A quinceañera starts with the misa de acción de gracias and a grand entrance at the hall. Then come the shoe change, the crowning, the last doll, the father-daughter waltz, the surprise dance, the toast and the hora loca.
What happens at a quinceañera, in order?
A quinceañera usually starts with a Mass and ends with a party, with the traditions in between. Traditions differ by country, by region and by family, so every quince looks a little different. This is a common order for the day.
- The misa de acción de gracias, the Mass of thanksgiving.
- Photos with the family, the padrinos and the court.
- The grand entrance at the hall.
- Dinner.
- The shoe change, the crowning and the last doll.
- The brindis, or toast.
- The waltz with her dad, then with the court.
- The surprise dance.
- Cutting the cake.
- Open dancing and the hora loca.
What is the misa de acción de gracias?
The misa de acción de gracias is a Catholic Mass where she gives thanks for her 15 years and receives a blessing. The U.S. Catholic bishops approved an Order for the Blessing on the Fifteenth Birthday in 2007, and it can be celebrated within a Mass or outside of one.
During the Mass, the priest can bless the Bible, the rosary and the medal her padrinos give her. Many quinceañeras leave a bouquet for the Virgin Mary at the end.
To arrange it, call your parish about a year ahead. Ask about open dates, preparation classes and the fees. Su Quince's data puts the Mass at $150 to $1,500, with a typical $400. Families from other churches often hold a blessing at their own church.
What is the grand entrance?
The grand entrance is when the court and the quinceañera are introduced at the hall. The damas and chambelanes walk in by pairs, her parents and padrinos are announced, and then she walks in last.
She usually walks in with her chambelán de honor or her dad. Give the DJ a written list of every name in order, with a note on how to say any name that's easy to get wrong. Pick the song for her entrance ahead of time.
What are the shoe change, the crowning and the last doll?
These three short moments mark her step from girl to young woman. They usually happen together, after dinner and before the waltz.
In the shoe change, she sits in a chair and her dad takes off her flat shoes and puts on her heels. The padrinos de zapatillas usually give the heels, which typically cost about $90.
In the crowning, her parents or her padrinos de corona put a tiara on her head. A tiara typically costs about $75, and the range is $30 to $200.
In the last doll, she receives a doll, often dressed to match her. The doll stands for the end of her childhood, and many quinceañeras give it to a younger sister or cousin. A last doll typically costs about $90.
Put a chair, her heels, the tiara and the doll on one small table near the dance floor before dinner. Then nobody has to run to the car in the middle of the program.
What is the father-daughter waltz?
The father-daughter waltz, or vals, is her first formal dance as a young woman. She dances first with her dad, then with her chambelán de honor, and then the whole court joins in.
Some families add a dance where the grandfathers, the uncles and the padrinos each take a turn with her. If her dad can't be there, a grandfather, an uncle, a brother, a padrino or her mom can dance the vals with her.
The choreographer teaches the waltz in the first rehearsals. Choose the song early, because the steps are counted to it.
What is the surprise dance?
The surprise dance, or baile sorpresa, is a fast, modern routine she performs with her court. It usually follows the waltz and mixes several songs she picks.
Many quinceañeras change into a second, shorter dress for the surprise dance, which costs $100 to $800. Give the DJ the final song mix on a flash drive and by email, and have the court rehearse in the shoes they'll dance in.
What happens at the brindis?
At the brindis, her parents or her padrinos de honor give a short toast and the guests raise their glasses to her. The padrinos de brindis usually give the toast glasses for her and her parents.
She's 15, so she toasts with a drink without alcohol, like sparkling cider. Decide who will speak, ask the DJ for a microphone and pour the drinks before the toast starts. Toast glasses and the drink typically cost about $120.
What is the hora loca?
The hora loca is a burst of fast music late in the party. The DJ hands out hats, glasses, glow sticks and noisemakers, and some families add costumed dancers or performers.
Ask whether your DJ includes the hora loca and the lighting, since some DJ packages do. Put it on the schedule after the cake, when the guests are ready to dance again.
To keep every moment on the night's schedule, the Su Quince planner lists each tradition with its song, its people and its items. The quinceañera padrinos list shows who usually gives each item, and the guide to damas and chambelanes covers the court.
Questions
Does a quinceañera have to include a Mass?
No. Many families start with a Mass or a church blessing, and others hold only the party. A Mass is a choice for your family and your faith.
Who changes the quinceañera's shoes?
Her dad usually does. A grandfather, an uncle, a brother or a padrino can do it if her dad isn't there.
What does the last doll mean?
The last doll stands for the last toy of her childhood. She often keeps it as a memory or gives it to a younger girl in the family.
Which tradition needs the most practice?
The waltz and the surprise dance do. Plan 6 to 12 rehearsals with a choreographer, once a week for two to three months.