Party Spot - Real Quinces: Caroline in Coral Gables, FL

When Caroline Rodriguez-Lassance decided to have a Quince, she didn't have to go far to get help -- her mom has plenty of party planning experience! Drawing inspiration from Caroline's Brazilian and Cuban heritage, Caroline and her mom threw a Quince with sophisticated South American flair.

SHE IS: Caroline Rodriguez-Lassance
THE BIG EVENT: Quinceanera
THE DATE: August 13

The Planning Caroline and her mom, Ines, began planning her Quince a year in advance. "I wasn't totally stressed because of all my mom's experience with party planning," says Caroline, "but I did get a little anxious the closer we got." Caroline and her superorganized mom even arranged for a tasting at the club to decide on the menu.

Roses are…Pink Caroline chose a pink rose theme. "I'm a very girly, princess kind of girl," she says, "and pink roses are really delicate and classy." She used a rose motif on her invitations: "They said 'A rose in a dazzling garden will bloom tonight as Caroline celebrates her fifteenth birthday,'" she remembers. "They were gorgeous!"

Pretty in Pink "We looked all over town for a dress because I knew exactly what I wanted," Caroline says. After a long search, she finally found it: a light pink, strapless, floor-length dress that she describes as simple and elegant.

For jewelry, Caroline wore her favorite pink sapphire and diamond earrings, necklace, and ring, and a diamond tennis bracelet. Her silver pointy-toed heels were sprinkled with crystals.

One week before the event, Caroline had a hair and makeup rehearsal with the professionals, to make sure that the look was exactly what she wanted. For her hair, Caroline had a stylist give her a classic updo, which she wore with a headband-inspired tiara. She hired a makeup artist from Chanel.

Decking the Halls Pink and white roses filled the ballroom at The Country Club of Coral Gables where the service and reception were held. Rose petals surrounded floral bouquets in crystal vases and pink organza overlays donned each table and every chair.

Two tall topiaries held a sign that read "Caroline's Quince" while small pink roses formed the letter C on the guest book table near the entrance.

Party Time After cocktails and hors d'oeuvres (such as scrumptious spring rolls and sesame chicken strips), Caroline's guests sat down to a feast of Chicken Rollatini and asparagus. During dinner, an all-women Brazilian vocal group performed.

Afterward, Caroline formally thanked members of her family and then called fifteen of her closest friends to light a candle with her and place it around her cake. She then gave each of them a handmade gift.

Friends and family sang "Happy Birthday" while she cut into her three-tiered rum cake decorated with miniature fondant roses and topped with a C made of fresh roses. Following cake, guests hit the dance floor. "We danced until 1 a.m.!" Caroline says.

-- Joanna Philbin
photography © Ronira Photography

For the ingredients that make up this party, see right-hand column of this page.