Candle-lighting ceremony
- Each of the 16 candles holds a special meaning…
Shoe ceremony
For females the shoe ceremony is common at sweet sixteen parties. In this ceremony, the birthday girl sits down in a chair while her father, grandfather, uncle, or godfather approaches her with high heels on a decorative pillow. 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.
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 daughter’s 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.
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 or traditional song while everyone sits and watches. This is usually the first song of the night.
- 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 the boyfriend or a very close male friend.
- Some add a 17th candle which represents good luck
Shoe ceremony
For females the shoe ceremony is common at sweet sixteen parties. In this ceremony, the birthday girl sits down in a chair while her father, grandfather, uncle, or godfather approaches her with high heels on a decorative pillow. 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.
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 daughter’s 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.
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 or traditional song while everyone sits and watches. This is usually the first song of the night.