Quinceañeras: An Expensive Tradition
Wearing a tulle glittered ball gown and a tiara, 15-year old Cynthia Sanchez greets her guests and takes pictures with her family and friends. She is the center of attention as she celebrates her quinceañera. Sanchez describes a quinceañera as, “a teenager that is turning into a woman when she turns 15.”
For many in the Latino community the coming of age celebration is a transition from childhood into womanhood. The celebration usually starts off with a religious mass, followed by a party that is often times hosted at a banquet hall.
Click play to learn more about Cynthia's Quinceañera
A quinceañera follows traditions and customs. During the event the quinceañera dances a waltz with her court, more commonly known as damas and chambelanes. The court is made up of the quinceañera’s relatives or friends. Weekends leading up to the celebration mean the quinceañera and her court need to rehearse the steps for the dance and shop for their dresses and accessories.
One of the highlights of the night is when the quinceañera waltzes with her father.
It has also become a custom for quinceañeras to perform a less formal dance known as a surprise dance. During the surprise dance the quinceañera often picks a catchy or popular song to put on a dance for guests. The celebration and dancing does not come cheap.
Hover over images to hear what women said about quinceañeras at an expo held by Quinceañera Magazine
Jackie Canul on having a quinceañera for her daughter.
Brianna M. Canul on planning her quinceañera.
Yolanda Flores on continuing the tradition with her grandaughter Nahomy.
Nahomy De Los Angeles on what it means to have a quinceañera.
Whether is a simple party or an over the top gala, having a quinceañera can be expensive. Norma Capitanachi, the Los Angeles director of Quinceañera Magazine said that the cost for a celebration can start at about $8,000 and average cost is $10,000.
For many families hosting this celebration requires saving money or taking out a loan. A common practice is to get padrinos or godparents who can help pay for some of the expenses.
That is what Amelia Sanchez did for her daughter, Cynthia’s quinceañera. Sanchez and her husband Hector saved money including bonuses that he got from work. The Sanchezes spent about $6,000 for the celebration but also got by with help from their family.
“Padrinos for a ring, the cake, for drinks, padrinos de honor, padrinos for a little bit of everything. I guess that’s what helped us with the quinceañera as well,” said Amelia.
Socorro Barajas’ daughter, Samantha, celebrated her quinceañera in October. “At first I was apprehensive because of the cost,” said Barajas.
To bring costs down, Barajas found cheaper alternatives. “We tried to do a lot of money saving things,” said Barajas.
Instead of having a cake, guests had cupcakes. Instead of paying for expensive dinnerware, Barajas bought disposable plates and cutlery.
Barajas got help from her family and friends. Barajas’ boyfriend tended the bar and her best friend’s parents made the food for the celebration.“A quinceañera represents a kind of youthful luxury
— Rachel V. González-Martin
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Planning the Celebration
Rachel V. González-Martin is a folklorist who has spent about seven years attending quinceañera expositions and is working on a book titled, “Coming Out Latina; Quinceañera Style and Latina/o Consumer Identities.” She said all kinds of people can have access to a quinceañera. “It’s definitely not just the upper class, it’s definitely not people that have cash in hand,” said González-Martin. “It’s people that have this sense of aspiration and social mobility who see a quinceañera as both a way to honor their daughter’s but to honor their own dreams of success.”
Sometimes the tradition is criticized by those who say it makes girls grow up too soon, but she said that the celebration allows girls to enjoy their youth which oftentimes their parents couldn’t do.
“A lot of the people that were scrimping and saving were people that had really rough childhoods that were forced to grow up much sooner that they would have liked and a quinceañera represents a kind of a youthful luxury,” said González-Martin.
González-Martin said that there is a “push of visibility” on social media by quinceañeras. “It’s really happening because Latino youth are part, are coming of age right now in a community in a cultural space where visibility is everything. If you think about social media - Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat. It's all about publishing your life,” she said.
Girls rely on social media and the internet to get ideas for their celebration, said Grecia Hernández, digital content manager of Quinceanera.com.
Quinceanera.com helps teen girls plan for their celebration
She is surprised how knowledgeable girls as young as 13 are about what they want for their quinceañeras. “I think girls nowadays are more in charge because of their own online resources that they have,” she said.
Hernández said, “Now quinceañeras get super involved, they want to make it as different as possible and it’s crazy how creative they can get. They either pick a theme or a color combination and they worry about every single detail.” She said some popular themes in the past years have been under the sea, masquerade and princess.
She said social media allows girls who are planning their quinceañeras to help each other out with their planning. “It’s amazing for us just how we're able to not only connect with the girls but get them all involved, and they're helping out each other in their quinceañera,” she said.
With articles titled “Cheap Quinceañera Dresses Guaranteed to Turn Heads” and “Learn to Pose for a Quince Photo Shoot,” Quinceanera.com.
aims to help girls prepare every detail. What started as a print publication is now also online, and has its own app. The magazine also hosts eight expositions yearly throughout California, from San Diego to San Francisco.In the app, besides reading through articles, girls can search the directory for vendors in their area. The app also provides a checklist for girls to make sure every detail, such as invitations and transportation, is perfect.
Hernández said that TV shows such as MTV’s “My Super Sweet Sixteen” made the celebrations extreme. She encourages girls to keep it simple and to be surrounded by those who have been there for them throughout their life.
Hernández said the “quinceañeras evolution has made it where you can adapt the celebration to fit your budget, your life style and your personality.”
Another publication, Quinceañera Magazine, also hosts expositions where girls can meet vendors, see dresses and find inspiration.
Norma Capitanachi, the Los Angeles director of Quinceañera Magazine said that, “today the quinceañeras, they are very glamorous they have more stuff than a wedding.”
The Cost of Having a Quinceañera
This dress is inspired by Ariel from "The Little Mermaid". It's made from organza and taffeta and cost $769 at Arana's store.
This Mulan inspired dress is made of organza and gold-colored lace. It costs $1,150 at Arana's store.
This dress inspired by Cinderella is made of tulle and costs $799 at Arana's store.
Whether the quinceañera likes tulle, satin, ruffles, lace, or rhinestones, the dress is the main staple in which girls will make their debut as a young woman. The dress also allows girls to display their personal style and taste. As new trends arise quinceañeras adapt to these changes.
Even Disney has gotten into the quiceañera industry. Girls can feel like a princess by donning dresses inspired by Cinderella, Ariel, Anna and Mulan.
Walter Arana carries some of the Disney-themed dresses at his store, Tiffany’s Bridal Salon in Huntington Park’s quinceañera hub, Pacific Blvd. “Let’s say they are a fan of Snow White, then they want to have the Snow White dress. If they are a fan of Ariel, whoever it is it may be or Bell they want to be like that princess,” he said.
Depending on the fabrics and style the costs of the dress can vary. At Valeria’s Bridal & Boutique in Downtown Los Angeles, quinceañera dresses start off at about $300 and the most expensive ones are over $1,800.
The store offers packages that include the essentials such as the dress, tiara, gloves, doll, bible and rosary. The cheapest package starts off at around $800, but if customers want a more expensive dress, the price goes up.
Patricia Chavez, one of the owners of Valeria’s Bridal & Boutique, said the dresses have changed overtime. Quinceañeras have switched out white and light pink dresses for more bright and bold colors, said Chavez.
Most quinceañeras have a religious mass. At some churches such as Our Lady Queen of Angels families pay $550 to have their mass. The cost at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in is $50 cheaper.
At St. Vincent de Paul church families can expect to pay $700 and have to make reservations a year to a year and a half in advance. Families also have the option to pay $50-$75 for a coordinator to prepare the quinceañera for the religious ceremony.
The fashion show was the main attraction at an exposition held in November by Quinceañera Magazine in Torrance, Calif.
Hernández said the most expensive items are the venue, tables, chairs and catering. It is common for families to host the celebration at a banquet hall.
Some places, such as Jary’s Party Supplies in East Los Angeles, offer packages for about $7,800. Among other things, the package includes: the venue, security guards, tables, chairs, buffet and decoration of the venue. Another location in Huntington Park, Iluciones Mayra, has packages that start off at $13,000.
Most quinceañeras tend to hire a photographer to commemorate the celebration. Studios also offer packages. At Rigo’s Studio, the cheapest package costs $1,350 and includes pictures of various sizes and a DVD.
Quinceañeras also rent out limousines to get to church and to their venue. Popular among girls are party buses and Hummer limousines. At Torres Limousines, a party bus can cost a family $150-$175 per hour. Carlos Torres, who is in charge of transportation at the company, said even though party buses are the top choice for girls, many parents are hesitant since they prefer a more traditional limousine.
Dress $799
Tiara $29-$289
Bouquet $150
Invitations $421 for 100
Centerpieces $18 each
Candy Table $350
Cake $279
Church for mass $500
Flowers are essentials for church and hall decoration for many families. Myrna Alba, one of the owners of El Poblano Flowers in Downtown Los Angeles, said hydrangeas and roses are the flowers that quinceañeras use the most. She said these are popular because they are economical and easy to handle.
If a customer wants a flower arrangement, it costs an extra $20 per centerpiece, but the unit price is lowered if families purchase a certain amount. El Poblano Flowers charges $1,000 for a packages that include boutonnières for the chambelanes, bouquets for the damas, a flower arrangement for the main table, centerpieces and flowers for the church altar and benches.
Alba said the price for roses can double or triple during Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. A lot of vendors don’t make flower arrangements for other events around those times, she said. “It’s too much because you make no money out of it; because it’s too expensive.”
Despite the high cost, many families consider it a worthwhile tradition.