Quinceañera History and Traditions
What is Quinceañera?
In Chicago, this is the traditional celebration of a young girl'scoming of age—her 15th birthday! The perfect Chicago quinceanera weaves tradition, culture, and lots of fun throughout her chosen theme. But planning this traditional celebration takes a great deal of time and care!
Aside from being a great party, what are the roots of this incredible celebration? Quinceañera actually goes all the way back to the combining of Christianity and the Aztec religion and lifestyle when the Spanish conquered the Aztecs in the 1500’s. Traditional Chicago quince celebrations embrace important things like family, God, and social responsibility. This time-honored Hispanic tradition celebrates the young girl by recognizing her journey from childhood to maturity. Quinceanera in Chicago includes family, friends, music, food, and dance.
Traditionally, the celebration begins with the religious ceremony. Then a reception is held in a special Quinceanera hall in Chicago. Festivities normally include food and music, and, more importantly, the choreographed dance performed by the special Quinceanera and her Court.
As tradition goes, the Quinceanera chooses her most special friends to participate in what is called the Court of Honor. These are her closest friends and family—brothers, sisters, cousins—all the special people in her life with whom she wants to include in both the ceremony and festivities. The Court of Honor can be comprised of all young girls (Dama), all young men (Chambelán or Escorte or Galán) or a combination of both. It all depends on what the Quinceanera wants! The more the merrier!
The birthday girl traditionally wears a beautiful quinceanera dress and a tiara. Her court dresses in coordinated quinceanera gowns and tuxedos. Guests often receive small tokens of appreciation, cápias and cerámicas, to commemorate this special day. For this exciting 15 celebration, many girls in Chicago choose to include the following important details/services to make this special day more memorable:
- Invitations
- Flower Bouquets
- Professional quinceanera photographers in Chicago
- Personalized candies
- Decorated quince cakes/Cake server sets
- Champagne glasses
- The last doll
- Guest books (so you know who to thank!)
- Reception cards
- Ceremony pillows
- Guest favors
- The cross or medal
- Bible or prayer book and rosary
- Scepter
Chicago Quinceanera celebrations have many traditions. The most popular (and most symbolic) is the Changing of the Shoes. This part of the ceremony is when the father (or favored male relative) changes the young girl’s flat shoes to high-heels. This beautiful moment symbolizes the Quinceañera’s transformation from little girl to young lady. It is very special to both father and daughter so don’t forget dad!
Other things to think about:
Special kneeling pillows, usually personalized with the birthday girl's name, are used during the church ceremonies. This pillow is placed in position so the young girl can kneel during her ceremony. These decorated ceremony pillows are also commonly used for the presentation of traditional ceremony gifts such as the tiara, the shoes, and the scepter.
At Chicago quinceanera receptions, a toast (the brindis) is offered up to the special Quinceanera. With decorated champagne glasses, family and guests are invited to offer their well-wishes and congratulations.
Also, the last doll (la muñeca) is used as part of the ceremony or can be used as a decoration and keepsake. La muñeca represents the final stages of childhood now that the special girl will begin learning the ways of young ladies.
The Quince Años is a wonderful celebration that remains a cherished tradition in today’s confusing world. This ceremony and celebration helps the special girl with the difficult transition that comes with becoming a young lady.
Nowadays, it is not uncommon for families to combine their Hispanic and American heritages by celebrating a Sweet Sixteen. For this party, the families combine quinceanera traditions—religious ceremony, the reception, the tiara with the number 16—and more.
We encourage today’s families to select the customs that have special meaning to them and to add to the customs as they wish. This is what makes the celebration unique! Remember, this is your day. Make it special! It only happens once!
