
1. Fairy tale ball
Turning 16 can make any teenager feel like a prince or princess. Embrace that fairy tale vibe by throwing a celebratory ball, complete with gowns, tuxes, and lots of dancing. Use sparkling invitations, like “Sixteen Candles” by Paperless Post or “Fetti” by Kelly Wearstler, and wording like:
Come one, come all—to Sophia’s Sweet 16 ball!
Every prince and princess in the land is invited to partake
in dining, dancing, and celebration.
Saturday, March 16th
6–9 p.m.
Lily Rose Hotel, Ballroom A
8472 Adams Road
Please dress in your finest attire!
RSVP by March 1st
2. Beach party
Some teens would happily spend every day at the beach, so throw a party embracing those sunny vibes! Set your sweet 16 at the shore to enjoy beach volleyball, surfing, boogie boarding, and an evening bonfire. If you live far away from a beach—or the big birthday falls outside the warmer seasons—use beach-themed party decorations to make your backyard feel like a tropical getaway.
Invite guests to your beachy sweet 16 with the “Watercolor Pastel” invitation by Ashley G and wording like:
Surf’s up!
Celebrate Brayden’s Super 16 party with a day at the beach.
Saturday, June 3rd
4 p.m.
Madison State Beach: 193 Shoreline Avenue
Parents can drop off at Beach Site 12
and pick up at the same spot—or stay and enjoy the party!
Bring your beach gear: Towels, surfboards, and your appetite!
RSVP by May 20th so we have enough food for everyone.
3. Semi-formal dinner party
If your teen already feels like an adult, channel their sophistication into a semi-formal birthday dinner party. Serve a three-course meal, toast with sparkling cider, and let the teens enjoy rousing dinner party conversation with their closest friends.
Send guests the “Red Carpet” invitation by Paperless Post by Paperless Post and add wording like:
You are cordially invited
to a dinner party celebrating the 16th birthday of
Maya Grace
on Friday, September 19th
6:00 in the evening
at her home
937 Willow Lane
Semi-formal attire requested
RSVP by September 2nd
4. Eras-inspired party
There’s no better soundtrack to a sweet 16 party than Taylor Swift. Invite your favorite Swifties to a Taylor-themed party that celebrates a very special era in your kid’s life. Add in karaoke and costumes to make it an event Tay Tay herself would want to attend.
Use cute invitations like “Friendship Bracelet” by Paperless Post or “Birthday Beads” by Carolyn Suzuki Studio, with lyric-inspired wording like:
“Babe, don’t threaten me with a good time!”
You’re invited to Ava’s Sweet 16
ERAS PARTY!
Saturday, May 12th, 7 p.m.
881 Midnight Avenue
Join us for dinner, cake, and a Swiftie dance party!
5. Level up
For teens who would rather game than gather, there’s good news—a gaming-themed sweet 16 lets them do both! Have guests bring their favorite devices and games to the party, or rent a mobile game truck where guests can plug in right outside your home.
Send out “Video Game Level Reached” by Paperless Post, or choose another gaming party invitation that better fits your kid’s vibe. Then, add a message like:
Aidan’s turning 16—and you better be there!
Celebrate with an afternoon of video games and pizza
October 20th at 4 p.m.
377 Wilgrove Boulevard (party’s in the basement)
Be prepared to level up your game with some friendly competition
6. Pool party
If your sweet 16 party’s guestlist is larger than your house can handle, take it outside for an epic pool party. Bring out the pool floats, order some pizza, and celebrate with a big splash.
Use the pretty “Pink Watercolor” invitation by Linda and Harriett or a pool party invitation in the guest of honor’s favorite colors. Then, include a message like:
Celebrate Ace’s 16th birthday around the pool!
Thursday, July 31st
12 p.m.
9792 Miller Row, Unit #7
Meet at the house, and we’ll walk to the community pool together.
Bring a towel, swimsuit, and songs to add to the playlist!
RSVP by June 25th
7. Country western barbecue
Teens who love jamming to country music and rocking cowboy boots will flock to a country western-themed sweet 16. Create a country playlist, starting with “Sweet Sixteen” by Tenille Arts, and fire up the grill for fabulous food that complements the theme.
Invite guests with the “Dappled Blocks” Card by Ashley G or “Bandana” by Linda and Harriett. Use wording like:
Kelsey’s sweet—and now she’s 16!
Celebrate Kelsey, country style, with a Western sweet 16.
Wear your favorite cowboy attire for line-dancing fun!
February 19th, 3 p.m,
Elks Lodge
2485 Harrison Street
Albany, New York
RSVP by February 12th
Make it the sweetest birthday ever with Paperless Post
They may only turn 16 once, but the memories they create at their sweet 16 will last a lifetime. Once you’ve picked your sweet 16 invitation wording ideas and finished up your party planning, find more teen birthday party ideas and teen birthday invitations for any other birthdays coming up this year.
We have invitations for more special teen milestones, too, including quinceañera invitations and bar or bat mitzvah invitations. When you send all your invitations with Paperless Post, you’re free to spend more time doing what you really want—cherishing those last precious moments of childhood with the kid who you love to celebrate.
