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A Traditional Quinceañera Reception: Timeline of Events
A Traditional Quinceañera Reception: Timeline of Events

A Traditional Quinceañera Reception: Timeline of Events

This article is part of our ultimate series about Quinceañera traditions. For a deeper dive, check out our full guide: A Guide to Quinceañera Traditions. It's your go-to resource for everything Quinceañera!

Quinceañera traditions are passed down from generation to generation, which represent the family’s culture and heritage. However, if you are a modern Quinceañera, you’ll more likely incorporate your own personality and style into your celebration. Who can blame you?

Your fifteen celebration SHOULD be your dream party come true. It’s important to make sure that you don’t forget to include long-lasting traditions that will make your party a true Quinceañera. Let us present you the most important traditions during a Quince reception.

The formal Quinceañera entry

You DON’T want to miss the biggest moment of your fifteen celebration. This first ritual is the formal entry by the Quinceañera and her court into the venue. During this time, her guests are seated at their dinner tables but stand and applaud her entrance. The Quinceañera and her courtare then seated at a main table, which is typically placed in a focal point of the venue and adorned so that it differentiates from the guests’ tables.

The Quinceañera toast

In honor of the Quinceañera, a toast is also done in her name. Her parents typically take this time to thank the guests for sharing in the celebration while the padrinos take the opportunity to say a few encouraging words to the Quinceañera. But the most anticipated time during the toast is when the Quinceañera says a few words of her own. The Quinceañera’s toast is of significant importance since it represents her first words to her community as a young woman.

Last doll ritual 

Equally symbolic are the rituals that are done on the dance floor and in front of the party guests. The ritual of the last doll is one of these. This is when the Quinceañera takes either her favorite doll or one purchased for the special occasion, and gifts it to a younger female sibling or family member. This represents that the birthday girl is leaving childhood behind and entering a more mature phase in her life.

Father and daughter moments

Another traditional Quinceañera moment is the change of the shoes. The father of the Quinceañera changes her low-heel shoes to high heels, symbolizing the her passage into womanhood. Another memorable moment is the father and daughter waltz. During this time, the birthday girl and her father dance a special song symbolizing her first dance with her father as a young woman.

Cake cutting 

While the guests enjoy themselves in music and dance, the birthday girl and her parents cut the Quinceañera cake, which is typically topped with a doll figurine that resembles the birthday girl. A slice of cake is then served at each of the guests seating areas, ready to be devoured in between dance breaks.

 

Featured image is property of: AVM Photo Boutique. 

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