A Quinceanera is an event celebrated by Latin Americans, much like a debutante ball. This celebration is to signify a young girl's journey from child to adulthood. This is a very traditional occasion among Latin Americans.
One of the many traditions of the Quinceanera is for the young girl to dress her best in a gown. Traditionally, the young girl is supposed to wear white but these days, many girls opt for deeply colored gowns that reflect their heritage and their culture. In most cases, the fifteen-year-old girl also wears a tiara and a scepter as a symbol of her impending womanhood. The tiara does not need to be made from real diamonds or other precious stones. Most tiaras for sale are made from beautiful crystals or colored glass that can really brighten up your day.
The Quinceanera can start the celebration wearing a headpiece, not a tiara. The tiara is for the reception, it will replace the headpiece worn at the mass. At the reception there is a presentation of the crowning followed by the scepter presentation. The scepter is a symbol of authority. The tiara and scepter can be gifts from family or friends ( sponsors) as a symbol of their trust and anticipation of the Quinceanera's adulthood.
There are many accessories available for young girls celebrating their Quinceanera. Among these are cake server sets which can be engraved with the celebrants name and the date of the celebration, cake tops which are usually Quinceanera dolls, guest registry books, champagne glasses and many more. Some celebrants also give out keepsakes or mementos of this joyous occasion.
In a more traditional celebration, a candle is also used at the ceremony. Another important accessory that is popular is the highheel shoes. These shoes are used at the reception to replace the flat shoes. Highheel shoes signify the young girl has achieved grown up status.
A more traditional item is the quinceanera porcelain doll. This is the representation of the last doll, which the Quinceanera gives to her younger sister. If doesn't have a sister, she keeps the doll as a memento. This signifies the young girl moving on from a young child to an adult.
And off course, not to forget the earrings and necklace that will go with the dress that the celebrant is wearing. Take note that it will be better to keep the jewelries minimum if the celebrant's gown or dress has many sequins or patterns. On the other hand, an elegant piece of jewelry will accentuate a simple gown or dress.
The Quinceanera event is a symbolic and traditional occasion that a lot of Latin American girls look forward to. It comes with traditions handed down by generation to generation. This is one of the most memorable event to celebrate. With all the time and money spent for the necessary preparation, it will be worthwhile.