2007 Ashley's Sweet 16
Plantation Preserve
05/19/07
Click each picture to make it big. Then back to return here.
Ashley's Sweet 16 party happened one day before her birthday. 35 friends were invited, of those about 23 showed up.
Laurie spent months planning. The party was similar to those seen on the MTV show, just that we didn't have a performer or a 100k car. This would be the budget version of the MTV show. Laurie tried to keep everything a secret, but party plans left on the computer room desk gave the secret away. So Ashley knew there would be a party. The limo was also supposed to be a surprise, but it showed up early while Laurie was still setting up the party. So much for surprises. The stuff you see on the TV show is staged, it doesn't happen like that in real life.
We hired a wedding photographer who took 600 pictures. You can reach Charles Weber on his web site at http://www.fotki.com/charlemagne and his e-mail address is charlemagne@bellsouth.net. Charles has studio equipment including the best Canon cameras and lenses. Charles photography skills are the best. He's great at setting up group shots and getting that special photo. For the shots you see below, keep in mind they turn out so good because Charles is coaching the subjects how to pose. Charles also brought a full studio to the party with flash units you see when taking your kids to have photos taken. Except the studio was here at our party. People looking to hire Charles may think they can do the same thing with a regular digital camera. You'll get a few good shots, but Charles can get that special photo and it will turn out perfect. Plus you won't have to worry about shooting the event, instead you can enjoy it. Just so you all know, I also have a nice Canon camera, but still let Charles shoot the event so I could enjoy it.
The first of over 600 pictures taken at the event. In the first picture is table ornaments, a horse drawn carriage. In the 2nd picture is a flower vase, in the 3rd picture is the table setting. Each table had candles, center piece with flowers, and a disposable camera for the kids to snap pictures. In the 4th picture is cheese and crackers. There was a full buffet with cake and a chocolate fountain.
We hired a limo which picked up 5 of Ashley's friends, then picked up Ashley and another friend at our house. Look at the wheels on the limo, they are horseshoes. Needless to say, the inside of the limo is a real party machine, with a laser light and full bar. The girls were only in the limo for a short ride from our house to the party room, but it was a grand entrance.
Here are pictures taken after the limo arrived.
Ashley walked into the party room, said hi to all her friends who were waiting, DJ Joey played music, and everyone danced. Joey played all the hits and taught the girls new line dances. If you want to hire DJ Joey, he's on a cruise ship tour for six months. Everyone had fun dancing to their favorite hits.
Ashley danced with mom and dad.
The kids went to the bar to get drinks. The bartender made virgin slushie drinks for everyone. These pictures were taken against a balloon backdrop. This is where Charles set up his studio equipment. What you can't see in these pictures, is there are two huge flash units with umbrellas that direct the light. That's why these pictures look so great, because it's a pro studio setup.
Now for some fun. The queen and her harem.
A group shot of the kids. Lucky guys. Everyone is asking for gas money in the 3rd picture. Lucky guy in the last picture.
Family shot.
A chocolate fountain was set up. The girls dipped fruit into it. In the last picture, Ashley is blowing out the candles on her cake.
The big moment of the evening. Just like the MTV Sweet 16 show, we had a car waiting outside. Ashley already knew she was getting a car, but hadn't seen the final version of it. Here's Ashley running out of the party with friends to see her car for the first time.
More pictures of the car and a family shot. Check out my Scion page here for more information on the car.
A group shot of everyone in front of the car. The kids tossed the bow around and made funny poses.
Yes, Ashley was happy and everyone had a great time. So there we have it, a low budget version of the sweet 16 party. Everything turned out great, no fights, no arguments, no party crashers, just a nice party where everyone had fun and went home on time.
Update 07/07/07, Ashley has an operators license and she hasn't crashed the car. We do have something really neat installed in the car, it's called http://www.lifetrak.net/ and can locate the car on a map in real time. Ashley wasn't to thrilled when she found out we could track her, but so far it's working out good because she's home by 11pm each night. If you'd like info about Lifetrak, let me know because my next door neighbor has the systems installed at his shop.
End of Report. Thanks for reading.
Email me at nogodforme@bellsouth.net.
Links
