When it comes to a Quinceañera, you can either hire a Quinceañera party planner or do it yourself! The party is also called a Quince or Quince Años because the birthday girl is turning 15 and is a huge party as well as rite of passage. It’s one of the biggest parties a girl will have in her life, except maybe for her wedding. A Quinceañera requires a lot of planning as well! Read on to find out more!

The Planning Stage & Budget

For this, you’ll have to assemble a team. Go it alone if you like, but having an extra set of hands never hurt. This is where you’re going to plan out everything you’re going to do. Figure out the budget from the start. That will allow you to plan everything else. You can still throw a great party without having a massive budget. You can swap out the DJ for an ipod playlist and speakers, the catering for homemade food, the expensive dress for one that’s homemade.

Picking a Date & Time

It’s best to pick a date for the party that most people will be able to attend. Check with family members and see if anyone’s going to be out of town or have obligations for certain weekends. You may be able to schedule everything so that the majority of family is able to come. Letting them know ahead of time and then sending out the invites will allow them to save the date (or consider sending out ‘save the date’ cards out months earlier to be safe). Be sure to set a time too.

Planning for the Birthday Girl

You’ll also have to plan for the lady of the hour herself. The birthday girl usually wears a formal ballgown that is very fancy and you may need a formal pink or white dress and an altar for the ceremony before the party, if you are doing one. If you are, the festejada (or birthday girl) will often leave flowers for the Virgen de Guadalupe as well. You may need flowers for that! The birthday girl will also need to have her dress fitted and planned months in advance, so keep that in mind.

Picking a Location

Whether you’re renting a space, a hall, throwing it in the park or the backyard, you need a place to hold the Quinceañera. Anywhere will do as long as there is enough space and you’re going to be able to throw a party without interruption. Keep in mind the times the party will be thrown and whether the space will accommodate everything you need.

Decorations, Music, and Dolls

Don’t forget the decorations and music! They are a big part of any Quinceañera. Some parties have themes, so you’ll need to match the decor to the theme if there is one. Make sure there’s music– whether live, DJ’d, or from a playlist, it helps set the tone. This is a celebration! Don’t forget the doll, a porcelain one that is usually designed to look like the birthday girl that she will formally pass on to a younger family member.

Invitations

Send out invitations at least six to eight weeks before the party and make sure everyone has a way to RSVP so you know how many people are coming– it’ll help with the event party planning.

Food & Drinks

You can’t forget the food and drinks! You may choose to have traditional food or just want to have a caterer take care of it all. Food and drinks are essential. Make sure that you not only buy/arrange enough for everybody but have options for diabetic, vegetarian, or gluten-free. Include alcoholic drinks if you want them there as well.

Once you’ve planned the party, all you have to do is throw it. Enjoy the fruits of your labor and know that you helped make a girl’s rite of passage special for her. At the end of the day, all your hard work will be worth it. Congratulate yourself on a job well done!