Step-By-Step Quinceañera Guide: Order Of Events
This article is part of our ultimate series about Quinceañera planning. For a deeper dive, check out our full guide: Quinceanera planning 101 . It's your go-to resource for everything Quinceañera!
A crucial element to having a stress free Quinceañera reception is to have a written program of the important events taking place during the reception.
A great idea is to print this program and place it at the seat of each of your guests, this way, if they need to briefly step outside of the reception, they’ll know by what time to return to not miss anything!
Take a look at the most common order of events at any Quinceañera:
Your guests' arrival
While you are taking theQuince pictures at your place of choice, your guests should be arriving at the venue. This would be a good time to have your caterer serve light appetizers and beverages.
The Quinceañera Entrance
Minutes before your arrival, the event coordinator, family member, DJ, or MC will announce for all guests to take a seat. While the DJ plays your entrance music, the progression should be as follows: your parents, your padrinos, your Quinceañera court , then you and your chambelan.
The Quinceañera Toast
All of your guests will be standing following your main entrance. Take advantage of this by going immediately into the Quinceañera toast . This is typically done near the MC, DJ, or a microphone. Have your parents and padrinos stand by your side so that they too offer words of appreciation to your guests.
The Quinceañera Dinner
If you're having a seated dinner, the waiters will make rounds to each table. If you're having a buffet, your coordinator, DJ, or MC will call one table at a time when it's time for them to head to the front of the line. It is the responsibility of these individuals to keep the buffet line moving smoothly and orderly. Also, make sure you, your court, parents, and padrinos are served first. You don’t want any of them - including yourself – forgetting to eat.
Quinceañera traditions and surprise dance
If you’re having a traditional Quinceañera , the change of the slippers and the dance of the last doll will follow the dinner. Then, the father and daughter dance will proceed, leading into the Quinceañera waltz. So that the excitement of your Quince does not drop, be ready to perform your surprise dance right after.
Taking advantage of the festive environment that your Quinceañera surprise dance c reates, and that your court is on the dance floor, have each of them select a random guest from the room to take them to the dance floor. And with this, the party will begin!
Cake Cutting
About one hour before the end of your party, take a breather from the dance floor and have your parents, padrinos, and chambelan meet you at the cake table for the cake cutting. When finished, rejoin the dance while the servers place slices of Quinceañera cake at each of the tables.
The Last Song
End your party on a high note by dancing the last song with your dad, mom, padrinos, and special people in your life. This is a kind and fun way of telling your guests that the party is officially over.
Featured image is property of AVM Photo Boutique!
Recent articles
Related posts, quinceañera planning 101: your ultimate guide to crafting the perfect celebration, what is a quinceañera (explained), 15 things to carry in your quinceañera emergency kit, pros & cons on digital and physical invitations for your quince.
IMAGES
VIDEO