How to Plan a Christian Quinceanera

A quinceañera is the celebration of a Latin-American girl turning 15. After the quinceañera, the newly crowned woman can get a job, begin dating and start to mark her place in the world. The occasion says goodbye to the little girl with final childhood gifts and celebrates the woman-to-be with dancing and an extensive party. A traditional quinceañera is a formal event with family and friends in attendance. Preparations for the quinceañera should begin a year in advance.

Things You'll Need

• Formal wear
• A tiara
• A DJ or band with appropriate music collection
• Room rental
• A last doll
• Other quinceañera gifts
• Services of a priest and pre-quinceañera classes
• Invitations

Instructions

1. Talk with the girl about what kind of celebration she would like. Let her pick the theme and details. Create a detailed budget around the ideas you discuss.

2. Reserve a room large enough for dancing. Some options are church halls, local gyms, recreations centers and dance halls. Places that offer wedding accommodations are also acceptable. Many places require reservations a year in advance. Make sure they allow for rehearsals.

3. Prepare invitations. The girl chooses 14 girlfriends and/or female family members to represent each year of her life. This group is called the court. You also need escorts for the girl and her court members. The court is paired by height and meets once a week to practice dancing together. Once the court is chosen you can choose the guests for the event.

4. Hire a DJ or band and choose the music for the occasion. A waltz is chosen for the formal dance the court will perform. A song should also be chosen for the girl's last dance with the father.

5. Sign the girl up for her pre-quinceañera class at church. This class deals with the girl's relationship with God and the Catholic community. Each parish is different and will have different requirements.

6. Book the quinceañera Mass for the day of the event. This should take place in the morning before the dance reception. The girl will arrive with her court and family first. During the Mass, the girl will give offerings of her childhood to the Virgin Mary and will leave with gifts that include a saint medallion and a birthstone ring. At the end of the mass, the girl is crowned with her tiara.

7. Choose the clothing for the event. The girl should be in a wedding-type gown. Escorts should have black tuxedos and the girls of the court should be in matching dresses chosen by the girl.

8. Hire a caterer to provide food at the dance reception, a rehearsal dinner and a cake. The cake is usually an elaborate wedding cake. You will also need to book a photographer and select flowers for the occasion.

9. Order the last doll and other gifts, including a Bible, a birthstone ring, the saint medallion and any gifts for the court and attendants. The last doll is a gift given to the girl as her last gift of childhood.

Tips & Warnings

• You can save money by having family members cook and sew for the occasion.

References

• Latina Sweet 15 Party Ideas
• A Hispanic Girl's Coming of Age