What exactly is a Quinceanera?

The best way to describe what a Quinceanera is it is a sort of "coming out" party for a fifteen year old Latina girl.  It is a traditional Latino celebration marking the girl's passage from childhood to womanhood and it is split up into two distinct parts, first the church, followed by a "reception".  A Quinceanera celebration closely resembles a wedding in the sense that there is a religious part to it followed by a ritualistic celebration aspect as well.

Quinceanera's are often popular with fifteen year old girls of Mexican heritage although they are also celebrated in many other Hispanic society's and cultures including those of Puerto Rican heritage.  Catered and held in banquet halls or other large areas where dancing is encouraged, these large gathering rival weddings for scale, sentiment and tradition. 

The fifteen year old girl for whom the celebration is intended will choose what is referred to as a " Corte de Honor".  The Quinceanera court traditionally consisted of fourteen girls, called damas and fourteen boys, referred to as chamberlanes each representing a year of the Quinceanera's life.  Today, it is more common to see seven couples.  Her court will have certain roles to perform including taking part in a special dance and most importantly, the introduction of the court and the Quinceanera in public for the first time. 

Traditional dress for the court for women and girls is a simple dress with heels, something like a simpler prom type dress, men and boys traditionally wear Black or White tuxedos depending on personal taste.  They always choose accessories to match or accent the girl's dresses. 

The reception follows the church but not immediately.  There is about an hour between the two so many people change clothes between the church ceremony and the reception, as each has a very different feel to it.  It is common for the church ceremony to be attended only  by close friends and family but coworkers, acquaintances and friends from school attend the reception and it is perfectly acceptable to go to the reception if you do not attend the church  

       There is a lot of planning that goes into a Quinceanera celebration.  Things like picking a Court, practicing for the dance and the introductions, renting or buying tuxedos and dresses for the event, selecting a church and a reception hall to hold it.  Even though there are hundreds of details to this celebration the most important part of it is the meaning and symbolism of a fifteen year olds passage from childhood to womanhood and what that means to the entire family.  A truly beautiful custom to behold.

To learn more about formal wear and celebrations requiring tuxedo rentals, visit the Formal Wear blog @ http://tuxedoworld.wordpress.com/