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The 10 Most Expensive Things About Having a Quinceañera
The 10 Most Expensive Things About Having a Quinceañera

The 10 Most Expensive Things About Having a Quinceañera

Having a Quinceañera is without a doubt expensive, whether you’re planning on inviting only 50 guests and using your backyard as venue to save up, it takes money to make it happen.

We have compiled a list of party planning estimates (based on California rates) for you and your parents to get an idea on what kind of budget you need in order to plan the Quinceañera of your dreams.

Take a look and figure out what type of Quince celebration you can afford without going bankrupt.

 

1) The Quince Venue & Mass

quince_mass

Click on image to visit AVM’s photo boutique!

Rental of space could be affected depending on additional services it includes such as catering, linens, decor, security, cleaning and sometimes even cutting the cake. Expect to pay at least $700 (just for the space) and up to $2,500 if not more for an outstanding venue with large capacity. Saturdays will always be the most expensive day.

Now if you’re having a Quinceañera mass, be prepare to “donate” between $250 to $600 dollars.

Saving Trick: Have your Quince on a weekday or Sunday and consider sharing your mass so you can split the cost with another Quinceañera.

 

2) Your Guest List

A group of people standing around a Quinceanera reception at Michael's Tuscany Room, with Quinceañera dresses on display

Click on image to visit AVM’s photo boutique!

Sure, your guest list can be composed of 100 guests however this does not mean you will order 100 invitations since those are mostly delivered per family rather than per individual. Do consider the number of people invited if aside from your invites you’re planning on sending “Save the Dates”.

Each guest you invite will cost you money whether it is due to invitations, sitting arrangements, dinner and cake servings, to mention a few.

Saving Trick: Plan a VIP Quinceañera with less guests

 

3) Catering Services

quince_decor

Click on image to visit AVM’s photo boutique!

If you’re having your Quince at a venue you may face the following: catering options included in your package or hiring an outside catering vendor. The cost depends on the cuisine style and the number of plates.

Venue catering options usually start at $30 and can go up to $60 per plate while an outside catering vendor might charge you between $8 and up to $25, again, depending on the menu. Food trucks are becoming popular and their rates vary.

Besides catering you could also consider a dessert table with cupcakes, macaroons and sweet treats, each piece ranges $1-$3.75 each.

Saving Trick: Do buffet style menu, consider your guest list and skip the dessert table

 

4) Your Beloved Quinceañera Dress!!!

A woman in a pink Quinceañera gown posing for a picture

Click on image to visit AVM’s photo boutique!

The price you pay for your Quince gown has a lot to do with the fabric, style and designer. Once a designer launched his/her latest collection expect the one prior to be less expensive. Dresses can start at $400 if purchase during clearance season or belong to a not-so-new collection, and can go up to $1500 or more, depending on the popularity of the designer.

Saving Trick: Purchase a used Quinceañera dress, check out our Quince FB Group!

 

5) Photo & Video

Noor Events Venue Catering: Quinceañera dresses, a woman in a long red dress posing for a picture

Click on image to visit AVM’s photo boutique!

The price varies according to the package you choose, it could be only digital photos, or digital plus number of prints and even video. This service ranges from $800 to $3,000.

Saving Trick: You can have someone take pictures for you although we can guarantee you they won’t look as great so pay a professional.

 

6) The Entertainment

A photograph of a Quinceañera, with a man and a woman dancing in a ballroom

Click on image to visit AVM’s photo boutique!

Here is where it gets a lot more interesting since it is up to your parents and you to decide.

When it comes to music, the obvious options are between:

  • A DJ who usually charges hourly or per event from as low as $180 and up to $500, more with lighting show and dance floor.
  • A Mariachi or banda, starting at $200 per hour (usually depends on the number of members)
  • A live band up to $700-$1500 for the night

A popular portion of the entertainment factor at most Quinceañeras seems to be the rental of a photo booth. This type of service charges according to the amount of hours and prints you want. They range between $500- $1500.

Saving Trick: DIY backdrop and photo props?

 

7) The Decorations & Party Planner Services

Quinceanera party planning, a woman standing in front of a table with decorations on it

Click on image to visit Dee Lee Design

If your budget allows for it, consider hiring a party coordinator but be ready to pay at least $150 for each hour he or she assists with your Quinceañera’s logistics. Another cost to keep in mind is the delivery charge some rental services add.

Did you know you can pay as low as $99 for a DIY backdrop (installation)? You can order it online! Party planning businesses who will come and do the setup the pick up after party could cost you up to $1000.

Balloons sculptures range between $75-$149 up to $500 for a whole setup while photo props cost between $10-$30 per piece.

Saving Trick: Try your best to differentiate which decorations you want vs the ones you actually need.

 

8) Your Quince Cake

A Quinceanera cake being cut by a man and a woman together

Click on image to visit AVM’s photo boutique!

A Quinceañera cake can cost between $250 and $600, price is subject to change based on the number of guests. Buttercream tends to be less expensive than fondant, although fondant is not as popular this year (Looks great but does not taste as good as buttercream!).

An additional expense to consider when it comes to this matter, is the cake tasting which goes between $35-$50, three to five servings. Lastly, you will also pay for delivery, set up and even cutting which could sum up to $100, some venues offer this service, feel free to ask.

Saving Trick: Request a fake cake with a real top layer and buy 2 separate real cake sheets, keep them hidden in the kitchen prior to serving.  Once you take the typical cutting the cake picture take the fake cake back to the kitchen and serve your guests from the less expensive cake sheets.

 

9) The Invitations

quinceanera_invitation-min

Click on image to purchase! Follow them in IG @townleydesigns

Traditional printed invitations go anywhere from $2.75 to $8 per invitation. Individual price depends on how detail the design is and whether you’re using a special fabric. Etsy.com has several artists offering instant digital designs which you can print and turn into invitations, the cost is $15 but you will have to pay the additional amount for prints and envelopes.

Saving Trick: Skip the traditional print invitations and go digital! Also, make sure to order them on time so you don’t have to pay extra for a faster service.

 

10) Your Quinceañera Hair & Makeup

Quinceañera woman with long black hair wearing a headband

Click on image to visit Sexy Makeup Studio!

This is pretty much the most popular Quinceañera combo, we rarely ever hear of getting these separately. The usual rate is $130-$200 just for the birthday girl in question although hairstylist and makeup artists usually offer discount deals if you book for your whole court or maybe your mom and madrina.

Saving Trick: Read this article on how to save on your Quince hair & makeup!

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