Quinceañeras: Your Planning Timeline

We're not going to lie -- a Quinceañera takes a lot of planning (and we mean a lot). Use this basic timeline to check up on your progress in the upcoming months. If you've got less time to plan, don't panic -- but do get started right away.

More than 1 year before…

Decide on the date of your Quinceañera and book the church.
Start thinking about your budget.
Start looking at Quinceañera locations. It might seem early, but remember, you're competing against weddings and other parties, so these places book up fast. If you see one you love, go for it!

10 to 12 (or more) months before…

Discuss with your daughter who she would like to be her sponsors (padrinos and madrinas), and go with her to ask them.
Discuss with your daughter who she would like to be in her honor court (damas and chambelanes), and go with her to ask them to participate.
Start planning the guest list.
Determine the dances that the court will perform (find a choreographer, if necessary), and set up a practice schedule.

6 to 8 months before…

If you or your daughter are ordering a dress (especially one that'll require tailoring), start shopping now. Order as much in advance as possible to leave time for last-minute alterations.
Same goes for damas -- if you're asking them all to order a dress, get those orders in now.
Start thinking about what kind of food you'd like to have.
Decide on what kind of entertainment you want. A band? A DJ?
Start researching and booking Quinceañera pros, like your photographer, band or DJ, etc.
Check out party-rental places if you need to rent anything for your Quinceañera (like chairs and tables or a tent).

4 to 6 months before…

If you're getting custom-printed invitations, it's time to start shopping.
Having a custom-made cake? Start thinking about how you'd like it to look (and taste!), and check out the bakeries in your area.
Choose and order any Quinceanera accessories you need (crown, doll, etc).

3 months before…

Order your invites.
Order your cake.
Decide on formalwear for chambelanes and any other escorts, and make sure orders are placed.
Work with your daughter on creating the program and/or Mass book for the ceremony.

2 months before…

Get those invitations in the mail.
If you and your daughter are having hair or makeup professionally done, make those appointments now. You might also want to do a trial run to see how it'll look.

1 month before…

Pick up dresses from the store and have final fittings done. Same goes for the damas.
Make any last-minute adjustments with your Quinceañera pros.

2 weeks before…

Take a peek at your RSVPs and call up any guests you're still waiting to hear from.
If you're having a professional photographer, work with them to determing a schedule for portraits or other posed shots.

1 week before…

Give your site or your caterer the final head count so they know how many meals you'll need. Don’t forget to include your DJ, photographer, etc. -- they need to eat too!
Remind your location about any special needs your other Quinceañera professionals might have (for example, if the DJ needs a table, where the band will be set up, etc.)
Having assigned seats? Don't forget to create your seating chart.
Call all of your Quinceañera vendors and reconfirm all details: When they'll be arriving, what they'll be providing, etc. Make sure they have the phone number of someone reliable in case anything comes up close to party time.
Make sure the chambelanes have picked up their formalwear and had their final fittings.
Have a final dance practice to make sure everyone's got their moves down pat.

 

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