Guide to a Perfect Quinceañero

Most of the questions we receive at Sonia's Bridal deal with planning a quinceañero. Why is this such an important question? Because most people have never planned a quinceañero before, they don't know what to do, where to start, or how much money they will need.

Below, I will give you a brief summary of how to get started and what to expect when planning a quinceañero. In addition, I will provide you with a quinceañero planner that will lead you all the way to that very important day.


1. When do I start?
I recommend beginning at least one year before the party or birthday. This does not mean that if your quinceañero is less than one year away, you cannot celebrate it; one year is just the preferred time to begin planning.


2. What is my budget?
Creating the budget, for most people, is the least favorite part of planning. The other least favorite thing to do is to stay within the budget. The reason that creating a budget is so important is because it forces you to sit down and think about the type of party you want and the type of party you can afford. Using Sonia's quinceañero package will allow you to estimate the cost and will help you decide which items you will need.
It is important to be realistic when creating your budget. The truth is, everyone wants an exceptional quinceañero celebration. What you want to avoid is getting in over your head and bringing you and your family financial hardship after the celebration. So create a budgetbefore spending any money, and stick to the budget.


3. What type of quinceañero do I want?
Here, you want to think about themes, things of interest, or ideas you have been dreaming about. Be creative and honest. Do research on the Internet, browse magazines, and visit expos. You can also find information in bridal magazines.


4. Where will I hold the celebration?
Choosing the place where your quinceañero will be celebrated is extremely important and is definitely one of the primary things to do. Since most places book up early (usually a year in advance) you should make this one of your top priorities. To start, visit various places to get an idea of what each reception hall has to offer.

While making your visits, consider these factors:

Location: Will it be easy for your guests to reach and find the reception hall?

Parking: Is there enough parking for the number of guests you are planning to have?

Size: Can the facility hold the expected number of guests?

Function rooms: Are there several function rooms in the same facility? Will the noise level from another room be heard in your room?

Budget: Will the cost fall within your budget?

Amenities: Can the facility accommodate any special requests you may have?

Extras: Does this facility have any extra amenities that the others do not (for example, a changing room, an area for hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, etc.)


5. Will we celebrate mass at the church?
Traditionally, the quinceañera celebrates a mass or a blessing at the local church. Today, some quinceañero planners decide to forego the church blessing and host the entire celebration at the reception hall. If you decide to celebrate the mass at a church, you will want to speak to a church representative as soon as possible because some churches no longer celebrate the quinceañero mass.


6. Who will be in the quinceañera's court?
Selecting the quinceañera's dress is definitely important, but what about the court? How many people will be included? Which friends and family members will form part of the court? What type of dresses and tuxedos will they wear? Which color combinations will you choose to coordinate with your party's theme?

These are just some of the topics to think about as you plan your quinceañero celebration.

For a complete guide to Planning a Quinceañero party
click here.