Hello Para ti Novia readers! We took some of the amazing Kelly Oshiro top tips for brides and found some incredible do’s and don’ts to help you start planning your incredible quince!
Do:
Create a complete and accurate guest list before you start looking for a venue. You don’t want to book a venue, realize it’s to small for your count and have to cut down on your guest list.
Do set a realistic budget beforehand. Quinces are expensive—if you have a small budget don’t invite 300 people. Typically weddings run at least $100/per person and up and this cost doesn’t include your dress or location. So for a quince, think about $50 per person or more depending on the location you are including. The more casual your location, the more inexpensive it will be. If that is well over your budget, start speaking with the family about holding it at someone’s house and getting it catered!
Do plan on booking your location a year out. You’ll have your pick of a variety of locations and you may even get your ideal date.
Do get an event planner, at the least a “day of” coordinator (though “month of” is a more accurate term). You don’t want your mom chasing down your friends and family for photos instead of seeing you put on your quincenera dress.
Do pick your battles with family members. If flowers, cake, whatever, isn’t that important to you, let it go. Everyone will have an opinion on something. Fight for what’s important to you and don’t stress about the small stuff.
Do take a step back. With all the details in planning, it can be easy to get absorbed in the microscopic details. Never forget the big picture—that this your special day. You’re fifteen!! Finally, Mami was right, it does happen fast. Have fun and celebrate this incredible day with your friends.
Do plan for your guests. As much as this day is about you two, there about 100+ people there that need to be taken care of. Signage, welcome drinks (doesn’t need to be alcoholic), ample heaters for an outdoor wedding, starting the ceremony relatively on time, delicious, hot food are the things that matter to your guests. They won’t notice the flowers per say, but they will notice if the servers never filled their wine glass, if they’re freezing (they will go home early) and if they have to wait around for a hour for the ceremony to start on a hot day.
Do pick your music at least a month before the wedding. Finding the right song for the processional/recession, first dance, parent dances etc, takes time. Provide a clear list to the DJ/band. If you need help ask them, they do weddings and parties and quinces all the time and they might have the perfect song for your first dance.
Don’t:
Don’t take a brigade of people with you when you try on quince dresses. Too many opinions by too many friends will just confuse you and cause too much stress (you know what looks best on you and what feels best).
Take one or two friends with you and start looking at prices and stores that work for your budget. If anything, I suggest going at least 2 times to look at dresses by yourself. After you’ve figured out the style your looking for or have a couple of strong contenders bring your mom to make the final decision.
Don’t wait until the last minute to do the seating chart. It will take you a lot longer than you think.
