Damas and chambelanes are the girls and boys in her court of honor, who walk in with her and dance the waltz. The traditional court is seven damas and seven chambelanes plus her chambelán de honor, and many families choose a smaller court.
What are damas and chambelanes?
Damas and chambelanes are the girls and boys in her court of honor. The damas are usually her friends, cousins and sisters, and the chambelanes are their partners for the dances. The court walks in before her, dances the waltz with her and often performs a surprise dance. On the day, the court usually goes to the Mass with her, poses for photos and sits together near the head table.
Her chambelán de honor is her own partner. He escorts her at the entrance and dances with her in the court's waltz.
How many damas and chambelanes should she have?
The traditional court has 14 members, seven damas and seven chambelanes, plus her chambelán de honor. Many families choose a smaller court, and some have only chambelanes.
Pick a number that fits your budget and your calendar. Each extra pair is two more outfits, two more families to call and two more people who have to make every rehearsal. Plan an even number of damas and chambelanes so every dancer has a partner.
Some families hire chambelanes from a dance company that brings trained dancers and a routine. Those companies quote a price for the whole group, so ask for a written quote.
Who should she pick for her court?
She should pick friends and family she'd want next to her in the photos for years. The court will spend months together at rehearsals, so reliability counts as much as closeness.
- Pick people who can make every rehearsal and who have a ride.
- Pick people close to her age, so the court feels like a group of friends.
- Talk with each parent before she asks a friend, because most of the court will be minors.
- Have a backup in mind for each spot. Plans change in a year.
Who is the chambelán de honor?
The chambelán de honor is her main escort for the quince. He's often a close friend, a cousin or a brother.
He walks in with her, dances with her in the waltz after her dad, stands next to her during the toast and sits near her at the head table. He also goes to every rehearsal, because the court's routine is built around the two of them.
How often does the court practice?
Most courts practice 6 to 12 times with a choreographer. Once a week for two to three months before her date covers it.
- Book the choreographer about 7 months before her quince.
- Choose one practice day and time with every family before the first rehearsal.
- Start the weekly practices two to three months before her date.
- Learn the waltz in the first practices, then the surprise dance.
- Have the damas practice in shoes like the ones they'll wear on the day.
- Hold a full run-through in the week of the quince, at the hall if they'll let you.
The guide to quinceañera traditions explains the waltz, the surprise dance and the other moments the court takes part in.
Agree up front with the families on what happens if someone misses practices. It's easier to say once at the start than to work out later.
Who pays for the court's dresses and outfits?
Each dama's family usually buys her dress, and each chambelán's family usually pays for his outfit. These are extra amounts each court family pays, outside the quince family's budget. Some hosts pay for everything, and some families split the cost, so agree early.
| Item | Who usually pays | Each, typical | Court of 7, typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dama's dress | Her family | $180 ($160 to $200) | About $1,260 |
| Chambelán's outfit | His family | $150 ($130 to $170) | About $1,050 |
| Choreographer and rehearsals | Quinceañera's family | One fee for the court | $800 to $1,000 |
A full tux rental for a chambelán runs higher, at about $150 to $300. Tell every family the price and the date to order by when you invite their child, so nobody is surprised. The quinceañera cost guide has the rest of the budget.
How do you keep the court organized?
Keep one contact list and one calendar for the whole court. With 14 young people and their parents, a missed message turns into a missed fitting.
- Make a contact list with every member's name, a parent's phone number and their sizes.
- Start a group chat that includes the parents.
- Share the rehearsal dates, the fitting dates and the day's schedule in one place.
- Set the dates to pay for or order the dresses and the outfits.
- Pick one parent to help you with reminders and rides.
The quinceañera planning checklist shows when to choose the court, book the choreographer and order the outfits.
The court page in the Su Quince planner keeps every member, their sizes and who has paid in one list.
Questions
How many damas and chambelanes are in a quinceañera?
The traditional number is seven damas and seven chambelanes plus her chambelán de honor. Many families choose fewer, and the size is up to her and your budget.
Do damas and chambelanes pay for their own outfits?
Usually, yes. A dama's family typically spends about $180 on her dress, and a chambelán's family about $150 on his outfit.
Can a quinceañera have only chambelanes?
Yes. Some quinceañeras have a court of chambelanes only. Her girlfriends can still help her get ready and sit close to her at the party.
When should she choose her court?
About 8 months before her date. That gives the families time to plan for the outfits and the rehearsals.