A Real Life Quinceanera Story

Planning a quinceanera can take many months and is not an easy task, but if you plan your quince anos with plenty of time it can turn into a very sweet fifteen celebration. Quinceaneras have different options when it comes to choosing the quinceanera dress, quinceanera accessories, reception halls, music, photographers, quinceanera decorations and many other quince details some of us are so familiar with. But planning a quinceanera or quinceanero can be so overwhelming that we wouldn’t be able have a quince party without the help of family and friends, sponsors, and even hiring a good quinceanera planner.

So where do you start? Well, planning a sweet fifteen or sweet sixteen, or even if it’s a debutante, cotillion or quince anos, whatever the coming of age celebration is, it is not a difficult job anymore. Many big companies have come to realize in the last few years quinceaneras among the young Latina girls are a true Hispanic tradition that we plan to carry for many years to come. Quinceanera parties are more popular than ever! One would have never imagined that places such as Disneyland, one day would offer the opportunity to celebrate the quinces of your dreams. You can even come to the ball in Cinderella’s coach or plan a Disneyland quinceanera vacation and bring along all your damas, chambelanes, friends and family. Or, if you go to Florida you can check out the quinceanera cruises. That is absolutely awhesome!  

First and foremost you must choose your quinceanera dresses or  gowns. Yes, quinceanera dresses. It is now common to see some quinceaneras wear two different dresses for their quinces. Typically if theres a religious quinceanera mass or ceremony the young quinceanera  girl wears a white dress or pastel color for that ocassion. Then, the celebrated girl wears a brighter color quinceanera gown or something more dramatic at the reception hall or ball room. Some quinceaneras like to be very elegant, unique and different than the rest. That’s what makes it more fun! You also need all the quinceanea accessories. It is traditional to have a tocado which is a floral head piece set on the hair do. And of course the  quinceanera tiara or crown must be worn on every quinceanera’s head. The tiara can be color or crystal, and it can have the 15 sign on it or not! Most of the quinceanera girls will choose to hold a scepter or flower bouquet. Some quinceaneras like to wear gloves, but that is optional depending on the quinceanera dress and other quinceanera jewelry and accessories being worn that day.  Other accessories include the bible, rosary, photo album, guest book, and the quinceanera slipper pillow or kneeling pillow if theres a Thanksgiving quinceanera mass. And of course every quinceanera must have their last quinceanera doll which can match the color of the quinceanera's dress or the quinceanera theme chosen. 

There is tons of coordinating and planning to do. Choose your damas and chambelanes well. The traditional quinceanera typically has fourteen damas and/or fourteen chambelanes. But most of the quineaneras choose four to seven damas and chambelanes. Remember that you have to order the dama dresses with plenty of time for all your damas. Choose  your damas carefully so they don’t bail out on you at the last minute. One piece of advise for the quinceanera; help the quinceaneras mom choose her dress. Remember that she is so busy trying to plan you special quinceanera day that most of the time she forgets about herself and will have a difficult time finding a pretty dress for her at the last minute. You must choose tuxedos for all your chambelanes, and of course the tuxedo for the quinceanera's dad.

Choose your quinceanera themes smartly. Don’t try to make your theme so unique that you will have a difficult time finding quinceanera party decorations or quinceanera party and craft supplies. Quinceanera balloons and flowers are some of the easiest and nicest quinceanera decorations and table center pieces. Don’t make it too complicated.

Quinceanera Invitations can be purchased online or at one of many local quinceanera or bridal shops. You most likely will purchase your invitations at the place you purchased your quinceanera gown or find some really good deals on line. You might want to visit www.quinceaneramall.com  for some nice and affordable quinceanera invitations. See your proof online before you even place your order. This part will be fun!

Reserve your Reception hall with plenty of time. Research local quinceanera reception halls or quinceanera banquet facilities in your local area. Most reception halls and banquet facilites fill their spots with several months in advance, especially if it is a very popular quinceanera reception hall or a busy time of year.

Hire a good quinceanera photographer and ask lots of questions. Not everyone can do a good job on quinceanera photos.  It’s not the same to shoot pictures inside a studio than covering the entire party. Most good photographers will have at least one assistant with them to cover the quinceanera event that day. Same rules apply for the quinceanera videographer.

Find a good quinceanera cake specialist. Your quinceanera cake has not only be delicious, but that quinceanera cake has to be able to impress everyone. Expensive is not always better. An experienced cake person will be able to arrange for your to taste some samples. Most experienced cake bakers have pretty quinceanera cake pictures of their work. A good cake person prides themselves on the quinceanera cakes they make and would love to show you some cake pictures. One tip on quinceanera cake toppers; I don’t know why, but most cake bakers don’t include your quinceanera cake topper which is a very important detail. Find out if you need to get your own quinceanera cake topper to look ahead of time.

Yes, how can we forget…The food! There is nothing worse than having all your quinceanera guests at the quinceanera party waiting for the caterers to come. The quinceanera food caterers will play a siginificant role to start having a good time at your party. This will be the first most important part of the evening when your guests arrive. Most guests don’t eat all day because they are expecting good food at the quinceanrea party. Choose carefully!

Hiring the quinceanera music or Dj might seem one of the easiest things, but it’s not. Should you hire a band or a DJ? Should you hire both? Whatever you do, try to attend one of their presentations. Theres lots of DJ’s out there, and everyone thinks they can be a DJ. But, not everyone can be a good quinceanera DJ. The quinceanera songs and music must be very well thought out and chosen. An experienced Quinceanera DJ’s will be very familiar with all the quinceanera songs and quinceanera music.  You’ve spents months on quinceanera practices and rehersals with all your quinceanera group. All that well thought out quinceanera choreography can only turn out just like you dreamed with a good Quinceanera music band or quinceanera DJ.  One of the biggest highlights of the evening will be your group waltz or vals and your first dance. The first dance has to be perfect. Remember that the father/daughter dance will be one of your magic moments. Your quinceanera will turn out great if you plan ahead.

Then comes the question about what gifts or presents to give to the quinceanera. You might want to get registered at a certain Department store. Some stores such a Macys and Dillards now have a quinceanera registry. There you can buy quinceanera jewelry such as a quinceanera ring, quinceanera bracelet, quinceanera shirts, quinceanea picture frames or just quinceanera gift certificates. If you have been fortunate enough to be chosen as a participating sponsor, then your job is easier. If you are a sponsor, you most likely have already been told what your gift will be. There's sponsors for everything; cake sponsor, party decorations sponsor, quinceanera music or dj sponsor, or maybe even  the quinceanera invitations or photography sponsor or padrinos. It is also common to gift money. Some quinceaneras have a special gift table at the party salon with a specially decorated arrangement to insert cards, or those money gifts.

You must also choose what special quinceañera gifts, more commonly known as quinceanera favors to give to all your damas, sponsors, guests, god parents, and all the quinceaneras court of honor. Or what special thank you gift for all your special damitas and chambelanes or your chamberlain of honor who have been with you throughout all the quinceanera rehearsals and practices. They will help bring to reality the hard dance choreography that your dance choreographer put together for you! It is very easy to go on line and find some very affordable or cheap quineanera party favors. Some websites such as www.quinceaneramall.com have some very affordable quince favors without sacrificing quality, and still very unique and pretty for all of your quinceanera attendants and companions.

Plan ahead, research the internet for quinceanera websites, quinceanrea forums, quinceanera blogs, quince chat rooms, quinceanera articles, quinceanera magazines, quinceanera expos, and even for quinceanera movies. Ask someone you know who has had a quinceanera to let you borrow their quinceanera videos and quince anos pictures and photos. Research some good quiceanera themes and get familiar with all the quinceanera songs and quinceanera music. Go on line and look up some good quinceanera articles or find out where there will be quinceanera expos or shows in your local area. The Hollywood reporter just published an article about a new potential tv series where Jennifer Lopez is developing a new tv series "The Amigas Sweet 15 Club,"   or “Amigas”  which will be a great tv series. This series will help us learn more about the traditional sweet fifteen or quinceanera celebration. Some States such as  Texas, California, Florida, New York, Illinois and Phoenix, Arizona  have lots of quinceanera stores and shops. Some states such as Texas, California and Arizona have great quinceanerea magazines. Some of these 15 anos magazines are free, such is a quinceanera magazine in Forth worth. This quinceanera magazine can be found in Fort Worth Texas and it has some great quinceanera resources. You can also find some great quinceanera stuff with good tips and very informative quince articles on the quince forums that  cover from quinceanera traditions all the way to how to plan a perfect quinceanera . Remember, the best resources to plan your your quinceanera shouldn’t cost you a penny. Theres lots of free quince resources. Save the money for the real expenses and let the quinceaneras mom or dad get all the help they can from sponsors, padrinos, friends and family. This should be a great opportunity to get together and have lots of fun! Your quince anos, sweet sixteen or quinceanera should be nothing else but unforgettable!