Planning a Quinceanera can be hard work!? We hope to ease the Quinceanera planning process by helping you in every way we can.Here's a list of things to get started on 1 to 2 years before the Quinceanera. Here is a useful list that will help you in the intricate task of planning a quinceanera! Print a list of what you should do one year before the quinceanera until the very special day!

1 to 2 Years Before Your Quinceanera:

• Determine your budget.
• Set the date for your Quinceanera.
• Book the chapel. (Don't forget to book a rehearsal so that the quinceanera, her court of honor and her family can have a walk-through before the big day.)
• Your coordinator will book the pastor/priest/minister.
• Your coordinator will provides information on reception site in order to book in advance.
• Your coordinator will setup caterer services if reception location does not offer on site catering.
• Your coordinator will provide information on the entertainment for the party: DJ, mariachi, and/or band.
• The Princess has a variety of transportation options for the quinceanera, her court of honor and family, from the church to the reception.
• The Princess coordinates professional photographers and/or videographers. (Make sure and check with the chapel on their policy about filming in the chapel.)
• The Princess has a variety of cake options for reception.
• The coordinator will help you determine your party theme or style. (This can be annything from a flower, a recent movie, or based on a hobby of the honoree.)
• Your coordinator will help you choose the main colors.
• Put together a preliminary guest list.
• Decide on sponsors/padrinos. (Who is paying for what? )
• Make a list of potential escort, damas, and chambelanes.

• Begin shopping for your Quinceanera dress and accessories. Ask you coordinator any suggestions.
• Decide on your honor escort and court of honor.
• Choose and order the damas dresses and accessories.
• Choose and order the chambelanes formal wear.
• Hire a choreographer or dance instructor to help you with the quinceanera waltz during the reception. Your coordinator may assist you with options.
• The Princess will follow-up on any rental services needed for the reception such as tent, chairs, tables, etc.
• Set a time to meet with ceremony officiant to discuss the quinceanera ceremony and your prefences.

• Choose and order Quinceanera Invitations.
• Purchase decorations for the Quinceanera celebration. Ask coordinator what is included in your package.
• Decide on and order quinceanera party favors .
• Draft ceremony and reception outline.
• Reserve hotel rooms for out of state guests.
• If needed, find who will do alterations on your quinceanera dress.

• Finalize guest list.
• Start addressing all quinceanera invitations.
• Touch bases with your coordinator regarding venders such as the photographer, florists, and musicians to go over any details.
• If you have not ordered your Quinceanera dress, make sure to do so as soon as possible!

• Begin mailing quinceanera invitations. 
• Make appointments for hair, makeup, and nails. Ask you coordinator for details.
• Start preparing your speech to thank your family and guests.
• Choose and prepare programs. (Optional)

• Have a formal Quinceanera picture taken with your quinceanera dress. 
• Purchase gifts for court of honor. 
• Select the music for the main waltz during the reception.
• Finish any final alterations needed on the quinceanera dress.

• Contact guests who have not responded. 
• Confirm guest total with caterer and review final food and beverage selections.
• Prepare reception seating chart and/or placecards. 
• Give photographer a list of shots you would like included.
• Give musicians a list of music for the reception.
• Make a list of all the items your need to take to the chapel. (candles, gifts, rosary, bible, etc..)

• Decorate ceremony and reception sites. (if neccessary)
• Have hair, makeup, and nails done.
• Prepare reception seating chart and/or placecards.
• Make sure to eat a healthy breakfast prior to the ceremony.?It might be a while before you eat again at the reception.
• Have someone keep an emergency kit with an extra pair of pantyhose, band-aids, makeup, and mini sewing kit.
• Get your checklist of items needed for the reception and ceremony and make sure you have everything before you leave.
• Relax and Have Fun! It's your Quinceanera!

Quinceañera Ceremony - 15 year old Latina young women

The Princess Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas is now offering Quinceanera ceremonies and celebrations for 15 year old Latina young women, complete with tiara, last doll, and other traditional elements. The minister for the ceremony is nondenominational or you can bring a Catholic priest to officiate. The birthday girl can have a Spanish language ceremony or speaking in English or a little of both! Foothills Wedding Chapel is a perfect church setting. It holds 200 people, and we have a small banquet room downstairs for the party that holds 80.

Information here is collected from the Internet.

Introduction

The Quincea era or Quinceaneros is, in some Spanish-speaking regions of the Americas, a young woman's celebration of her fifteenth birthday, which is celebrated in a unique and different way from her other birthdays. In some countries, such as Puerto Rico or Peru, the word Quinceanero is used instead of Quinceanera when referring to the celebration.

The word is also used to refer to the young woman whose 15th birthday is being celebrated. The closest equivalents to the Quinceanera in the English-speaking world are the sweet sixteen or, in more affluent communities, a debutante ball at the age of eighteen. In some cases, the birthday girl has a choice of a quinceanera, a trip, or a car.

Celebration

This celebration marks the transition from the childhood to womanhood. It serves as a way to acknowledge that a young woman has reached maturity.

While this traditional celebration is still practiced nowadays in Latin America and Latino communities in North America, it is sometimes observed by other events that focus more on the quinceanera's wishes (e.g. world traveling). However, in some cities the Baile de las Debutantes (Debutantes' Ball) is also celebrated.

Some other traditions observed in the celebration include the giving and throwing of a quince doll. The display doll signifies the young lady's last doll as a child and the throwing doll, usually a Barbie type or any other is fine too, is thrown by the young lady to the other female children in attendance much as the garter is thrown in a wedding. The celebrant is wearing flats, or flat shoes for the celebration but after the inaugural dance the father of the young lady, who is sitting in a chair in the center of the dance floor, removes her flats (girls shoes) and puts her high heels on signifying her becoming a young lady.

The traditional color of a quinceanera's dress is pink but now in modern cultures the guest of honor picks the color of the dress. She also wears a tiara because she is a princess in God's eyes that night. She holds a court with 14 girls (damas) and 15 boys (chambelanes) which including herself would equal 30 people, or, 15 couples (to represent each year). At the party the court does a waltz and a surprise dance. The girl also dances with her father but first changes from flats to heels to represent the first time she can wear them (the same with makeup). She could also get a doll with the exact same dress she has on to signify that this will be the last doll she ever will receive. In the past the party would show the girl is ready to be married, but now in today's culture it is so the girl can date.

Ministers first Meeting:

1) Meet with the family. Choose Scripture readings and discuss the course of the ceremony. Review the ceremony from beginning to end.

2) Prepare the prayers and Scripture readings. The pastor usually welcomes all attendees with a prayer asking for God's blessing. After the blessing, the readings chosen by the family are read to the congregation.

Ceremony Outline

1) Entrance Procession

2) First Reading - Quinceañera

A Reading from the Book of Jeremiah

Jeremiah 1:5 - The word of the LORD came to me thus:

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations,

I appointed you.


Psalm 119:9 - How can I keep my way pure before YOU LORD?

By living according to YOUR word.

I seek YOU with ALL my heart;

do not let me stray from YOUR commands.

I have hidden YOUR word in my heart that I might not sin against YOU.

Praise be to YOU, O Lord; teach me YOUR decrees.

With my lips I recount all the laws that come from YOUR mouth.

I rejoice in following YOUR statutes as one rejoices in great riches.

I meditate on YOUR precepts and consider YOUR ways.

I delight in YOUR decrees; I will not neglect YOUR word.

3) Second Reading

Jer. 1:6-9 - Then said I: “Ah, Lord God!

Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.”

 But the Lord said to me: "Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’

For you shall go to all to whom I send you,

And whatever I command you, you shall speak.

Do not be afraid of their faces,

For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord.

Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me:

"Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.

4) Third Reading: from Paul to the Corinthians

1 Cor. 13:1-7 - If I speak with the human tongues and angelic as well, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong, a clanging symbol. If I have the gift of prophecy and, with full knowledge, comprehend al mysteries, if I have faith great enough to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give everything I have to feed the poor and hand over my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

5) Fourth Reading - Quinceañera

1 Cor. 13:11-13 - When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a woman, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

This is the Word of the Lord.

6) Dedication Ceremony - Lighting of the Candle
The Quinceanera's Prayer of Dedication - Allow the girl of honor to take the pulpit. She may renew her baptismal vows, if desired, then she will lead the congregation in a thanksgiving prayer or dedication. She will then relight her baptismal candle.

I offer you, O Lord, my youth. Guide my steps, my actions, my thoughts. Grant me the grace to understand your new commandment to love one another, and may your grace not be wasted in me. I ask you this through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Savior and Redeemer.
Oh, God, my Father, present my offering and my life to you Lord: by my model of a valiant woman by my mother, my strength and my guide. You have the power to change hearts: take mine now and make me a worthy daughter of yours. Amen.

7) Blessing of Gifts:
Lord, bless the bearer of this Bible, rosary, cross, medal, flowers, all these things which we bless in your name that they may be a source of joy for (name) in her journey to you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

8) Presenting of the Gifts - Allow the parents and sponsors to present gifts to the guest of honor. Five gifts commonly are presented at a spiritual quinceanera celebration: a Bible, crown, cross necklace, ring and earrings.

Presentation of the Bible (with admonition from minister).
Presentation of the Crown (Tiara).
Presentation of a Cross Necklace or Medal
Presentation of the Bracelet or ring.
Presentation of the Earings.

Acceptance by the Community (applause)

The girl of honor's father will change her shoes from flats to heels to represent her transition to womanhood.
 
9) Expression of Gratitude by parents
All say "Thanks be to God in the name of Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen!" (the quinceaneras place the candles back on the stand, take the bouquet of fresh roses, and go to Mary's altar with their parents.)

10) Minister's Prayer

11) Final Blessing and Recessional
 
12) Final Blessing:
(Name), may the Lord bless you and keep you. (all say). Amen.
May he let his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. (all say) Amen.
May he look upon you kindly and give you his peace. (all say) Amen.
And may the blessing of almighty God, Father + Son and Holy Spirit, descend upon you and remain with you forever. (all say) Amen.

May he free you from all anxiety
and strengthen your heart in his love. (all say) Amen.
May he enrich you with his gifts of faith, hope and love,
so that what you do in this life will bring you to the happiness of everlasting life. (all say) Amen.
And may the blessing of almighty God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, descend upon you and remain with you forever. (all say) Amén.

Dismissal (The minister may invite the quinceañera and her parents for a picture before the dismissal.):
With the joy of this day, go in the peace of Christ to love and serve the Lord. (all say) Thanks be to God.

There are some aspects that are common to all Quinceaneras.

Two little kids are chosen to carry the pillows. The boy carries a pillow with the shoes, her first high heels, and the little girl carries a heart-shaped pillow with the crown.

The most symbolic act during the Quincea era is the changing of the shoes. The girl’s father switches her shoes, from the flats she arrived in, to the high heels she will leave in. Shoes and crowns play a pivotal role in the birthday girl’s transformation in the eyes of the community from girl to young woman.

At the fiesta, the father dances with his daughter and then the mother takes her and dances with her until they get to the make-believe throne. The crown is put on her head by the mother, and when the girl is sitting, the father comes and takes off her sandals and puts on the high heels. Then the father takes his princess out to dance again and from there the party continues.

Maintaining tradition takes work and Panchita does what she can to make a girl’s sweet fifteenth birthday a special one, including working closely with the girl and her family.

Traditional Gifts

1. Traditional Gifts to the Quinceanera have special meaning for the celebration, and their honored significance relates to the Quinceanera's coming of age. The Traditional Gifts are special signs of loyalty and commitment to God, family and the community. Where the celebration includes the Mass of Thanksgiving, the gifts are presented to the priest for special blessings.

TIARA
Denotes a "princess" before God and the world; a triumph over childhood and ability to face the challenges ahead.

BRACELET or RING
Representing the unending circle of life, it symbolizes the unending emergence of the young woman's abilities and future contributions to society.

EARRINGS
A reminder to listen to the word of God, and always hear and respond to the world around her.

CROSS or MEDAL
Signifies faith - in God, in herself, and in her world.

BIBLE
Important resources to keep the word of God in her life.
In some Hispanic cultures, the gifts are given to the Quinceanera by "padrinos" (also called godparents or sponsors) specially chosen by the family. The padrinos who give the Traditional Gifts are formally recognized, and often are part of the procession for either the church or reception ceremony, or do the presentation of the gifts to the priest for the blessing.

The TIARA also plays a role in the actual Quinceanera ceremony.

It is traditional for the headpiece worn by the Quinceanera to be ceremoniously replaced with the TIARA. The "crowning" is done either by her parents or the godparent presenting the gift. A scepter is also presented to the Quinceanera at the same time. The scepter, being an emblem of authority, signifies authority (and responsibility) now being given to the young woman for her life. This ceremony usually takes place at the reception.
The Traditional Quinceanera Gifts are the distinctive, precious treasures for the ceremony; a cherished custom that highlights the Quinceanera celebration.

Prayers of the Faithful:
Loving Father, with (name) in this celebration of her fifteen years of life, we offer these sincere prayers:
1. For our bothers and sisters who live in poverty, that we might help one another and that civil authorities might concern themselves for the most vulnerable among us, we pray to the Lord.
2. For (name), who thanks you for the gift of life, and for all our young people that they might always honor their parents and be protected by God, we pray to the Lord.
3. For the parents and sponsors of (name) and for those who have guided and helped her, we pray to the Lord.
4. That our young people discover their vocation and have the courage to follow it, we pray to the Lord.
5. For our deceased relatives, that they might rest in the peace of Christ, and receive the reward of eternal life, we pray to the Lord.
7. In a moment of silence, we remember our personal intentions (pause for ten seconds), we pray to the Lord.
Gracious Father, you always love us, your children. Listen to the needs we present to you, asking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints. Through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.