Quinceañera / Sweet 16 Order of Events

Read through our notes below on how to plan your event. You will also find explanations of the traditional events including the presentation of the last doll and the first dance.

Mass:
During the religious celebration (mass), the lady is walked down the aisle accompanied by her parents and her godparents. The lady is presented to the center of the alter for the mass. After the mass, the lady can choose to do the crowning, change of shoes, and the doll presentation. However, it is customary to do these traditions at the reception.

Reception:
After the mass, the festivities can begin with lots of food, drinks, and music. These parties are usually arranged around a particular theme. For ideas on many great lady themes, see our lady Themes idea page at www.my15birthday.com

Every reception usually includes the following:

The Introduction of the Court of Honor: 
To begin the festivities, the court of honor is first presented prior to the lady . Each name of the court of honor is announced as they enter. This announcement is usually done with background lady music. For a list of popular lady music, see our lady songs suggestion page.

The Presentation:
After the presentation of the court of honor, the lady is finally introduced. The lady may choose to walk in on the arm of her escort. A special song is also played for her entrance.

Change of the Shoes:
The lady shoes are changed to high-heals--this is done before she begins to dance her waltz.

Crowning of the lady :
The crowning of the lady is traditionally done by the mother of the lady . The headpiece worn by the lady is to be replaced with a lady tiara or crown. A scepter can also be presented to the lady at the same time.

Presentation of the Last Doll:
This represents the very last toy doll that she will receive.  Sometimes there is no formal announcement of this doll, and it usually sits on the table of honor near where the lady sits.  If there is a formal announcement it's usually done before she dances her waltz.

The Waltz:
The main highlight of the lady is the waltz or el vals. Months of practice are spent for this special dance prior to the day of the event. In most cultures, the lady first dances with her father during a special father and daughter dance. The lady finally dances with her court of honor.

The Toast:
The father usually leads the toast. The toast can also be done by the master or mistress of ceremony, bandleader, or even close relative or Padrino.

The Thank You:
The parents acknowledge her daughter's festive day.  The lady then gives thanks to her parents for everything they do as well as giving her the party. The lady also gives thanks to the sponsors for their contributions and to the guest for coming.

These tips were provided courtesy of :  

www.my15birthday.com

Event Planning Tips for Quinceañeras / Sweet Sixteens:

 

 An event like this is more than just planning a great banquet, which includes a religious and symbolic cultural right of passage for a young lady, there are numerous details involved in the planning stages. One of the most important steps, after securing the church, is finding a place in which to host the reception party.

To further assist you in the initial planning stages for your event, we have provided you with a checklist of items to consider during this most special time.

• One to Two Years In Advance
  
• Nine Months In Advance
  
• Four Months In Advance
  
• Two Months In Advance
  
• One Month In Advance
  
• One week before
  
• The Day Of

One to Two Years In Advance:

• Set the date
  
• Book the event site (i.e. church, banquet facility, etc.)
  
• Book the priest/minister (if applicable)
  
• Determine your budget
  
• Choose a theme (this can be anything from a flower, a recent movie release or based on a hobby of the honoree) click here to see a list of themes.
  
• Choose the colors (see below).
  
• If financial resources allow it, hire an event coordinator who specializes in these types of events.
  
• Book the church and don't forget to book a rehearsal so you, your court and family can have a walk-through before the big day.
  
• Assemble a preliminary guest list. Decide on Sponsors and who is paying for what.
  
• Book the reception site (for a variety of event location options, click here).
  
• Book caterer, if reception location does not offer on site catering.
  
• Book the entertainment for the party: DJ, band and / or mariachis.
  
• Book transportation for the Quinceañera/Sweet 16, her court of honor and family from church to reception.
  
• Book photographer and/or videographer (be sure and check with the church on their policy about filming in the church).
  
• Research bakers and select cake for reception.

Nine Months In Advance

• Begin Planning Ceremony.
  
• Begin Planning Reception.
  
• Announce your event in the local newspaper.
  
• Order invitations.
  
• If you are having your dress made, line up a dressmaker.
  
• Hire a choreographer or dance instructor to help you with your waltz during the reception.
  
• Decide if you want a full or half Court of Honor and choose the members.
  
• Decide on rental equipment needed (if applicable) to reception: tent, chairs, tables, linens, dance floor, staging, etc.
  
• Secure rental equipment with local rental company.
  
• Choose attire of Court of Honor. Choose your Honor Escort.
  
• Purchase invitations.
  
• Purchase decorations.
  
• Purchase party favors.
  
• Meet with Priest or Minister to discuss the ceremony and your preferences.

Four Months In Advance:

• Finalize guest lists.
  
• Touch bases with all your vendors to go over details: photographers, florists, musicians, caterer, etc.

Two Months In Advance:

• Address invitations and announcements.
  
• Mail them 6-8 weeks prior to event.
  
• Make appointments for hair, makeup and nails.
  
• If you are not having a dress made, now is the time to purchase your dress. Send invitations.

One Month In Advance:

• Have a formal portrait done in gown.
  
• Purchase gifts for Court of Honor.
  
• Select the music for the main waltz with the Escort of Honor at the reception.
  
• Hire a choreographer to work with you on practicing this waltz.
  
• Have final alterations complete on dress (if necessary)

One week before:

• Contact guests who have not responded.
  
• Give final count to caterer and review final food, beverage and set up instructions.
  
• Give photographer and videographer a list of shots you would like included.
  
• Give all musicians the lists of music for the ceremony and reception.
  
• Make a list of all the items you need to take to the church (candles, gifts, rosary, Bible, anything pertinent to the ceremony itself).

The Day Of:

• Be sure you eat something prior to the ceremony. This will be a long day and it may be a while until you get to eat at the reception.
  
• Have hair, makeup and nails done.
  
• Have someone keep an emergency kit with an extra pair of panty hose, clear nail polish (for runs), band-aids, makeup, and a mini sewing kit.
  
• Take payments for vendors and bring extra cash for tipping as necessary.
  
• Get your checklist of items needed for the ceremony and reception and make sure you have everything before you leave.
  
• Relax and have fun! 

These tips were provided courtesy of :  

www.my15birthday.com

Quinceañera Padrinos / Sponsors tips:

This tradition is designed to spread the economic burden among the family and close family friends. Each padrino donates cash or volunteers to buy a specific item such as the cake, tiara, photo album, or flowers.

Esta tradición se ha diseñado para distribuir la carga económica entre la familia y amigos cercanos de la familia. Cada padrino dona dinero o voluntarios para comprar un artículo específico, tales como el pastel, la tiara, álbum de fotos, o las flores.

It is best to choose several padrinos to help with the most expensive items like for the Catering, Hall, DJ, and etc. This way it won't be such a big expense for just one sponsor.

Lo mejor es elegir varios padrinos para ayudar con los artículos más caros como para el catering, Salón, dj, etc De esta manera no va a ser un gran gasto para un solo patrocinador.

Here are the most popular items a Padrino or Madrina sponsors for:

Éstos son los artículos más populares un Padrino o Madrina patrocinadores para:

• Arreglos de mesa = Centerpieces
• Bebidas = Drinks
• Champagne = Apple Cider
• Comida = Catering
• Decoracion = Decoration
• El Anillo = Ring (Gold)
• El Cojin = Kneeling Pillow
• El Pastel = The Cake
• El Ramo = Quinceañera Flower Bouquet
• El Rosario = Rosary
• Fotos = Photos
• Invataciones = Invitations
• La Biblia = Bible
• La Corona = Tiara/Crown
• La Esclava = Bracelet (Gold)
• La Medalla = Medallion/Necklace (Gold)
• La Muñeca = Quinceañera Doll
• Las Zapatillas = Heel Shoes
• Libro de Firmas = Guestbook
• Limo = Limo
• Los Aretes = Earrings (Gold)
• Musica = DJ/Band
• Padrinos de Honor = (usually the ones that pay for the Mass)
• Recuerdos = Favors/Keepsakes
• Salon = Hall
• Vestido de Quinceañera = Quinceañera Dress
• Video = Video

These tips were provided courtesy of :  

www.my15birthday.com