V.I.P. TABLE
This is very important

The V.I.P. Table directs all the attention to the Birthday Girl, where it belongs, while highlighting her B.F.F.'s and their lasting years of friendship. Everyone in the crowd will know who her favorite peeps are.

Now, no Birthday Girl or party goer is going to be strapped to this table by the hip. There is much dancing/partying to be done and this is not what the table is for.

It's purpose is to highlight the ceremonious "lighting of the birthday cake". A long table works best for this. Set it up just like a wedding party's table.

Have the Birthday Girl at the center of the table, with an even number of V.I.P.'s sitting at either side of her. All seating has been assigned with the placecard holders. Once the "Happy Birthday To You" song comes on, the first two outer V.I.P.'s will stand, walk to the cake table and light the first two candles on her cake, then the next two outer V.I.P.s, then the next, etc., etc. Make sure the D.J. plays the "Happy Birthday" song twice or an extended version of the song. This allows everyone to pull this off gracefully, without stumbling over their chairs.

The key to making this even more successful is to limit the number of V.I.P.'s. allowing the parents of the Birthday Girl to light the last two remaining candles. This, of course, can be adapted to fit your family. Maybe you'd like a special aunt or grandparents involved.

Tip.

Have small lit candles and long unlit candles surrounding the cake. That way the V.I.P. can pick up the unlit long candle, light it by the smaller candle, and then simply light a candle on top of the cake. Everyone knows that lighters don't work, burn your fingers and cause huge delays.