Sweet 16 dreams finally come true

Oct 2 2011 by Sara Nichol, Sunday Sun

HER dream birthday nearly ended in tears... but Shantelle Blundell finally celebrated her sweet 16th in style.

The teen had been planning her extravagant bash for 18 months, finalising every tiny detail.

The invitations were out, the outfits bought, and Shantelle’s parents had spent more than £1,000 on decorations, chocolate fountains, a band, photographer and wrist bands.

Themed on MTV’s My Super Sweet 16th, a programme showing the over-the-top coming of age parties of American teenagers, the bash was expected to be attended by around 300 people.

But a last-minute mix-up meant Shantelle was left without a venue just weeks before the big day.

Now, thanks to the Sunday Sun, the delighted teen has had her dream birthday .

After covering her story in the Sunday Sun, Newcastle Falcons rugby team stepped-in and offered one of their function rooms at their Kingston Park Ground, in Newcastle.

More than 200 guests descended and were greeted by pink carpets, giant pink Oscar statues, hundreds of cupcakes, a photographer and Shantelle, who wore three different dresses throughout the evening, sat on a gold throne.

Shantelle, of Battlehill, Wallsend, North Tyneside, said: “It was absolutely amazing - the best night of my life. I loved every second of it. There wasn’t a thing I didn’t like. I had three different dresses, one big pink one, a hot pink one with diamantes and a white and pink one with lots of sparkle.