How to Make Quinceanera Table Centerpieces

A quinceanera, which is a 15th birthday celebration, marks a young Latina's transition into womanhood. Part fairy-tale celebration of the end of girlhood, part social debut, the often lavish quinceanera party resembles a cross between a wedding reception and a senior prom. Quinceanera table decorations include fairy castles, silver coaches, tiaras, high-heeled shoes and dolls dressed to match the young celebrant's outfit.

Things You'll Need

• 1 4-inch diameter rhinestone tiara
• 1 pair mini high heels, painted silver and rolled in clear glitter
• 1 yard of 6-inch pink lace trim
• 1 yard of 6-inch white lace trim
• 24 inches pink marabou
• 6 red-tipped white roses
• Baby's breath
• Florist's greenery
• 6-inch diameter circle of 4-inch thick floral foam
• 1 6-inch diameter Mylar "15" balloon,
• 1 heart-shaped Mylar balloon
• 1 star-shaped Mylar balloon
• Balloon sticks
• Needle
• Thread
• 1 12-inch diameter beveled-edge mirror
• 1 6-inch diameter clear plastic floral dish
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp. sugar
• Rose conditioner packets
• Glue gun
• Clear glue sticks
• For Head Table Centerpiece:
• 15-inch Quinceanera Doll dressed as the celebrant
• One pair of new high heels in the celebrant's shoe size
• Cut-glass cake pedestal
• One dozen red-tipped white roses

Instructions

1. Glue a circle of 6-inch diameter to 4-inch thick floral foam inside each clear plastic floral dish. Allow the glue to cool. Attach pink marabou trim to the top edge of each of the floral dishes with the glue gun. Allow glue to cool for an hour.

2. Lay pink and white lace trim strips on top of one another. Use a basting stitch to gather the lace trim until it is just long enough to go around the circumference of the base of each floral dish. Attach the lace trim to each base with the glue gun.

3. Arrange the baby's breath and other greenery along with six red-tipped white roses. Add the Mylar balloons on sticks. Attach a mini-tiara to the front of each centerpiece, and one silver miniature high heel on the right and left sides. Use a full dozen roses for the celebrant's centerpiece, which will go on the head table. Replace the mini high heels on each side of the quinceanera centerpiece with a pair of new high heels in the celebrant's shoe size. Display the 15-inch doll on a cut-glass cake pedestal behind the centerpiece, from the point of view of the party guests.

4. Add 1/2 cup water mixed with 1 tsp. sugar and one packet of rose conditioner to the floral foam in each centerpiece. Refrigerate the centerpieces until one hour before the party.

5. Place each centerpiece on a 15-inch beveled glass mirror. Add water to the floral foam if needed, but do not overfill.

Tips & Warnings

• These centerpieces should last three to seven days after the end of the quinceanera celebration.

Resources

• Quinceanera Boutique: Quinceanera Traditions
• U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: 15 Questions About the Quinceanera
• Santa Clarita Valley Rose Society: Extend the Life of Cut Roses