Party Spot - Quinceanera: Getting Started

A 15th birthday is a wonderful time for every girl, but even more so if you're Latina and partake in the traditional celebration known as quincea�era ("quince" is Spanish for 15, "an" for year, and "era" for girl). Sure, a quince is great because it's so much fun to dress up and dance and celebrate with friends and family, but it also has important cultural and religious meaning, symbolizing your transition from girl to woman. The best thing about a quincea�era? You can embrace its time-honored traditions but still tailor it to fit the modern chica that you are.

Talking Tradition
The quincea�era is more than 500 years old, so many of its components have very deep roots. The specifics can vary from culture to culture (Mexican girls, for instance, celebrate differently than Venezuelan girls do), but quinces usually begin with a mass at church, followed by a dinner and party with dancing (at a banquet hall, restaurant, or wherever else you can rent out a room).

Money Matters
Sure, it might seem like really elaborate or outrageous celebrations are all the rage right now -- and the temptation to make the party all about you is always there -- but you don't need to blow your college fund to have a fantastic quince. "It's really important to not make it about the amount of money you spend," says Veronica Chambers, author of the novel Quinceanera Means Sweet Fifteen. "Ask people who are important in your life to contribute not just in a financial way but in helping to plan. You can get an aunt to be the godmother of the dress or the music. It's such a community-oriented thing."

Making a Plan
To figure out the religious component, check with your church about its particular rules and regulations and decide which are most important to you and your parents. Talking everything over with your parents -- telling them what you want, as well as listening to what they want -- is really important if you are hoping for an event that is fun for everyone.

Supporting Cast
As a quince girl, you'll be accompanied by a "court": Seven girls (called damas) and seven boys (called chambelanes); fourteen of each; or just seven of one or the other, depending on how you choose. What's the significance of the number 14? Well, 14 plus you equals 15 -- the number of the day. Pick your court carefully -- you're going to be spending a lot of time together, plus they'll need to help out with stuff, so you need people you can count on. Before you choose, talk it over with your parents -- you need to know if there's anyone they're counting on seeing up there by your side (your cousins, your next-door neighbor since you were four...).

Daddy Dearest
A quince girl's father usually has a big role: Helping her change from the flat shoes she wore during the mass into her first pair of high heels (a true sign of womanhood) and taking the first dance with her. He also often escorts his daughter down the aisle -- though many quinces opt to include mom, too -- definitely a more modern take on tradition.

-- Natalie Ermann
Resources: Veronica Chambers, author of Quinceanera Means Sweet Fifteen; Priscilla Mora, editorial director of DebutPlanner.com