This is a big tradition for many in the Hispanic culture. But how can a Witness have or pay for one of these?
Marking a rite of passage
Hispanic ritual a chance for girls to leave childhood behind
By GABRIEL RAMIREZ, Californian staff writer
e-mail: [email protected]
Posted: Sunday July 17th, 2005, 11:30 PM
Last Updated: Monday July 18th, 2005, 10:46 PM
Quinceañeras are a time-honored rite of passage for many Hispanic girls on the verge of womanhood.
For daughters, it's a time to dress up and hold court.
Daisy Estrada Serrano had her quinceañera on July 9. To her, it represented leaving behind the child she was and stepping into her young lady shoes.
Daisy's mother, Irma Serrano, is a Jehovah's Witness and originally didn't want to have the party because of the religious aspects.
Typically in quinceañeras, the young lady is taken to Catholic Mass where she recites a prayer and is introduced to God as a young lady.
They decided to tweak the event by taking that part out.
The compromise worked, not to mention saved money as the church would have charged a fee.
And money can be a big issue.
Quinceañeras can cost $4,500 to $15,000, said Reina Benitez, owner of Party Plus Design by Reina Corporation, a quinceañera and wedding store in Bakersfield.
The event calls for just about everything a wedding does: A hall, decorations, the church (though not in Daisy's case) a lavish dinner, invitations, photos or videos, music, flowers, attendants and, of course, the quinceañera dress.
Unlike a wedding, however, parents can, and often do, turn to godparents and other family members to help with the expenses.
And instead of bridesmaids and groomsmen, quinceañeras have "royal courts," which can be as many as 14 friends and family members.
Daisy had four couples in her court: Teresa Rivas, Azucena Vences, Yessica Vega, Karla Barajas, Ricardo Aldaco, Carlos Chavez, Irvin Valenzuela and Jose Vargas.
Her companion was Albert Aldaco.
"I chose Albert because he is close to me. I have known him since sixth grade," Daisy said.
But the highlight is the dress.
"It's the dress that stands out. It's the dress that makes people go 'WOW.' It separates you from everybody else," Daisy said.
Daisy chose blue, though most quinceañera dresses are off-white or pink.
The pinnacle of the evening is when the quinceañera and her court dance. Daisy choreographed it herself and it took weeks of practice for her and the court to learn to waltz.
Daisy's event went smoothly and after dinner Daisy's father, Jose Abel Estrada, placed on her what were her first high-heeled shoes.
Then came the much anticipated waltz. And finally Daisy was given her last doll, which signified her leaving her childhood behind.
Afterward, there was a lot to clean up.
"It was all so messy. But I didn't have to clean up, my family did it," Daisy said. "I have a lot of memories and overall I had a great time."
She is looking forward to more responsibilities now, and perhaps even being allowed to date.