EDITORIAL
SPRING EDITION 2018
Una vez más damos gracias a Dios por la oportunidad de ir a todos nuestros lectores entregandoles el resultado de meses de trabajo y pasión. Estamos dejando esta guía en manos de quienes estan próximos a su día especial y tienen ese sentimiento de ansiedad por querer que todo salga bien. Weddings and Quinceañeras Magazine nos convertimos en ese apoyo, para que con esta guía conozcas todo lo que deben saber. El deseo de hacer de tu evento un día inolvidable llegó; es ese gran momento que has estado imaginando desde que jugabas a las muñecas: ¡tus quince! Y quieres un vestido que te haga lucir y sentir como una reina. Una cena inolvidable, que el lugar brille y sea de sueño y lo cierto es que ese gran día es como un sueño y por esa razón necesitas encontrar un traje que cuando te lo pongas te haga experimentar un torbellino de felicidad; ese atuendo con el que al mirar tu reflejo en el espejo te haga ver como la princesa de tu cuento de hadas favorito; ese vestido tan lindo que sabes que es el ¡tuyo! Lo que debes tener claro es que este es un proceso largo y merece toda tu dedicación. Puedes inspirarte en nuestros articulos y clientes especializados para ir observando la variedad de modelos y características. Lo ideal es probarse tantos modelos de vestido, salones, comida, bailarines y todo como sea posible y para eso estamos aquí! Para guiarte!
EQUIPO
Presidente Gladys Carreño Vice-Presidente Angel Patiño Directora General EXPO Diana Correa Asist. de Presidencia Paula Pinzón Gerente Administrativo Juan D. Contreras Asist. Administrativo Camilo A. Correa Gerente Karen A. Contreras Asist. Gerencia Francisco J. Correa Servicio al Cliente Diana Correa Asist. Servicio al Cliente Camila Contreras Contador JJ Multiservice, Inc. Diseñador Jonathan Lareo Web Master Erza TV
EN EL COVER
Edición Angel Patiño Distribución La Misión Import
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Todos los derechos reservados. Prohibida la reproducción total ó parcial de los artículos, ilustraciones, imágenes, fotos y demas contenidos. La dirección no se hace responsable de las opiniones, textos y fotografías publicadas en Weddings & Quinceañeras Magazine. Contenido publicitario es responsabilidad de los pautantes. El editor se reserva el derecho de publicar cualquier anuncio que juzgue inconveniente y de cancelar cualquier contrato publicitario con contenido o descripción de carácter inapropiado. 12
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CONTENIDO
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RECEPTION HALL
10 Things to consider when choosing
Your Reception Venue
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With so many reception venues available, you’d think choosing one would be simple, but it never is. There are so many factors to consider when choosing where to hold your reception and, if even one doesn’t suit your requirements, it’s usually enough to have that reception centre, garden or church hall struck off the list.
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So, to avoid the disappointment of having to see – and then reject – what seems like the perfect reception venue, here are 10 questions that you should have the answers to before you go venue hunting.
1. Is the venue available? This is the most important factor to consider when choosing a reception venue. Some venues and public gardens are booked years in advance, especially around holidays or for particularly special days such as Valentine’s Day. If your venue of choice is not available on the date of your day and you’re dead set on holding your ceremony or reception there, you will either need to change your date or search for a new venue. Once you have found the perfect venue and and know it is free, book it immediately to ensure nobody else books it for your big day.
2. Is the size appropriate for your guest list? Picking a venue that is the right size for your festivities is essential when planning your reception. The last thing you want to do is have your guest sitting cheek to jowl because your venue was too small for the group you are inviting. Pay special attention to the capacity of any venue you are looking at before booking and ensure that it has space for the activities you’re planning on holding.
3. Is it friendly to your budget? There are countless venues to choose from for your reception, and some will be more appealing. However, the reality is not every venue will fit within your budget. Determine what you can afford per head before contacting venues as this will avoid the frustrations of falling in love with a venue you simply cannot afford.
4. Is there nearby accommodations for guests? If you are planning on holding your reception somewhere a little further out than usual or if you have lots of guests coming from overseas or interstate, consider whether your venue has its own accommodation or is near accommodation that will allow your guests to stay overnight. It’s one thing to hold your dream in a charming castle or country estate, but if your guests are unable to call taxis afterwards or get to accommodation, especially if they’ve been drinking, it will end the evening badly and you don’t want your guests being unsafe.
5. Is there in-house catering? Whether you are going to serve a full four-course dinner or have some type of buffet with snacks, you need to know if the venue you are looking at has an in-house catering service. If they do, can they provide you with menu options to suit your guests, including vegetarians, gluten-intolerant guests. If there is no in-house catering, you will need to add another job to your list, finding a caterer.
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6. Is access to the venue easy? We’ve talked about an aspect of this factor above, but location isn’t the only consideration. Is the venue you are looking to book easy to find? If it is located too close to busy streets? Will that cause unnecessary frustrations to the wedding party and the guests? Try not to book a reception venue that is too far from the venue as convenience is crucial for you and your guests, but it’s likely you’ll be taken care of as far as transport is concerned. This won’t necessarily be the case for guests who don’t have transport etc.
7. Is there sufficient parking? Is there adequate parking for all of your guests? If parking is lacking, find a nearby parking lot available on your date where you can, perhaps, organise a shuttle service to your venue. Again, there are safety concerns too, as you don’t want your guests wandering the streets or in lonely car parks in the wee hours.
8. Are tables, chairs, and other essentials provided? When choosing your venue, don’t assume everything you see in the pictures is included. While most venues will provide chairs and tables, extra costs may be involved when it comes to dancefloors, cutlery and glasses as well as table decorations and linen. And not all venues will provide these things, so be sure to ask what is included and what you must source yourself.
9. Can I serve alcohol? Find out if your reception venue allow couples to serve alcohol. Permits are required in many circumstances and, without one, you won’t be able to serve any alcohol. Some venues require the couple to source their own permit. Also, check if you can bring in your own alcohol. Many venues don’t allow you to bring in your own alcohol.
10. Are there back-up plans in the event of an unexpected weather incident? When it comes to outdoor receptions, whether you’re holding it in a public garden or a physical reception venue, be sure to ask whether there are any wet weather options in the event it rains or is too hot or a storm develops etc. While most venues have other rooms that you can run into in the event of an unexpected weather incident, in some places, you’ll need to organise a marquee or some sort of back-up yourself.
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BRIDAL & QUINCEAĂ‘ERA BOUTIQUE
Choose your own style
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Over High Fashion
If you buy a dress that is ultra trendy you can guarantee it will date your day photos, and it may prevent you looking as bridal as you would like. Instead of choosing a gown because it is fashionable, choose one that you love and that makes you look and feel wonderful.It is better to add your own personal character to a simple dress using jewellery, shoes and other accessories, than to take a outfit directly off the wedding catwalks and regret it later.
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Determine Your Colors To determine your colors, you need to assess your hair, skin and eye color as well as what colors you feel you look the best in. Determining your “season” can introduce you to a whole new palette of colors! The point of doing this is to use these colors as a guide while shopping so that you can select the pieces that will look best on you. I’m a summer, what are you?
Choose a Style Trademark A style trademark is something that you either wear every day or simply an aesthetic that you are known for. It’s that piece that your friend texts you about and says, “I was wearing today and I felt just like you!” Usually, a signature item or style chooses you, because it’s just something that you love so much you have to wear it all the time. But it helps to think about what you value, what you find aesthetically pleasing, and what you love to wear most. Personally, my signatures are bold nautical stripes and Sperry Topsiders. What’s your signature?
Embrace Your Shape Although we’re big proponents of wearing what you want regardless of your body shape, learning to dress for your body type can be a good jumping off point when developing your style. Knowing how to highlight your best features can save you time and take your look from average to amazing. The most important thing you can do when studying your shape is to stay positive. Dressing well is all about having an underlying layer of confidence, and if you are overly critical of your body, you undermine that. Don’t tell yourself that you have a pudgy stomach - instead, remind yourself that you have a tiny waist, or beautiful legs, or a shapely chest, or amazing arms - you get the idea. Highlight your assets and embrace your body as it is!
Create a Personal “Look Book” or Inspiration Folder A great aid for honing in your style, and also a really fun project, is creating a personal look book of your favorite past outfits. By documenting your style on a daily basis, whether by starting a style blog or just saving photos on your computer, you start to get a sense for which outfits you like best, and which pieces look best on you. It’s a fantastic way to document your look as it evolves. Another idea is to start an inspiration folder or inspiration binder to keep track of your fashion inspiration. I created my own book by grabbing a sturdy notebook and collaging photos that I like. I’d cut pictures from magazines, print from Pinterest. Before I go shopping, I take review my book to remind myself what I like, what I’m looking for, and how I want to dress. Sometimes I’ll even take it shopping with me!
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MAKEUP & HAIR STYLIST
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How to do
Quinceanera Makeup
Guess what every girl dreams of. That she will be wearing a long puffy dress and get her hair and makeup done up by professionals. Sounds exciting and nervous, is it?
But when ‘quince’ day is nearing, you have to see that your quinceanera makeup matches the color of your dress. Quinceanera is celebrated when a girl turns 15, a transition from childhood to adulthood. And it is celebrated with pomp and gaiety. Since it is a jolly and cheerful occasion, the Quinceanera queen must be dressed up and made up accordingly!
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Put your worries to rest as I share with you quinceanera makeup ideas, quinceanera makeup looks, quinceanera eye makeup, quinceanera makeup and hair, quinceanera makeup tutorial to go with your quinceanera dress.
Cute and easy, this elegant look for quinceanera has everything for you to fall in for – there are pink lip and shadow, and liquid winged eyeliner and mascara. A cross between prom look and quinceanera, look how the face is beautifully accented with ringlet hairstyle and headband. Now let us have a look at how various colours of quinceanera dress could give you the quinceanera makeup goals. If you opt on wearing a bright pink lipstick, then a neutral brown eye shadow would be the best.
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INVITATIONS & MORE
12 Questions to ask when ordering
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Your Quinceañera Invitations
Letterpress, thermography, engraved, matte, jacquard, glassine … Ordering invites will mean learning a few new vocabulary words. You’ll also need to learn about all the components that you might want to include in your invitation, as well as what other printed materials could be part of your scenario. With so many details to consider, you’ll depend on a creative invitation professional to clue you in on the jargon, and guide you in choosing invites that reflect your style. After all, nothing sets the tone for an event like an impeccably designed invitation.
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Getting To Know Your Invitation 1. How long have you been in business? 2. What is your design background? NOTE: This may or may not involve formal training. Remember, “good taste” isn’t necessarily something that can be taught! 3. What types of printing processes do you offer and which do you specialize in? Which do you recommend for my budget and style? 4. Is your printing done in-house or do you outsource it? 5. Do you offer custom invitations as well as templated styles? Is there a fee if I want to order a sample of either an existing invitation style or a custom design? If so, how much? 6. If I choose a custom wedding invitation, what are my options for color, paper type, ink and fonts? What is the word limit for the text? 7. Can I also order my table numbers, place cards, escort cards, ceremony programs, menus, etc. from you? 8. Do you offer a package or a discounted price if I order all of the invitation components at the same time? (Here’s a complete list of what might be included.) 9. If I want to include a picture or graphic on my savethe-date card or invitation, can you accommodate that? If so, does the image need to be saved in a specific format? Do you have photo retouching available, and if so, what is the price range? Can your photo specialist also convert color images to black & white or sepia? Is there an additional cost? 10. Are there any new styles, trends and color combinations I might consider? Which are the most popular? What kinds of handmade or artisanal paper do you offer? NOTE: The answers to these questions will give you a sense of how creative and up-to-theminute your invitation professional is. 11. Can my invitations be printed on recycled paper and/or with soy-based ink? 12. Based on the paper I select and the number of pieces involved, what would it cost to mail my wedding invitation?
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CATERING EXPERTS
4 Insider tips for Choosing
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the Right Caterer
Practically every caterer has a standard menu or menus to choose from, and many do provide some level of built-in flexibility to adapt these menus to your specific needs by substituting specific items and/or customizing others. “Any caterer who has been in the industry and knows what they are doing should have a few different menu options that are constantly being updated and changing to keep up with current trends�
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#1 Willingness to Provide Tastings How will you ever know what a caterer can do unless you sample their goods? And more specifically, how will you know what the menu items you are considering will taste like unless you specifically try them? Some people shy away from asking to sample the specific items they want for their event because it seems like a hassle for the caterer, but it is standard to ask for a sampling of what you are intending to order before you sign on the dotted line. In addition, you can request wine parings for these tastings if they are appropriate for your event (again, be prepared to pay a fee … it’s a small price to pay to ensure you choose the right caterer). And when you are sampling the food, also attend to how it is presented, as any caterer who takes the time to properly display a sample will probably be more likely to make that kind of effort on your event day.
#2 Familiarity With the Venue You may be in for a surprise if you hire a BBQ take-out joint to cater a formal ballroom fundraiser. Or if you choose a high-end corporate event caterer to serve a barn wedding. Why? Because these caterers may not be accustomed to preparing and serving food in such a setting. This can get even more specific depending on restrictions of the venue itself, like in the case of museums and historical sites. Even more traditional venues can also have restrictions that caterers must follow – like certain setup standards or disposal restrictions for waste food and water – so having a caterer that is familiar with a venue’s rules can potentially save you lots of hassle on event day.
#3 A Well-Defined Cancellation Plan “Get detailed information on how they handle cancellations and make sure it’s included in the contract,”. “You should find out if your deposit is fully refundable and what the next steps are. And will they refer you to other caterers or help make some calls to see who is available?” You don’t want to be left without recourse with only days or hours before your event, so just make sure cancellation procedures and penalties are in place so you do have a backup plan.
#4 References You Can Call and Talk To Of course you will need to check up on the caterers you are considering, and it’s always good to start online and check out sites like Yelp for their reviews and ratings. However, don’t stop there, as online reviews are not always reliable (or even authentic); for example, a good caterer may have had a few nightmare/hater clients who skew their ratings, while a truly mediocre caterer may have padded their online reviews. So see if you can track down some past clients of the caterers you are considering and reach out to them.
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EVENT COORDINATORS & PARTY RENTALS
7 Tips to Finding the Right
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Event Planning for Your Event
You’re looking to select an event planning company for a major bash that’s on the horizon but do you know what to look for when searching for the right event planning company? It can be a mind-bogglingly decision as, of course, every event planning company will tell you they’re the best. To get it right, take a look at what each company has to offer and determine who is going to give you the best outcome based on your event needs.
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1. Passion I recommend that you look for an event planning company specializes in a particular type of event (quince, wedding, corporate, fundraising, for example) and is passionate about what they do. It’s highly unlikely that a company that has no passion for the job is going to produce an exciting and successful event.
1. Organization The event planning company you choose must be highly organized. In talking to previous clients of the companies you’re considering you’ll be able to determine their level of organizational skills fairly quickly by asking them.
3. People Skills It’s fairly critical that, as event planning involves dealing with and organizing people, the event manager you’re considering should have outstanding people skills. To a certain extent you can judge this by how they interact with you personally but it’s always a good idea to speak with some of their vendors as well.
4. Excellent Time Of course, time management could also fall broadly into the organization category but it’s also worth considering time management on its own. A huge part of producing a successful event is to deliver each and every stage of the project on time because any delays can be disastrous to your timetable and event. Ask the event planning company you’re considering what kind of time management system they use to stay on track.
5. Resourcefulness Is the event planning company you’re considering able to quickly and effectively come up with a plan B should the need arise? You’ll want to make sure that the event manager of the company that you’re considering is calm under pressure and able to think and act quickly and calmly to keep the event running smoothly.
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6. Flexibility You definitely want your event planning schedule nailed down with very specific timelines and milestones. That said, Murphy’s Law dictates that things will go wrong at some point and it’s absolutely essential that your chosen event manager has the flexibility to cope. So, if you’re speaking to a previous client of an event planning company you’re considering, ask them how the company performed under pressure and were they able to adapt to difficult or unforeseen events.
8. It’s Team Game Finally, bear in mind that organizing an event is normally a team game. It’s unlikely that you’ll be dealing solely with your event company’s planner in isolation. Ask who the main event manager is for your event and who reports to her. Get as much information as you can about all the people involved in organizing your event. Whether you’re planning a wedding, a gala or a fundraiser, finding the right event planning company for your event is paramount to your event’s success. When all is said and done, you want to establish a relationship with your event manager so take time and choose someone that meets your event needs.
Interviews and Discussing Event Needs With Applicants Most event planners will be eager to hear about your specific event, but provide them with brief details at first, and focus a bit more on their expertise in the initial round of interviews, during which time you should reduce the number of candidates down to the three strongest applicants. You should then ask each event planner or their firm to share information about their business, experience with past events, and how they plan for contingencies, paying careful attention to the manner of the applicant’s response and any follow-up questions he or she might have for your company, or its goals. Good planners will walk you through a discussion to learn about your event’s overall objectives, timeline, budget, guest count, and personal preferences. Good planners will ask you questions about your organization and learn about your objectives and your particular event look for these signs when interviewing to find candidates who stand out from the rest. Although it’s not always possible to meet someone in person during the first round of interviews, especially if your program is out of town, this can be a critical step in choosing the right planner or producer for your event and company. Face-to-face meetings provide insight beyond a planner’s expertise or experience into his or her rapport with the team in your company that will be helping create this event you’ll want to choose a candidate who not only has a great track record for producing quality events, but also one who gets along with your team.
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LIMOUSINE RENTAL
Tips or Hiring
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a Limousine Service
Whether you’re planning transportation for a quince or prom being well informed isthe key to having a safe and satisfying ride. To reduce the risk of ano-show, getting poor service, or not getting what you expected, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) recommends the following tips beforehiring a limousine service provider:
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Check references Choose an experienced, reputable company with numerous references. If a company can demonstrate that they have successfully operated for many years and has a solid reputation for quality and safety, you are probably in good hands
Ask for proof of insurance Operators should be eager to provide proof ofvalid, current insurance coverage for their fleet. Be aware that some limousine service providers insure their vehicles under a personal autopolicy, if at all. Personal auto insurance policies rarely cover the clients who hire the vehicle.
For service taking You or your party across state lines, check with that state for regulations and compliance. In some states, the vehicle can be stopped and immediately impounded if found not in compliance.
Seekquality chauffeurs A professional chauffeur is equally as important to the success of your event as a nice vehicle. Choose a provider that places a high value on the caliber of their chauffeurs.
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Get everything in writing Special occasions, such as quince, birthdays, weddings and proms, commonly require personalized attention to your specific requirements. The more specific your requirements, the further in advance you should reserve and pay for your limousine. When doing so, insist on a written contract that clearly states all details of your reservation.
Know your rights Inquire about the company’s cancellation policy and get a copy in writing.
Look before you buy If you haven’t used the provider before and time allows, visit the company in person before hiring them. The time to find out what you’re getting is not on the date of the special occasion.
Ask about limo rental cost Price is obviously a factor. Limo companies sometimes have layers of fees that they add on to your base rate. You’ll see fuel surcharges, administration costs, tolls and gratuity for the driver. Suddenly, your bill is 30 percent higher than you quote. Make sure your final price is all-inclusive.
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CAKES
Tips for Choosing
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Your Party Cake
Do you know everything there is to know about quinceañera cakes? The more informed you are, the better the decisions you will make. We’ve got you covered with our top tips.
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Start early Your venue choice can really influence the aesthetic and design details of your cake: Delicate buttercream icing won’t withstand the heat as well as sturdier fondant at an outdoor summer quinceañera, for example, so once you’ve secured your location, start shopping around for your baker.
Find your baker Word of mouth is the tried-and-true way to find a baker, but attending wedding fairs is another route. Couples have the opportunity to meet local bakers and see and sample cake without having to commit to a private consultation.
Get Social Like many creatives, I post my cakes in real time across social media, so brides can get a clear sense of my work output and the types of cakes I specialize in. But don’t be swayed by the swoon-worthy images alone. Seek out online testimonials and reviews to complete the picture before you schedule a meeting.
Align your style Some bakers are highly specialized and others offer a much wider variety of styles. I specialize in fondant cakes with a modern aesthetic. I don’t do buttercream or rustic cakes, but there are other bakers who work exclusively with buttercream. There are even bakers who only create naked cakes. As you explore and gather cake images, note the styles that speak to you. Whimsical? Geometric? Romantic? Rustic? Glamorous? Do you see a pattern emerging?
Take a meeting Once you’ve narrowed your search to two or three bakers (or even The One), the cake journey begins! Before even thinking about red velvet vs. vanilla bean, your baker will need the nitty-gritty details such as wedding date, venue and estimated head count.
Bottom line basics A big part of my job is helping a couple prioritize where the cake purchase fits within their quinceañera budget. A good cake designer will make helpful suggestions to keep your budget on point, while still meeting your aesthetic needs.
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Get Inspired Your overall quinceañera style can kick-start the design process with your baker, but don’t stop there. Mood boards, images of cakes you love, your wedding color palette, your dress — any and all of these elements will get the cake design wheels in motion.
Be fearless with flavors Some bakers charge extra for so-called premium flavors and fillings, others (like me) do not, so be sure to establish any cost upgrades at your tasting so you don’t get hit with surprise surcharges. I encourage clients to push the flavor envelope. Why go with vanilla, chocolate or red velvet when there’s praline and hazelnut cake accented with chocolate mousse and a drizzle of caramel to consider? Your cake should be both beautiful and delicious: Don’t choose flavors you think everyone will like, choose the flavors you like. Remember, it’s your wedding and this is your cake.
Tasty vibes I like to meet with a couple over a 45-minute tasting and design consultation. I send a menu ahead of time and have the couple choose two flavors, which are served at the tasting along with chocolate mud cake, red velvet cake and vanilla bean cake. Couples also get to choose four filling flavors to try, plus I always provide samples of Swiss meringue buttercream and chocolate ganache (both are used as frosting or filling). The tasting is set up so that couples can mix and match the various elements. I always start the design process with the tasting because it’s such a great ice breaker — who doesn’t love eating cake? Clients are asked to bring along any relevant design inspiration (including images of cakes they love), and I always ask them to bring examples of things that are meaningful to them or their relationship. After an initial discussion and budget evaluation, I sketch out several ideas, and we work from there to conceptualize a final design together.
After the Party... Cake delivery takes coordination. Complex cakes may not necessarily be delivered in final form. Allow time and space for assembly, if needed. Refrigeration may also be required. For more on last-minute details, review our Points for the Contract. Avoid freezer burn! Even if you take the most painstaking packaging measures, eating the top tier of your cake on your first anniversary sounds far better than it tastes. Think about indulging on your two-week or one-month anniversary, and treat yourself to a fresh cake in the same flavor when you’ve survived the first year. If you must adhere to tradition, wrap the cake in plastic wrap, then bag it in an airtight baggie. Stay away from aluminum foil it might not protect against freezer burn as well as plastic wrap because it’s not an airtight material.
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PHOTOGRAPHY
Pointers for picking
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the Perfect Quince Photo
One of your most important vendor choices is who will capture the events of your quince. You should hire a professional photographer to ensure the day is properly documented. Every photograph can be measured or graded on all twelve elements, but you may want to simplify by picking the most important elements to you and your partner. Score each photograph, and keep track of your highest rated works.
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ENTERTAINMENT
How to find your first
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Dance Quinceañera Song
Next to a quinceañera may be one of the biggest formal events in a young girl’s life! And while it’s a recent development in quinceañera traditions, the surprise quince dance is a must at your party. After you’ve chosen your quince court, deciding on your dance is the next big task. We have some ideas to help you get your performance on point.
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Explore Your Roots Latin America is rich in culture and your background is a great place to start when choosing your dance style. If your roots lie in Colombia or Central America, try the Cumbia. The Cumbia started out as a courting dance and isn’t too hard to catch onto. You’ll find this dance at weddings and parties in Latin cultures of all kinds, so it’s a great one to learn. The fiery Salsa dance originated in Cuba and may be the perfect fit for your passionate Cuban background! This dance is visually exciting with colorful dresses and spirited moves with your partner. For traditional girls whose family migrated from Mexico, the Ranchera is a great choice. These dances are traditionally accompanied by a Mariachi band and carry themes of love and patriotism! The Merengue is often noted as the “Dance of the Dominican” so Dominican Republic girls, take note! Embracing your roots is a beautiful way to pay tribute to your heritage during your quince dance!
Explore What You Love Have you always loved salsa dance? Been dying to take ballroom dancing lessons? This is the perfect time to incorporate your passion (or something you’ve wanted to try) into your performance! If you’re not sure where your “dancing” heart might lie, think about what kind of music you like. Girls who crank up the country tunes might enjoy having a two-step dance; R&B fans might prefer to try a hip-hop routine! Your quince dance is all about you, so take this opportunity to explore something new!
Explore With A Pro If you have no idea where to begin, it may be a good idea to talk to a professional choreographer. Many choreographers have experience in many types of dances including traditional styles like ballroom or ballet, and more contemporary like jazz and hip-hop. Before you contact them, you may try searching YouTube for quince dance ideas to show your choreographer. That will help them understand the vision you have for your quince dance and make it perfect! Even if you already know what you’d like to do, hiring a pro for your dance can help polish your moves and make your performance truly unforgettable.
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CHOREOGRAPHERS
Your quinceañera dances:
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Some Traditions
According to custom, a quinceañera’s first dance is with her father. It’s usually to a song of the father’s choosing that has a certain significance to them. Traditionally, it also represents a girl’s first public dance. Afterward, the father can hand the quinceañera over to her escort.
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A big part of a quinceañera celebration is the music. Many families hire a band and others hire DJs. Sometimes families will hire both. When the band starts playing, the court of honor proceeds to present themselves. In some venues, a member of the band or the DJ will call the names of the damas, chambelanes, padrinos and madrinas by name as they come up, and then they call the parents and lastly the quinceañera. After the court of honor has been presented, the quinceañera takes a seat in the middle of the dance floor in a chair. The exchange of the high heels is about to take place. If there happens to be a madrina and padrino for the high heel, they bring the pair of high heels on a heart-shaped pillow over to the father of the quinceañera. This is highly symbolic moment in the celebration. The ritual signifies the change from girl to woman. The father takes his daughter’s flats shoes off and replaces them with high heels.
The First Dance Before the age of fifteen, a young girl is not allowed to dance with a partner or at public events. The day of her quinceañera, she will be able to enjoy the band and dance with friends and family, and it is after this event that she can now dance at public events. However, the first dance the quinceañera must have is with her father. There are many songs dedicated to the quinceañera’s first dance with her father. They speak about the transformation from childhood to womanhood, but also speak about always being daddy’s little girl.
Traditional, and the Toast The court of honor proceeds to the table of honor. They give a toast to the quinceañera. Gathering next to the quinceañera, a member from the band says a toast and asks all the guests to toast as well. Some families provide the tables with wine and wine glasses for the toast, but one can toast with whatever one is drinking. After the toast, the professional photographer hired takes pictures to capture all the moments. After this, the party can officially begin. While people are dancing, drinking and having fun, food is being served. That is why when my sister and I had our quinceañeras, our uncle gave us each a cow from his ranch to make the food. People are hired to pass out the food among the guests. When a quinceañera celebration is held at a venue that offers catering, more gourmet or American dishes may be served. After about half way through the night, the band or DJ takes a break, but only to do another quinceañera ritual. As mentioned earlier, there is a large doll adorned in a quinceañera style dress that sits on the table of honor. This symbolizes the last doll of the quinceañera. At this time, the quinceañera along with her chambelan de honor go to the middle of the dance floor. She may be blind folded or simply closes her eyes. At first all the damas and young girls are asked to come to the center as the quinceañera will now throw her doll for someone to catch. It used to be that the quinceañera would throw the doll that a person would catch, but now there are times where the quinceañera will throw a flower because the doll is porcelain. All the girls gather around and walk or dance in a circle until the quinceañera throws the doll or flower and one lucky girl catches it. This is the quinceañera letting go of her “niñez” or childhood.
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SOCIAL EVENTS
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A quinceañera is no ordinary birthday party. Celebrated in many Latin American countries and communities, the quinceañera birthday is a special coming of age celebration for girls. With a lot of fiesta thrown in! The event is celebrated differently depending on the culture, but all quinceañeras mark a transition for the girl between childhood and adulthood. In some cultures, girls are not supposed to dance in public until their 15th party, so you can imagine that music and dancing play a huge role in the event.
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DIRECTORY
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