Seven Secrets for Having an Amazing Quinceanera on a Small Budget

I received a call from Elena, a mom who told me she had always "dreamed of giving her daughter a beautiful Quinceanera". I was nearly in tears when I heard her story. Elena said, she had been in a serious accident and the family was just getting back on their feet. Not only did she have to deal with the trauma of an accident... her medical bills were huge and overwhelming.

Elena had purchased my book: Quinceanera Connection: Your Dream Celebration On Any Budget. She wanted to share her ideas and what she was considering doing for her daughter's Quinceanera after reading my book.

Elena said, " she now believed, it was possible for her to have a beautiful Quinceanera celebration for her daughter - that would fit into her small budget."

Elena was delighted she was well enough to plan her daughter's Quince fiesta. She said it was fine for me to share what she was planning to do and write about it on my blog. She felt it would be helpful for other mom's to know "you don't need to spend a lot of money in order to fulfill your dreams".

The following are 7 tips from her long list for having a " amazing Quinceanera on a small budget:"

1. Together the family reviewed the proposed guest list. After much discussion they cut the guest list in half. They shared it was better to have a small Quinceanera celebration than not have one at all. They decided to only invite family members and close friends. They still had guest list of almost 100 people.

2. Her daughter with the help of other family members decided on a color theme for her Quinceanera party. In order to save money they are planning on making everything except:

• The Quinceanera dress
• The album
• The tiara

(They set up a planning workbook with pages set aside for color samples and pictures for everything they were thinking of making.)

3. Each of the Quinceanera's sisters volunteered to take on a different responsibility for the party.

• Her older sister who had taken cake decorating classes offered to bake her a special birthday cake.
  
• They decided to test different types of cakes and fillings and invite a few family members and friends for a cake testing party. (Sounds like lots of fun to me)

4. Another sister likes taking pictures and making things with photos. She offered to take pictures of the Quinceanera's friends and place them in cute frames she will decorate. These will be used as place card holders and mementos for her friends to take home.

5. They decided on a menu and are asking certain family members to make a specific dish. The food will be served buffet style. Other family members are being asked to bring beverages.

6. A close friend of the family is a videographer. He was asked if he would take the video of the Quinceanera's special day. Knowing the family was experiencing a financial hardship ... he said he would be honored to produce the video of her "Quinceanera celebration story".

7. The major decision was where to hold the Quinceanera Celebration. The family home is too small for the fiesta. Elena is in the process of asking family members if they could use their home for the party. They have had a few offers and are deciding which one will be the best for the "spectacular Quinceanera Celebration".

"Elena turned a challenge into an amazing and fun - family project."

I would love to hear your own ideas and experiences. Please leave me a comment here or email me at: Priscilla@quinceaneraconnect.com

The Quinceanera tradition dating back to the early 1500's was a community event. Everyone participated with either making handmade gifts, dresses, handicrafts, music and food or what ever was needed to create a "spectacular celebration".

All the best,
Priscilla
PS: The bonus-gift of the very popular ... 70-page Quinceanera eplanner is still available with the purchase of my book- Quinceanera Connection: Your Dream Celebration On Any Budget. "A value of $25.00 for only $12.95 with free shipping."