Planning Your Daughter’s Dream Quinceañera

A quinceañera marks a cherished milestone in a young woman’s life, a celebration that is rich in tradition, culture, and personal expression. As a parent, you want every detail to be perfect which takes a lot of work. It will take choosing the right venue, keeping organized, and booking all the other aspects that truly make a party great – the music, photographer, decorator, and everything in between.

Here’s your complete guide to planning a quinceañera that’s not only unforgettable, but truly reflects your daughter’s unique style.

Planning Your Daughter’s Dream Quinceañera: Music, Photos & More

Choosing the Right Venue

The venue sets the stage for your entire event – it influences the tone and flow of the entire event. Here’s what to consider when booking:

Guest List: You should have a rough headcount when you go to tour venues, that will give you a starting point on how big of a room you will need for your dinner guests and it’s good to know if you want space for a dance floor, if you need a stage etc.
Vibe: What’s the vibe your daughter is looking for? Some girls may want a ballroom fit for a princess while others may prefer a more modern look, or even an outdoor, rustic vibe. You want to make sure the venue matches what she envisioned and the theme of the party.
Booking Early: A lot of popular venues book up a year or more in advance — especially during spring and summer season. Make sure to lock in your date as early as possible.
Find Out What’s Included: Some of the venues will offer packages with tables, tablecloths, chairs, and catering, while others are 100% DIY. Remember to ask about what services are included when you tour the venues.
Accessibility: Keep in mind how many guests you are inviting and how accessible your venue is to them. If you are inviting people from out of town, consider booking a venue near a hotel. Or if you have elderly family members, make sure your venue is handicap accessible.

Creating the Perfect Music Playlist

Music is one of the most important parts of any party. Whether you decide to hire a DJ, a live band, or create your own curated playlist and DJ it yourself, music is the best way to elevate your event.

Important Musical Moments:

Entrance: Choose a song that reflects her personality — fun, elegant, sassy – you choose!
Father-Daughter Dance: This is the sentimental dance of the event – an emotional or sentimental song is perfect. Songs that hold meaning for both father and daughter or you can try an emotional ballad by Juan Gabriel, Ed Sheeran, or Enrique Iglesias.
El Vals: This traditional waltz is a highlight of the night – practice the dance with the court of honor and your daughter before the event and try to stick with a timeless instrumental song.
Surprise: A lot of girls will choose to surprise guests with a choregraphed dance routine, usually mixing genres like pop and salsa.
Party Playlist: To make the perfect playlist, include songs for all age groups and something for everyone to enjoy. Mix top 40 tracks, with Latin hits, and oldies for the older guests. Make sure to have a backup plan for if the DJ or band is late or your speaker goes out – best recommendation is having a backup speaker with you just in case – a lack of music can bring the vibe of the party down quick.

Capturing Every Moment

A great photographer will help you commemorate the memories that will last a lifetime!

Before:

Photoshoot: Meet your photographer weeks before the party by scheduling a session with your daughter in her dress. You can use those pictures for her invitations or hang them as part of the decorations at the event.
Theme: If you do the photoshoot beforehand, make sure to incorporate her theme or the colors to tie it in with the event. If you opt out of doing a photo sheet beforehand, you may choose to incorporate the theme and colors into the invitations.

During:

Key Moments: Make sure to capture: her grand entrance, the changing of the shoes, her crowning, all of the special dances listed above, the speeches, and candid shots throughout the event.
Videography: Hiring a videographer is a great way to capture the full ceremony and lets you relive the experience and share the magic with all the loved ones who couldn’t make it to your quinceañera.

Add to the Fun:

Photo Booth: Rent or DIY a booth with props and a themed backdrop.

Bring Her Dream to Life

The magic is in the details. Here’s how to bring your daughter’s vision to life:

Theme & Color Palette: Defining your theme makes the planning easier and your event stand out. Your theme can be anything from Under the Sea to Victorian Ball to Tiffany & Co – your theme helps keep your party cohesive.
Dress: Shop early and be ready for alterations – dresses can take months to arrive and almost always need some alterations. Let her choose a dress that fits her personality and the theme of the event, and if she likes to dance, make sure the dress allows movement for dancing!
Court of Honor: Choose the court of honor early and make sure to coordinate the outfits and rehearse before the vent to ensure an organized presentation.
Décor: Your décor is an important part of the event, but it is easy to get carried away with decorations. Remember to stay within budget – there are great DIY options for balloon arches, backdrops, etc.
Party Favors: Try to add a personal touch to your party favors such as candles, picture frames, or sweet treats. These are all great ways to thank your guests!

Final Planning Tips

A successful quinceañera requires strategy, flexibility, and plenty of heart. Keep these tips in mind:

9-12 months out: Book the venue, set your budget, and break your planning into monthly to-do lists.
6-9 months out: Book your vendors such as photographers, videographers, decorators, and a DJ/band.
0-3 months out: Delegate to complete the small tasks. Create the playlist, assemble the party favors, and create a day-of itinerary.
Day-of: Stay calm – not everything will go according to plan and that’s okay. Focus on enjoying the day!

Planning your daughter’s dream quinceañera is an incredible journey. It’s a great time to grow closer with your daughter and honor her growth and the beautiful young woman she is becoming. Start early, enjoy the process, and most importantly — celebrate every moment!

Andre’s Banquet & Catering | St. Louis, MO

Looking for a venue that brings your floral vision to life? André’s Banquet & Catering offers stunning spaces in St. Louis perfect for any wedding aesthetic—floral-forward or minimalist chic.

At Andre’s, we have several amazing venues in addition to being a full-service catering company. Our packages typically include a full buffet meal, a 4-hour open bar, linen tablecloths, chair covers, centerpieces, personnel, as well as an onsite coordinator. We are a one-stop shop facility that can offer guidance in planning and organizing your day. Andre coordinates with several different vendors to make your planning process painless!