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If you can't decide which party you want, and are torn between a Quinceanera and a Sweet Sixteen, read this entire article and then make your decision.
There are numerous factors to consider when planning a Quinceanera or Sweet 16 party, but you don't have to do it alone! This post will teach you the similarities and differences, as well as help you decide which is best for your daughter and family.
In today's America, turning 16 is a significant milestone for young women. When a young lady turns 15, she has a Quinceaera celebration in Mexico and some parts of Latin America. A Quinceañera and a sweet sixteen celebration are not exactly the same.
I'm going to go over each type of celebration briefly to help you understand the similarities and differences between them.
Quinceaneras and Sweet Sixteens are celebrations of family and friends. Most young ladies will throw a glamorous party to celebrate their transition into a women. Their different traditions, however, divide them in some ways.
The Traditions
A quinceaera requires a church ceremony; it is a private mass attended by close family and friends. Quinceaeras are also known for having a court of damas and chambelanes who represent the girl's fourteen years of life. Sweet Sixteens have their own set of traditions, such as a candle lighting ceremony in which a loved one lights sixteen candles. The shoe-changing and tiara traditions are similar between the two parties, with the father replacing the girl's flats with heels and the mother presenting her with a tiara.
The Venue
Sweet Sixteens and Quinceaeras can be held almost anywhere, from banquet halls to yachts. Each party can have a specific theme, such as a princess theme or a color theme that runs throughout. These themes, as well as the number of guests and, of course, your budget, influence the venue you choose. Girls can have as extravagant a party as they want, depending on how much a family is willing to spend on the venue. Hiring a photographer for either event is crucial so that you can keep these memories for years to come.
The Dress
A Quinceaera typically wears a ball gown, but the latest trend is to wear a less formal dress for the dance portion of the party. Quince dresses were traditionally white or pink; however, a quince girl now has far more options and can have her dress match any color theme. A sweet sixteen girl has an almost limitless number of dress options; she can go strapless, short, or mermaid. For the church ceremony, a quince girl cannot show bare shoulders; a shawl or bolero can be worn with a strapless style; however, for the dance, a girl has more freedom in choosing the style she wants to wear, opting for more than one dress for the occasion.
The Party
After the church ceremony, a Quinceaera usually has a dinner party in a venue that has been fully decorated according to a color or theme, with party favors or mementos distributed to guests. Although some Sweet Sixteens serve full course meals to their guests, small finger foods and refreshments are also acceptable. A cake is present at both parties and is usually a reflection of the young lady's personality and ties in with the event's theme. Live bands or DJs are commonly used to play today's top hits in the music industry.
The Dances
A father-daughter dance is performed at both Sweet Sixteens and Quinceneras. A Quinceanera also includes other dance routines such as the entrance, waltz, toasting, and the surprise dance or baile sorpresa. Because you can truly personalize the entrance and surprise dance routines, they can be the most entertaining of all dance routines.
To have a Quinceanera or to have a Sweet 16? This is the question more and more Latin American teenagers are asking themselves these days. Whichever you decide, make sure your day is unforgettable!!!
If you need a Professional photographer to capture the images at your sweet 16 or quinceañera click on the bottom below to concat us.
Here are some of the most common Sweet 16
and Quinceanera questions and answers.
Can you have a quinceañera if you are not Spanish?
While a quinceaera is primarily associated with Hispanic culture, it is not limited to Latinas. A quinceaera is a coming-of-age celebration; therefore, if you want to celebrate your coming-of-age birthday in a lavish and traditional manner, a quinceaera is for you!
Can a boy have a quinceañera?
The Quinceañero is essentially a quinceañera for guys, following many of the same quince años traditions but with a slightly different spin for males. The Quince Años celebration for boys most importantly marks the transition from child to adult at the fifteenth birthday.
Why is a quinceañera celebrated at 15 and not 16?
Back in the day of the Aztecs Indians, when a girl turned 15 she would be considered ready for marriage. This celebration of age turned to more of a celebratory event for a young girl turning into a woman. Quinceañera, (Spanish: “15 years [feminine form]”) also called quinceaños or quince años or simply quince, the celebration of a girl's 15th birthday.
What are the three (3) gifts that the quinceañeras receive?
Most Quinceañeras begin with a mass, following the Catholic tradition. During the ceremony, the young woman's godparents will give her a bible, a cross and a rosary. Each symbolizes the young woman's allegiance and ties to her religious faith.
How long does a quinceañera last?
A typical celebration may last up to 6 hours from the beginning of the Mass to the end of the party during which the guests can enjoy food, games, and dancing to contemporary music or a performance by a live band.
Can I wear a quince dress for a sweet 16?
Quince dresses traditionally were white or pink; yet now a quince girl has a lot more options and can have the dress match any color theme. A sweet sixteen girl has an unlimited choice on her type of dress; she can branch off into all sorts of styles, ranging from strapless, short, or mermaid.
How much should a Sweet 16 cost?
A Sweet Sixteen party can range in cost from $300 all the way up to $25,000. Sweet Sixteen parties can be formal, casual, or semi-formal; they can range from modest parties at home with family and friends to large affairs with a DJ, makeup and hair stylists, and hotel ballrooms.
How much does a quinceañera celebration cost?
This milestone celebration typically costs anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000, although lots of people go the DIY route and spend less while others host an elaborate celebration for hundreds of guests and could spend upwards of $50,000. The main decisions that drive the budget are the number of guests, location and menu.
How much do Quinceanera or Sweet Sixteen photographers cost?
In metropolitan areas, photographers charge between $650 and $2,500 for complete coverage of a Quinceanera for up to six hours with an unlimited number of images, digital downloads, and prints.
Take a look at our Sweet Sixteen Page and also our Quinceañera page.
Send me a quick note to let me know which are you thinking of celebrating.
If you enjoyed reading this post, read any of my other blog posts from the list below!