Sweet 16.

Hey guys! Remember this picture from my last post? Yes? HAHA. These balloons were from my inaanak's first birthday. Her parents gave these to us and I'll show you where we used these.

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Sweet 16. My sister just turned 16 last March 6. Sweet 16 parties are popular in the United States and Canada as well as Western nations and now in the Philippines. I searched up sweet 16 parties and found out that there are traditions like the 18th birthday parties----the candle-lighting ceremony, the shoe ceremony, tiara ceremony, father-daughter dance and the video montage.

For the Candle-lighting ceremony.

Each of the 16 candles holds a special meaning

• The first candle is for the girl's parents.
• The second candle is for the siblings. (If there are no siblings, then this candle can represent the grandparents.)
• Candles 3, 4, 5 and 6 are for the rest of the family members.
• Candles 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 are for friends.
• Candle 15 is for the girl's best friend or friends.
• The 16th candle is for a significant male, such as a boyfriend or good friend.
• Some add a 17th candle which represents good luck

For the Shoe Ceremony.

 The girl would traditionally be wearing flat shoes, such as slippers, and the father ceremoniously helps her into her new high heels. This is symbolic of the girl transitioning into a woman.

For the Tiara Ceremony.

This ceremony is similar to the shoe ceremony, except the mother approaches with a tiara instead of shoes. She places it on her daughters head to symbolize her becoming a woman. Sometimes this is combined with the shoe ceremony, so that two people approach the birthday girl, one with a pillow with high heels, and the other with a pillow with a tiara.

For the Father-daughter Dance.

The father-daughter dance is a tradition that is also frequently performed at weddings.The girl and her father dance to a slow-jazz song while everyone sits and watches. This is usually the first song of the night.

For the Video Montage.

At high end sweet sixteens, a DJ often brings along several televisions or a projector to show a video montage set to music of the birthday girl containing pictures starting from when she was a baby and getting older, usually ending with pictures of her in her sweet sixteen dress.This is either made by the DJ with photos provided from the family of the birthday girl, by the parents, or by a sibling. The guests can either sit down and watch this montage, or it could be playing in the background while the guests dance.

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But, we did not go with the traditions instead because her class went on an outing/overnight on the 5th and they'll be back at lunch of the 6th so we made a birthday surprise for her. We made a tarpaulin, thanks to Rhea's for this beautiful picture from their JS PROM; ordered the piano cake at Kimlyn's and the balloons from D' Balloon Station, Inc. So, my mom told their moderator to go at our house before they'll go home from their overnight. And here are some pictures of our surprise. XD

The celebrant with our surprise!

 And here's US! Celebrating Joy's Birthday plus the ENDING of our FINALS. XD
*see the where we put those balloons from Ella's first birthday party?? hihi.