Quinceaneras and Bah mitzvas
Your coming of age story deserves a Celebration!
The Quinceanera, is no ordinary teenage birthday party with pizza and pedicures, oh no. On this special day, a young girl becomes a young woman and is celebrated as a princess!
If you’re looking to create a unique quinceanera that still holds tradition, even on a budget, here are some tips to make that easy for you. For a traditional glamorous quinceanera, rent our chapel and hall for a full day, the same as a wedding party. For a more cost effective quinceanera, opt for a weekday celebration.
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It’s All About the Dress!
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Although the location and size of quinceaneras vary greatly, there are two things a birthday girl can’t go without: her full ball gown and sparkling tiara! Make sure your princess’ dress represents her individuality on her radiant day. (Did you know you can use color choice to represent parts of your personality?)
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Original traditions dictated that the dress was to be white, representing purity, but today a young woman picks any color dress she desires. Rich jeweled tones, soft pastels, bold patterns, and whimsical embellishments have all become options to represent a young girl’s flourishing personality.
Looking to save money on the gown of the evening? It’s not as hard as you may think. Discount bridal shops are a wonderful place for great deals on outfits for the entire Court.
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You can also check your local area for a Goodwill that has a bridal section. These gems are hard to come by, but when you find them, are filled with never-been-worn dresses that have been donated by bridal shops.
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If you want a one of a kind gown, and you need to keep it inexpensive, buy a plain, solid color dress and have a seamstress or friend who sews add embroidery or jeweled embellishments. Voila!
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Create a Grand Entrance
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From horse-drawn carriage arrivals to red carpet glamour, there is never a shortage of splendor when the birthday girl makes her grand entrance!
Whether you're planning an Enchanted Forest quince or bringing your guests to A Night in Paris, using a carpet runner is a simple way to create a dramatic entrance. You can line it with flowers, balloons, lights, really anything the birthday girl desires.
I’ve seen quinceanera themes range from masquerade balls to "pink ice attitude," which was basically cramming as much pink decor and rhinestones as possible under one roof. No matter the theme of the evening, one thing that remained the same was the anticipation of the birthday girl’s entrance.
Music is a subtle way to signal to everyone what's to come, and beyond that, it's a way for the entrance to have a soundtrack that reflects your personality. You could ask the guests to line the entrance with lit sparklers in hand, they could be tossing flower petals.
Whatever you decide, the entrance doesn't have to be extravagantly decorated for the moment to be special and significant.
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Trends, Traditions, and Individuality
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One of the most practiced traditions of the quince is the father-daughter dance. This is a time-honored tradition that brings everyone to sentimental tears.
For those who want a more modern spin, the dance can be shared between the mother and father to acknowledge both parents. I've also seen the birthday girl and her mother present and display a quilt they handmade together to symbolize their bond.
A separate rite of passage ceremony usually takes place during the quince, also. Traditionally, the birthday girl’s father removes her flat shoes and replaces them with high heels - symbolizing her transition from childhood to adulthood.
However, some girls want their quince to be more unique than traditional. (If you want to bring out the quirky parts of your personality, now is the time).
Let the theme of the quince guide its ceremonies. For instance, during the masquerade quince I attended, the birthday girl’s father removed the flowery mask she wore during her entrance and exchanged it for a more sophisticated one. The more specific it is to you, your family, and the special things about your personality, the more special it will feel.
Again, the mother of the birthday girl can be the one to perform these ceremonies, if the situation calls for it. Perhaps switching out a rhinestone headband for a dazzling tiara.
Every quince is unique to the family who celebrates it. Ceremonies can and will be modified to fit trends, preferences and even personal passions.
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Planning Ahead and More Ways To Save
If you’re planning a quinceanera, the cost can vary greatly and depends heavily on the number of guests and venue. Most parents begin saving for their daughter’s quince about a year before the event.
Luckily, there are many resources to help you plan, budget and keep track of spending while you design a unique quinceanera for the Queen of Fifteen!
If you’re looking to save money on catering expenses but want your guests to feel relaxed, have the Damas and Chambelanes serve food and drinks during dinner instead of hiring servers. This is an easy way to save money and a fun way for members of the court to mingle with the guests.
Members of the court are usually eager to help in any way they can!If you have a larger invitation list than budget, you can also save money on the cake. Have a small, elaborate tiered cake made for display, but serve your guests from a sheet cake or cupcakes in the same decor and flavor.
For more ideas on how to design a one of a kind celebration, try finding a quinceanera expo in your area! Expos offer information and great ways to save, fun giveaways, and connect you with lots of vendors all at once. You might even have your entire quince planned in one day!
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Every Birthday Girl Deserves Royal Treatment
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A quinceanera is meant to be a glamorous event, no matter the location, season or budget. Thanks to creative DIY projects and second-hand stores, even the most money-conscious family can make a beautiful event possible.
With a little research and innovation, you can create a stunning once in a lifetime celebration for a beautiful young woman who merits a grand entrance!
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