Your 12-month Quinceañera planning list
12 Months Before
- Select potential godparents (contributing sponsors)
- Plan on number of guests
- Collect magazines and catalogs for ideas
- Make a planning notebook
- Choose theme and colors
- Contact church priest (Determine parish requirements, book date)
- Ask for referrals for photographers, caterers, DJ’s, invitation printers, flower shops and bakeries (for such services it is usually best to work with someone you were referred to)
- Research possible event sites for availability and security measures they offer
Consider reading: “Questions to ask when booking your Quince mass”
11 Months Before
- Discuss budget plans with potential godparents
- Visit event sites
- Meet with caterers for tasting
- Select style of invitation’ style
- Decide whether you will purchase your dress or have it custom-made.
Consider reading: “The Hunt for the Perfect Reception Hall: Search, Compare, and Save”
10 Months Before
- Select your Quince court (the number in the court is your decision, 7 couples are recommended.)
- Select and book the following:
- Bakery/cake
- Caterer
- Music provider (live band or DJ)
- Photographer and video
- Florist
- Reserve event hall
- Verify that church is available on event date and reserve
- Order invitations
- Select fashion designer if the dress will be custom-made
- If you decided instead to purchase your dress, begin your search
Consider reading: “Are Your Quinceanera Invitations On Trend?”
9 Months Before
- Visit fashion designer for formal dress selection
- Meet with your Quince court to discuss their physical attire (after selecting yours)
- Select accessories
- Select shoes
- Purchase party favors and decorations (these can even be created by your family)
Consider reading: “The 3 types of Quinceanera dresses you need to know”
6 Months Before
- Select and purchase “Last Doll”
- Select and purchase the Bible
- Reserve hotel rooms for guests
- Reserve limousine
Consider reading: “Princess for a Day in Cinderella’s Carriage”
3 Months Before
- Pick up invitations
- Arrange rehearsal with court
- Hair/makeup test-run
Consider reading: “Hunting for the perfect hairstylist for your Quince”
2 Months Before
- Send out invitations
- Verify details with your service providers
- DJ and song list
- Hair/Makeup
- Final fitting for gown
- Remind guests who have not responded (in order to avoid unnecessary expenses)
Consider any of these Quinceanera music playlists
1 Month Before
- For a formal reception create seating chart
- Write a speech or speeches (you may choose a poem for the church and a speech for the reception or vice-versa, or you may choose a song)
- Ask your father or date of honor to write your speech
- Verify final details with:
- Florist
- Bakery
- Photographer
- Priest or Pastor
Consider reading “10 Tips For The Perfect Quinceañera Toast
2 Weeks Before
- Pick up gown
- Perform hair/makeup test-runs
- Avoid too many fatty foods, chocolates or other items that might keep your skin from looking its best
1 Week Before
- Get plenty of rest and relaxation so you will look radiant on the day of your Quinceañera
- Verify that you are not missing anything from your planning list
Day of the Celebration
- Eat a good breakfast
- Hair and makeup appointment(s)
Day after Celebration
- Send out thank-you note
Featured image is property of Melva Moctezuma.