How To Prepare For Your Quinceañera
May 24, 2022
Your quinceañera is an important rite of passage and an amazing opportunity to celebrate all of your growth and accomplishments as you enter a new stage of early adulthood. To ensure your special day is as memorable, exciting, and joyful as you deserve it to be, we’ve prepared a helpful timeline to guide you through the planning process. From the entire team at Princesa by Ariana Vara, happy birthday! Here’s everything you need to know to prepare for your quinceañera:
12-18 Months Before
About 12-18 months before your quinceañera, you should begin planning. Your first few items of business include setting a budget, a date, and booking your venue or church, if applicable. Choose your padrinos, outline your guest list, and, of course, start doing some research on dresses and themes!
9-12 Months Before
Once the previously mentioned setting-related basics have been decided, you can start getting into the specifics. About 9-12 months out, book your caterer and entertainment for the evening, order save-the-dates or invitations, and choose your damas and chambelanes. During this time, you’ll also want to select a theme, narrow down your dress options to a select few, and book fitting appointments with local boutiques that carry them.
6-9 Months Before
Next, in the 6-9 months prior to your quinceañera, you should have your dress and cake purchased, your photographer booked, and your flowers, decor, and party equipment, such as tables, chairs, and linens, ordered. Start thinking about your court choreography, order tuxedos and gowns for your damas and chambelanes, and don’t forget to send out your save-the-dates or invitations!
2-5 Months Before
About 2-5 months out, you’ll want to have a draft of your party itinerary ready, and hair and makeup appointments booked. During this time, you will be taking note of RSVPs, attending dance practices with your court, finalizing a seating chart, and finalizing vendor arrangements and deliveries or pick-ups for your dress, flowers, and decor.
1-2 Months Before
During the last two months before your quinceañera, you’ll want to tie up any loose ends as your big day inches closer and closer. Send a finalized guest list over to your caterer to confirm food and beverage counts, send your DJ or band a personal playlist, and have your final dress fittings and alterations. During this time, you’ll also want to schedule in any pre-quince photoshoots and meetings with ceremony officials to discuss the significance of the rite of passage you’re undertaking.
1 Week Before
Finally, during the last week before your quinceañera, you should be finalizing any remaining details and double-checking that absolutely everything is in place and ready to go! We recommend packing an emergency birthday bag with toiletries and mini sewing and first-aid kits, to ensure you’ll be prepared for any potential last-minute mishaps. Most importantly, during this last week, we hope that you get plenty of rest as you await the most memorable birthday of your life!