How to Plan a Sweet 15 Party
- 1). Arrange a meeting with immediate family members to make important decisions for the party at least 10 months in advance. If celebrating on the girl's birthday isn't possible, determine the date and time for the quinceanera . Note all the details in a planner.
- 2). Create a budget for the quinceanera, and assign a maximum amount for the invitations, the venue, refreshments, decorations and a quinceanera outfit. Determine the quinceanera sponsors and their expected contributions. Sponsors or "padrinos" are usually family members who contribute to the quinceanera celebration in cash or kind to reduce financial pressure on the celebrant's parents.
- 3). Make a guest list for the party, including the names of the 14 friends in the Court of Honor along with the birthday girl's best male friend.
- 4). Choose the venue for the party. Depending on the involvement of the sponsors, ask them to check out various venues and choose the most suitable one or leave the decision to the immediate family. Make a list of possible banquet halls, hotels and restaurants to have the party and make a reservation as soon as possible at the one you select.
- 5). Discuss religious activities in the party with the birthday girl and your priest or pastor, such as prayers, hymns and scriptural readings. Decide who will recite the prayers.
- 6). Select a theme for the quinceanera so the invitations and decorations reflect it. Ask the birthday girl her preference or short list themes such as Jungle Book, Cinderella, Hawaiian luau or the Big Apple.
- 7). Decide whether to purchase or make invitations depending on the theme and the last date by when to send them. Send the invitations two months in advance so guests rearrange their schedules, specially those coming from other cities. Include an R.S.V.P. card.
- 8). Decide on the menu for the party. Depending on the budget and the birthday girl's preference have a sit-down dinner or serve finger food. Decide whether you want the refreshments made professionally or at home. If hiring a caterer, decide a cut-off time after guests arrive by which to begin serving the food.
- 9). Decide the decorations and whether you want to make them yourself or use store-bought ones. Include fresh flowers in the decoration in the form of bouquets and floral arrangements. Also decide party favors and how many to give. Include traditional items such as a bracelet and a tiara.
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