Quinceanera Party and Miss Quince Party Ideas!

Try these great resources for planning the perfect Sweet 15 Party, Quinceanera Party!

Planning Books

Celebrating a Quinceanera: A Latina's 15...
Quinceanera Means Sweet Fifteen
Quinceanera/Reina Valera Revision,...

Music CDs - great for your special dances!

Quinceanera De Oro
Quinceanera

There are several parts in the Quinceanera event, starting with a Holy Mass in which your Court of Honor and parents accompany you. You do a prayer of dedication, renew your baptismal vows, and give an offering of fresh roses to the Virgin Mary/Guadeloupe, among the standard Catholic Mass. This means you are now a woman to God and your parish.

Afterwards, there is a large reception. Your Court of Honor traditionally consists of fourteen couples and then you and your Chambelane de Honor make fifteen; each couple representing a year in your life.

The Damas, or ladies, all wear the same dress, usually a color complimenting the quinceanera's dress.

The Chambelanes, or gentleman, rent tuxedos and wear ties or bow ties matching the damas' dresses. They practice the waltz, a presentation ceremony, and if desirable, another choreographed dance, for ex. a merengue.

Then the final show, usually with encore. There is also a father/daughter dance, and the changing of the shoes. You wear flat shoes until the party, when your father changes them to heels. Both of these symbolize that he accepts your transition to womanhood. You also give a porcelain doll to your younger sister, representing your last toy. If you do not have a younger sister, you give the doll to one of your young female relatives.

Quinceanera Party Special Actitvities

-Special Scripture or Poem reading by a designated person
-Candle Lighting Ceremony (14 candles for the Court, parents, Godparents and the Quinceanera)
-Special music
-Signing of the Certificate (Godparents can personally sign)
-Acknowledgement and Recognition of other special people
-Special Prayer or Verse

Quinceanera Dance Program

After the Court is presented and then the Quinceanera, special dances are reserved as follows:
The first dance is a waltz danced with the Quinceanera and her father
The Court of Honor is presented
The Godparents join in
Lastly, the dance floor is open for guests
Males usually take turns dancing with the Quinceanera

After this presentation, the toast is given and the cake is served.

Quinceanera  Mass/Ceremony Options

The Quinceanera is accompanied by her parents and her godparents (padrinos). The Quinceanera is presented to the center of the altar for Mass. The service also includes the blessing of special gifts by the priest, scripture reading, music and song. It can be at this time or after the banquet, yet it is customery for the mother of the Quinceanera to place the tiara upon her daughter’s head, the father change her flat shoes to high heels and the Quinceanera gives her youngest sister (or parents) her porcelain doll. This is like the “cutting of the apron strings” where the Quinceanera becomes a young woman.
Food is a great part of the celebration. A menu of tamales, chicharrones, carnitas, tortillas, salsa, an entire buffet. Buffets work better with large numbers of guests and can be catered in from any local store or caterer. You can opt for a sit-down dinner, but it will be much more expensive and most of your guests would actually prefer something a little more informal, so they can eat as they wish instead of sitting down at a designated time.

You can find everything you need in the Online Party Store! Click here! Balloons, Columns, Gossamer, Favors, Cake Toppers and more!

Planning the perfect Quinceanera

It has become increasingly popular for girls to want to throw a themed party for their Quince.. and we can help!  Our theme collection grows daily and includes many of the most popular themes. Or email us today and we can customize something for your upcoming event!

Quinceanera Party Decorations

Decorating with Gossamer

Gossamer is an extremely light, non-woven "fabric" that is used to create wonderful ceilings and walls, to create gorgeous bows, and to wrap with. Gossamer drapes and swags beautifully, and is a decorating must-have for creating a number of different stunning looks. We carry gossamer in a widearray of colors, patterns, and metallics, and in widths and lengths to suit any party decorating need!

TENT-STYLE GOSSAMER CEILING
Suspend a 3' metal ring or a 3' circle of 1/2" plywood in the center of the area to be decorated. The distance above the floor is determined by personal preference, and ceiling height. If the gossamer strips that will make up the ceiling cannot be fastened directly to the outside walls of the room, run a wire around the room attached by inconspicuous screw eyes. The wire could be an all-purpose steel or aluminum decorating wire from a hardware or craft store. You could also use a monofilament line of 30 or 40 pound test.
Use 60" wide or 107" wide gossamer strips to run from the center to the outside walls. To determine the length of the gossamer strips, use a builder's or carpenter's measuring tape and measure from the center ring or plywood disc to the walls. Start by measuring the distance to the four corners - since those will be the longest strips. If your ring or circle is positioned correctly in the center of the room, you need only measure to one corner since all four will be the same. Allow additional gossamer to fasten around the ring or fasten on top of the circle and to fasten to the wall or around the wire.

Put up a test strip of gossamer to one corner. If you have a ring, gather the gossamer to 2" or 3" across, loop it around the ring and staple gossamer to itself. The stapled loop is on top of the strip of gossamer, out of sight. If you have a wooden disc, gather the gossamer the same way and use a staple gun to fasten it to the top of the disc. Carry the gossamer to the wall, loop it over the wire (or fasten it directly to the wall) and staple the gossamer in the same way - allowing for a swag or droop in the fabric.
At the outside wall, pleat or gather the gossamer to 1/2 its original width for the best appearance. The 60" wide gossamer should be 30" wide, the 107" wide gossamer should be 54" wide. 19" wide gossamer is not practical to use for ceilings in any but the smallest of rooms.

Measure additional strips and fill in the complete ceiling the same way.
SIDE-TO-SIDE GOSSAMER CEILING
Strips of gossamer of any length can be swagged across a room from one side to the other. If you cannot fasten the gossamer directly to the walls, attach wires along two opposite walls. Use screw eyes to hold the wires. A wire on each side of a room will allow you to create a single swag of gossamer from one side to another. An additional wire down the center of the room, parallel to the two side wires, will create a double swag. Three equally spaced wires will create four swags in the gossamer from one side of the room to the other.
60" or 107" wide gossamer make the most successful ceilings. At the outside wall, pleat or gather the gossamer to 1/2 its original width for the best appearance.
Strips of any width gossamer can also be attached to all four walls and woven in and out (basket-like) for an unusual ceiling treatment.
CREATING GOSSAMER BOWS
Use 19" wide gossamer to make bows from 18" wide to 24" wide. Cut a 6' length of 19" wide gossamer. Fold it in half the long way to 9 1/2" wide. Find the center of the gossamer (length). Fold the ends in to the center and overlap slightly. Staple the ends in place. Repeat the process with three more 6' lengths of gossamer. Line up the lengths one on top of another. Twist the top three lengths slightly at a few degrees of angle to create a wider bow. Staple all the lengths together. Cut a short piece of 19" wide gossamer, pleat and gather it to about 6" wide. Wrap it around the center of the lengths, pull it tight and staple it together in the back of the bow.
The same method can be used to make bows of any size, using 60" wide or 107" wide material.

The gossamer holds its shape beautifully. The bows have the same type of fullness that can only be created with wired ribbon, at a fraction of the cost.
COVERING WALLS WITH GOSSAMER
Any type of wall surface can be covered with gossamer. Gossamer looks best if slightly stretched and pleated. Pleat each gossamer strip to 1/2 its original width. Fasten the gossamer to a wall or run a wire at the top and bottom of the wall. Attach the wires at each end with a screw eye.
BRAIDING GOSSAMER
One, two or three colors of gossamer can be braided together to create roping to swag from walls or ceilings. Use 19" lengths of gossamer and gather them to approximately 2" wide. Braid the lengths of gossamer using the standard method. Staple the braid at each end to keep the lengths of gossamer in place.
GOSSAMER ROPE
An attractive, illuminated rope can be created by wrapping a strand of clear twinkle lights in a length of pleated gossamer. The pleated gossamer, with lights in the center, should be approximately 5" in diameter.
Tie the gossamer into sausage-like sections with curling ribbon pieces. Allow the ends of the knotted curling ribbon pieces to hang down several feet. Give extra curl to the ribbon lengths by pulling them over the open blade of a scissors.
Hang the gossamer rope in swags from walls or ceilings.
WRAPPING WITH GOSSAMER
Stretched, pleated gossamer can be effectively used to cover doors and columns, following the steps outlined for covering walls. Add gossamer bows or gossamer rope for easy-to-make accents.

Alternatives to Floral Centerpieces
CENTERPIECES WITH CANDLES:
Place three or more votive candleholders (clear, frosted or cracked ice) in the center of your tables or clustered together at evenly spaced intervals on a banquet type table. You can increase your brilliant light by placing a mirror under one or two of the votives. Place the other candles around the mirror and enjoy twice as much flickering light from the reflection. To add a bit more glitz and glimmer, sprinkle confetti or place gemstones around the votives. These will also reflect the light and add sparkle to your tables. Use a confetti color that coordinates with your theme colors. Finish off your centerpieces with your choice of votive candle color. Choose the color that works best with your color scheme and enjoy the fabulous scent that will fill the air.

A second option to consider is to use tapered candles. The elegant lines of taper candles can dress up any table. We recommend grouping them together in odd numbers 1,3,5, etc. At the base of the taper candles, place greenery, gemstones, wired garland, puddled gossamer, or confetti. Place fresh flower petals around the candles for an elegant touch.
If an enclosed flame is a must, try decorative candle lamps. These lamps can be personalized with the date and theme slogan of your party or can be left unimprinted. Place at the center of each table with flower petals, ivy strands, confetti or curled ribbon scattered at the base.
Floating candles make a beautiful centerpiece for any party table. Delicate candles in the shape of flowers, hearts or circles can easily be placed in bowls, snifters, or other wide-mouth glassware pieces. Simply fill each candle bowl with water (about halfway) and place a floating candle in each bowl. Add color to the centerpieces by placing a sprig of greenery or colorful confetti around the base of the glass. Add a few drops of food coloring to the water if you wish to tint it to match your theme colors. Another color option is to add gemstones inside the glass container.
luminarias provide an easy, very inexpensive centerpiece. The candlelight glows softly through the cutout openings for a dreamy effect. Set three or four down the center of a table, with confetti scattered between them, or set one at each place setting.

CENTERPIECES WITH BALLOONS:

Balloons are an affordable and easy product to use to create centerpieces. Select balloons and curling ribbon to match your theme colors. Inflate the balloons (always use an odd number-3, 5, or 7) with helium and let the colorful bouquets float above the table. Make sure the balloons float well above eye level so guests can easily see each other across the table. Secure the balloons by tying the ribbons to Mylar covered weights, floral vases, upside-down top hats, or other theme-related items.

If you prefer not to use helium, attach the balloons to balloon sticks and holders and create a bouquet with balloons. Fill a simple vase, metallic tote bag, or other colorful base with metallic shred, gemstones or brightly colored tissue.

UNIQUE CENTERPIECES:

Use a pedestal-style cake platter as a centerpiece to display a combination of flowers and fruits. For example, pears and apples blend beautifully with a mixture of white flowers. Around the base of the pedestal, tie a flowing streamer of gossamer or wired organza ribbon. The fruit can easily be added with toothpicks to a block, cone, or sphere of floral foam.
Place tall topiaries in hand-painted or sponged flowerpots. Fill the topiaries with sugared or fresh fruit, dried or wild flowers, or lemon leaves. Twist gossamer streamers from the top of the topiary to the base, and allow the streamers to flow 10-15" down the table.
Fill crystal or glass bowls with colorful glass ornaments to match your party theme colors. Place the bowl on a bed of metallic shred or confetti in complementary colors.
A goldfish bowl filled with little colorful fish is unique and guests can choose who takes the bowl home.
A large collage of photos featuring the guest of honor makes a wonderful and personal centerpiece idea.
Ice sculptures are perfect for winter gatherings.
Decorative oil lanterns (perfect for Western or Victorian themed parties).
Fine China teapots are great for Garden Parties, Tea Parties, Victorian Parties, or afternoon receptions.
Elegant feathers in theme colors make simple but elegant centerpieces.
Use gossamer bows to "gift-wrap" tables. Create a large bow in the middle of the table, and then drape the ends of the ribbon to the floor.
Silver bowls filled with exotic fruits make elegant and edible centerpieces.
A large ornate candelabra is both unique and grand.
Small statues of angels, Cupid, and other ancient figures are romantic. Sprinkle gold or silver confetti around the statues for extra glitz.
Spray paint seasonal fruits and/or vegetables (for example for a fall party, choose pumpkins, various gourds and autumn leaves) with either gold paint, or a color to complement your theme colors. Twist strands of gossamer streamers through the arranged pieces for a stunning effect.

CENTERPIECE BASES:

To create a simple color theme under your chosen centerpieces, cut squares, circles or other shapes of gossamer and layer them down the center of the table. As the gossamer overlaps, different color hues will be created to match your color theme.
Mirrors are a simple base piece to create the illusion of size. Place a single mirror or several mirrors together to start your centerpiece and add flowers, balloons, candles or other decorative elements.

Quinceanera Party  Favors

Rather than waiting until your guests are making their exit to give them a party favor, you can give your guests favors during the party, which will add color and fun! Select favors specific to your theme from one of our "themed" stores, and place them on the tables, or if you are decorating around a color theme, any of the following would be perfect: Glassware, Photo Frames, KeyTags, Snowglobes, Favor Boxes and more.

You can find everything you need in the Online Party Store! Click here!  Balloons, Columns, Gossamer, Favors, Cake Toppers and more!

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