Have you recently received an invitation to your first Quinceañera? Or perhaps, it's your Quinceañera, and you're nervous and unsure what to expect? We're happy to help you learn more about the Quinceañera and how to get ready for this beautiful and exciting passage.

What is a Quinceañera?

For Hispanic girls in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the United States, and elsewhere, their 15th birthday marks a once-in-a-lifetime lavish celebration. In early Mesoamerican and Spanish societies, the quinceañera marked a girl's transition from childhood into womanhood and becoming ready for marriage by being introduced into society.

Traditionally, a quinceañera was also marked when a young woman was gifted her first authentic jewelry, including a tiara. She was officially allowed to wear makeup, dance publicly, and decide for herself.

As the years passed, the tradition of the quinceañera remained, but the focus of the celebration shifted to adapt to changing times. The quinceañera now focuses on the shift from childhood to adulthood.

Religious Ceremony

Many quinceañeras begin with a special Mass. The girl and her family may choose to renew her baptismal promises, a presentation before God, and a promise to honor herself and her beliefs. This Mass is a significant cultural ritual within the Hispanic Community that solidified the girl's commitment to her faith. During a quinceañera Mass, the young lady receives Holy Communion, consecrated to the Virgin Mary, gifts the Virgin Mary with a bouquet, and accepts gifts that a priest, such as a ring, a tiara, or a necklace, has blessed.

The quinceañera's Court of Honor is chosen before the Mass, during the quinceañera's planning stage, and attends the Mass.

Reception

The reception or birthday party that follows the ceremony is typically a large party with delicious food and drinks—depending on the parent's budget and what the quinceañera requested for her reception. Some quinceañera celebrations are themed, some are large and in a rented venue, and some may be small.

What to expect during the reception:

• A quinceañera toast
• Dancing
• Dinner
• Decorations
• Photos, photo booths or slideshows
• Local customs such as the Change of Shoes, where the young woman is given her first pair of high heeled shoes, or a crowning ceremony, where a close relative places a crown or tiara on the young woman's head
• Some may observe the ceremonia de la ultima muñeca, or ceremony of the last doll, where her father presents the quinceañera with a doll wearing a dress similar to hers.
• Cutting of the cake
• The last song, where the quinceañera will dance with her mother, father, padrinos and other special people in her life

What is The Court or The Court of Honor?

The Court of Honor is a group of males and females, important to la quinceañera, accompanying her to the Mass and the reception. Every Court of Honor is different and varies in size. Traditionally, the court comprises seven females, called Damas, and seven males, called Chambelane. The Chambelanes are the escorts of the young Quince, and the court members represent the young girl's age before her fifteenth birthday, as altogether, the court equals fifteen. Court members are typically dressed formally and chosen by their closest friends or family.

Traditionally the Court of Honor is very involved in planning the quinceañera and sometimes will learn a choreographed dance to perfect what is known as the entrance dance. This performance marks the quince's grand entrance to her reception, presenting her to her honored guest. The dance is called a Val or a birthday waltz.

Following the Val usually is a father-daughter waltz.

What do you wear to a Quinceañera?

Before choosing your outfit, there are a few things you should know.

• Where is the quinceañera being held? A home? A catering hall? A rented venue?
• Is there a theme to the quinceañera? If so, occasionally, you may be asked to dress according to the theme.
• Are you a part of the quinceañera Court of Honor, such as a dama or chambelane?

Damas or Chambelane

If you will be part of the quinceañera Court, the outfit or dress you should wear may need to match the theme or the dress of the quinceañera. You will most likely be informed well ahead of the quinceañera about the dress code or colors.

General Quinceañera Guest Attire Guidelines

In most cases, anything you would wear to a wedding suits a quinceañera. Here are some general tips:

• Leave the chanclas at home; quinceañera attire isn't usually casual wear.
• Skip the jeans, shorts, t-shirts, sneakers, or tennis shoes (unless it is an outdoor quinceañera and it has been established that these garments are acceptable.)
• As a guest, if you are not part of the court, try to avoid wearing the same color or colors as the court and the guest of honor, la Quinceañera herself.
• Choose attire-appropriate comfortable shoes, as you may be dancing the night away.

Female Guest Tips

•  Formal dress or gown
• Cocktail dress
• Maxi dress
• Seasonal apparel (For summer or an outdoor event)
• A skirt and dress blouse
• If you're not one to wear a dress, a good pair of slacks and a blouse should be acceptable

Male Guest Tips

• A dark colors suit and tie, or dark suit and bowtie
• Light-colored suit if it's the season
• Nice slacks or khakis with a button-down dress shirt
• If you must wear a hat, consider a formal hat like a fedora, and leave the baseball caps at home
• Avoid using the same colors as the court of the guest of honor
• Avoid wearing a tie that is the same color as the Chambelans (The male members of the court)

We hope our article and tips have helped you to look and feel fantastic, whether it is your first time invited to a quinceañera or your very own! We hope to take some of the pressure on such a big night, so everything goes smoothly. At Rachel Allan, we don't just love making the dress; we love everything about it—from how to wear it, where to wear it, and everything in between. If you're looking for the perfect quinceañera gown of your dreams or the perfect cocktail dress to wear to one, we'll have what you need! Please check out our store locators to find the ideal gown nearest you!