The Quinceanera Planning Tool

12 MONTHS BEFORE

Select a date (and an alternate one, too)
Set a budget
Meet with planners/consultants for service overview and bids
Select potential padrinos
Plan on number of guests
Collect magazines/catalogues for ideas
Research vendors and set up interviews (photographer, videographer, music, food, party site, invitations, flowers, transportation, planner)
Contact priest/church (Determine parish requirements, book date)
Choose theme (if any) and style
List potential attendants
Make a planning notebook

11 MONTHS BEFORE

Meet with food vendors for tastings
Contact potential padrinos (with cost estimates)
Visit locations
Invite/confirm attendants
Select a planner

10 MONTHS BEFORE

Select and book a food vendor
Select a cake (if not handled by food vendor)
Select and book music services (church, reception, party)
Select and book photographer and make list of shots
Select and book videographer
Select and book florist
Select and reserve reception location
Select and order invitations
1st attendant meetings (for dress choices and tasks assignments)

9 MONTHS BEFORE

Send out save-the-date announcements
Select and order your gown
Select and order attendant dresses
Select and order tiara/gloves/shoes and other accessories
Launch website with save-the-date’ information
Begin a "What if…" list with listed solutions
Buy decorations

6 MONTHS BEFORE

Select and order "Last Doll"
Select and order Bible
Arrange rehearsal dinner
Select and order attendant tuxedos
Select and order programs, with padrino info and event details

3 MONTHS BEFORE

Make hair and make-up appointments including practice appointments
Finalize guest list (with addresses)
Print padrinos list
Pick up/order invitations
Address invitations

2 MONTHS BEFORE

Send out invitations
Start RSVP list
Select/purchase attendant gifts
Make song lists (church/DJ/band)

1 MONTH BEFORE

Begin writing toasts/thank-yous
Final fitting for gown
Final fittings for attendant gowns
Pick up programs
Fitting for tuxedos
Confirm floral delivery times
Confirm food/cake delivery times
Confirm photographer/videographer
Confirm limo/other transportation
Send out rehearsal dinner invitations
Confirm event rehearsals
Prepare newspaper announcement information
Have usher meeting (assign duties)
Contact priest/confirm church service details (readings, music)
Organize transportation of supplies (cake knife, Bible, toasting glasses, etc.)

3 WEEKS BEFORE

Pick-up gown
Hair/make-up rehearsal
Q-Girl portrait

2 WEEKS BEFORE

Contact guests who haven't responded
Update RSVP list
Confirm tuxedo pick-up
Pick-up attendants gowns

1 WEEK BEFORE

Hair color touchups
Make a list of payments required for day of quinceañera
Finalize guests lists/counts
Create seating chart
Confirm counts for food/drink vendors
Prepare emergency kit
Final attendant meeting
Confession
Prepare attendant gifts
Write out presentation program for emcee for party
Write final toasts and thank-you speeches

1 DAY BEFORE

Prepare payment envelopes for vendors
Review emergency kit
Rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
Pick-up tuxedos

THE QUINCEANERA DAY

Turn over payment envelopes to assigned person
Eat a good breakfast
Hair and make-up appointment

THE DAY AFTER

Assist in the return of tuxedos
Confirm clean-up (if needed)

1 WEEK AFTER

Send out thank-you notes
Follow up with photographer and videographer for final delivery of albums
Take dress to dry cleaner who specializes in gown preservation

Other Quinceanera Planning Resources