The Quinceanera Guide For Invitations, Dresses and All About Sweet 15, Quince Anos

The Quinceañera or Quince años (turning fifteen years old) is, for Hispanics, a girl’s celebration of her fifteenth birthday, which is commemorated in a different way from her other birthdays. Technically a “Quinceaños” is the birthday and the term “Quinceañera” refers to the female celebrant, but in practice it has become synonymous with the celebration as well. The celebration highlights God, family, friends, music, food, and dance. The celebration traditionally begins with a religious ceremony. A reception is held in the celebrant’s home or a banquet hall. The festivities include food and music, and in most, a choreographed waltz (Vals) or another dance performed by the Quinceañera and her court. The quinceanera, the young woman, usually wears a pink or white dress at the festival.

It is customary for the Quinceañera to receive some or all of the following items for her ceremony: a tiara, other jewelry (such as bracelets or rings), a cross or medal, a Bible, prayer book, rosary, or scepter.

In some ceremonies, the girl will be wearing flats and will change into heels during the party to symbolize her coming-of-age.

Besides referring to the festivities, the word “Quinceañera” is also used to refer to the young woman whose 15th birthday is being celebrated (analogous to the word cumpleañera for “birthday girl”). Other cultural equivalents to the quinceañera in the United States are the Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebrations for Jewish boys and girls turning 13, the debutante ball, the cotillion and the sweet sixteen birthday parties.

In the Hispanic tradition, the celebration is a festive gathering with relatives and friends, often preceded by a church mass celebrated in honor of the birthday girl. For most Hispanics, the “Quinceaños” celebration marks the transition from girlhood to young womanhood, and is the time when a “niña” (girl) is to begin being referred to as a “señorita” (Miss). However, in the social Hispanic tradition, girls become officially recognized as a “señorita” when they are 21, at which time they may be referred to as “mujeres” (women). As in most Latino cultures, Mexican families proudly celebrate the fifteen birthday for girls as an entry in to young womanhood.

Typically the celebrant’s court is comprised of Godparents and a young gentleman known as the “Chambelan,” the Quinceañera’s companion and date for the evening. The Chambelan’s sole purpose is to have the first dance with the Quinceañera, a traditional ballroom waltz called a “Vals”. This dance tradition is based on a mixture of Mexican, French, Spanish and English ballroom dances, and is imbued with the symbolism of the Roman Catholic church. It is uncommon not to have the blessings of a church or priest who offers mass before the Vals Celebration.

The Chambelan initiates the Vals by requesting a dance with the Quinceañera to a classical song, followed by dances requested with her by her father or another close male relative such as an uncle or older brother, and then her Godfather. Following these initial presentation dances, the guests join the dance floor as well. Some Latino cultures have the girl’s first dance begin with her father as her partner, and then he is cut in on by her escort.

Godparents play a significant role in the preparations for the Quinceaños, often handling arrangements for the party, church and celebration. The event is the culmination of their responsibilities to the church to oversee the religious upbringing of the girl, and thus they are a core part of the family in the celebration, and traditionally remain lifelong close friends of the family.

The influence of mixed modern life has changed some of the celebrations, but for many Hispanic-American families, they still preserve these traditions and the common goal of celebrating the young woman’s fifteenth birthday and acknowledging her transition to young womanhood. In some Hispanic cultures the Court will even include 14 young women friends and relatives representing each preceding year of her life, and 15 chambelanes as well.