Planning A Quinceañera

How to Plan a Quinceañera

A quinceañera is the celebration of a young girl’s transition from childhood to womanhood on her fifteenth birthday. The celebration consists of a mass and reception where friends and family are invited to join in the celebrations.

The birthday girl, known as the quinceañera, wears a formal gown. Traditionally, this is the first time she is permitted to wear makeup. She is accompanied throughout the day by her parents, padrinos (godparents), damas (ladies), chambelan de honor (honorary attendant of the quinceañera), and chambelanes (attendants of the ladies).

In the Mexican Catholic tradition, a quinceañera begins with a mass. At this religious mass, items like a bible and rosary are given to the quinceañera to be blessed by the priest. It’s also tradition for the quinceañera and her mother to take a bouquet of flowers to La Virgen de Guadalupe. This is done to thank La Virgen for the blessing of allowing the young girl to come of age.

After the mass, the reception follows. The reception may be held at the quinceañera’s home or in a salon (dance hall). The party typically follows this schedule: dinner, ceremonial rituals, waltz, godparent introduction and waltz, receiving of the last doll, el baile (dance), and cake.

During the ceremonial rituals, the birthday girl is given a tiara and heels to be placed on her by the godparents who purchased them. Once again, these gestures are symbolic of her entrance into womanhood. With her new heels on, she then dances a traditional waltz with her father, who will hand her off to dance with her chambelan de honor, in what should be her first dance with a young man. Typically, the waltz is choreographed and inclusive of her damas and their partners, the chambelanes.

After the waltz, the godparents are introduced and lined up to share a dance with the quinceañera—this is her chance to thank them for their generosity. The final ritual takes place when the quinceañera is gifted a doll by an honorary little girl. Sometimes, the quinceañera will also gift an additional doll to another little girl by tossing it behind her (similar to a bride tossing a bouquet)—in doing so, the quinceañera is saying her final farewell to childhood.

After all the introductions and ceremonial rituals, el baile begins. Music is provided either by a D.J. or live band. This is where the party/fun really begins; all of your guests dance and mingle—or if your family is anything like mine, this is the part where your relatives get drunk and dance the Chicken dance. Then, of course, last but not least, there is the serving of the cake. The next morning, family and close friends may attend a special breakfast which is known as el recalentado (leftovers from the party—para la cruda).

Quinceañeras are similar to the American sweet sixteen tradition. Like sweet sixteens, quinceañeras can be be celebrated in diverse ways. Some will have all the trinkets, pomp, and circumstance, while others will choose to have a small family affair at a home. Regardless of how costly, big or small the event is, I believe that every young girl deserves to feel celebrated on her special day. Although I had limited resources as a young girl, my parents, family, and family friends came together to help me have a beautiful quinceañera. My mother made the dama’s dresses, my aunts cooked, and my godparents provided most of the items I needed.

I encourage all young girls to be creative: don’t allow a lack of funds to derail you from having a quinceañera. Make the most with what you do have. If your family can’t afford a huge event, that is ok. In the end, you’re going to remember the fun you had with your family and friends and not how much everything cost.

Below I have provided a to-do list to help you plan your quinceañera.

Until later—Adiós chicas,

Alicia