Quinceanera Traditions and Parties

"Quinceanera" has two definitions: fifteen-year-old girl and the party that celebrates a fifteen-year-old girl's birthday. The Hispanic Quinceanera tradition formally introduces the girl to society. A traditional quinceanera consists of two parts: the church mass followed by a reception or banquet. In many ways, a quinceanera is similar to the American tradition of a sweet sixteen party. However, several traditions make this celebration unique.

Quinceanera Traditions
At a quinceanera ceremony, you'll get to participate in several rituals that show you are a young woman moving from childhood to adulthood. These include the crowning of the quinceanera, the presentation of the last doll and the changing of the shoes. At one point in the ceremony, you will be crowned, and you may also receive a scepter. You may also receive a special doll, the last of your childhood, which you will give to another girl. For the changing of the shoes, your father or a relative will change your shoes from flats to high heels.

Another important quinceanera tradition is the waltz. The waltz is performed by you, your escort and the quinceanera court of honor. The custom used to be to have 14 couples with you and your escort making up the 15th couple, but these days you can have as many or as few attendants in your quinceanera court of honor. Most girls choose to have seven couples, which makes for 14 attendants.

Traditional Mass or Church Ceremony
It is entirely up to you and your family to decide if you want to participate in a traditional mass or church ceremony or if you just want to have a reception. If you do choose to have a mass or church ceremony, you and your parents will need to speak with your church pastor or priest as soon as possible and find out what requirements or expectations they have for the ceremony.

Some churches or parishes require you to take part in a preparation course. Depending on the size of your church or parish, you may take part in a group mass or have a private mass. It is best for you and your parents to ask many questions to find out exactly what is acceptable and not during your reception. Your pastor or priest can also help you plan the course of events for the mass or church ceremony.

Planning Your Quinceanera Reception
The quinceanera reception is usually planned as a collaborative effort between you and your family. You will still want to set a budget for your quinceanera up front so that you know what your limits are and don't get too carried away. The quinceanera is an opportunity for a grand display, but you'll need to balance your wants with what your parents and relatives are willing to pay.

First on your list should be finding the location for the quinceanera reception. This could be anything from your church's reception hall, community center, park, country club or restaurant. Decide on the location, and make sure to put down a deposit to reserve it for your special day.

Tips on Decorating Invitations
If you are keeping your quinceanera small, you can get away with calling each guest and inviting them to attend. But you'll need to send out quinceanera invitations well in advance if your guest list is long. You can find a great selection of invitations online or even at your local party store.

You can also make your own invitations and personalize them in any way you wish. All you'd need is to purchase the paper, envelopes, maybe some pretty ribbon and then you and your family could work on putting the invitations together. While this will save you money, keep in mind that it is a time-consuming project, so plan on getting it done as early as possible so guests have time to plan.

Creating Party Ideas
You'll want to settle on a theme for your quinceanera reception so that you can coordinate all the details, including the cake. Your quinceanera theme could be from your favorite movie, holiday, flower or color. Once you settle on a theme, it's time to start planning your decorations. Do your research before heading to the party stores to do your decoration shopping and avoid overspending.

If you're working on a tight budget, concentrate on more affordable quinceanera party ideas, like balloons and silk flowers. Many party and craft stores also offer special discounts that can help bring the cost down. Check your local newspaper for coupons, and don't be afraid to ask the store if there are any unadvertised sales going on. And ask for help. Keep in mind that your whole family will be involved in the planning of your quinceanera, and you shouldn't go it alone.

Don't forget to pick up quinceanera party favors for all your guests as well. This can be as simple as a pretty box filled with your favorite candies and tied with a bow with your name and date of your quinceanera or something more elaborate depending on your budget. Remember that you'll most likely be receiving a quinceanera gift from your guests, so it's important to thank them and give them something with which to remember your special day.

Shopping for the Dress
Shopping for your quinceanera dress can be one of the most fun parts of planning your quinceanera, but it can easily turn into a headache if you let it, especially if you and your parents disagree on the dress. Before you start shopping, take some time to research quinceanera dresses online, noting the certain styles and colors that you like. Discuss your tastes with your parents and work out a compromise. Then take pictures of what you like with you when you go dress shopping.

Your quinceanera dress can be the traditional white, or you can go with a color that is more fitting with your theme. Dress styles range from the extravagant, puffy dress to a more simple type of dress. Remember to check out discount shops for less expensive choices. If your quinceanera is in the spring, you may be able to find a dress that will work as both your quinceanera and prom dress.

Above all, have fun, but be serious about planning your quinceanera. It will be a day that you'll remember for the rest of your life.