30somethingandsearching

Last night I went to my best friend’s niece’s Quinceanera (15th Birthday Party).

I met my best friend just before her Quince.  That was 17 years ago.

When she had hers, I wasn’t able to go to the Mass because it was too far and my parents wouldn’t take me.  I did go to the party.

It was at a VFW hall and seemed to me like a normal birthday party except that my friend was in a big, poofy, wedding-like gown and there was a ginormous and fancy cake.

Four years ago, her eldest niece had her Quince.  Again I wasn’t able to go to the Mass because I was working (it was on a Friday).

I went to the party though.  I was prepared that it was going to be bigger than my friend’s because it was at a hall.  A hall known to be fancy and expensive.

I was not expecting it to be like a wedding, however.  There were attendants, which were like bridesmaids and groomsmen (including matching gowns and tuxedos).  She had an escort.  There was a DJ, open bar, food like a wedding, the ginormous and fancy cake, favors, etc.

After that, I felt I was prepared for the extravagance of the Quinceanera last night.

Nope.

Firstly, the dress was remarkably different.  While my friend and her eldest niece wore white gowns with touches of color (green or blue) with their dresses seeming sweet, last night this dress was gorgeous and way too sexy.  It was blue, strapless with a sweetheart neckline and a corset back.  It was fitted to the knees and then flared out to a full layered skirt with scattered rhinestones.  It was very pretty, but seemed too old for a 15 year-old.

Next, she had a wardrobe change.

At the eldest niece’s, the attendants did one choreographed dance.  Last night, they did a choreographed dance, very sweet and debutant-like.  Then they left the floor and the birthday girl changed into a green cocktail dress and they came back to do a tango (modified for 15 year-olds).

Prior to all of this, however, was cocktail hour, the Mexican Folk Dancers, dinner and then speeches by the birthday girl and both of her parents welcoming guests and thanking them for participating in the special day.

There were minimum of 150 people.

Did I mention that the birthday girl is half Mexican and half Argentine?

Have you ever partied with Argentine people?  Whoa!  I had experienced it many times.  When my friend got married, her reception was like carnival.  It was the craziest and most fun wedding reception I have ever been had the pleasure of attending.  So this Quinceanera was in the same category.  Crazy and fun.  There were masks, beads, crowns, tiaras, horns, clappers, etc.

After the attendants’ dance, we passed all of these things out and they began playing carnival music and then moved into Matador.  The people who had never experienced this kind of party were slightly taken aback.  Lots of shouting and wild dancing.  Lots of call and response.  And let’s not forget the clapping.  (This group loves all the songs that require clapping along.)

I can’t say that all Quinceaneras are anything like this.  I’ve only ever been to Argentine parties, so that is all I can reference.  If you have never been to one, try to get invited.  It’s a party like nothing you have ever seen.

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