It’s always fun to find inspiration in the theme of the party or see what the Quinceanera is interested in, my sister’s event was a few months ago and she chose a snow princess theme since her birthday falls on the last day of December.

For inspiration ideas check out, Quince Girl Magazine, it has many fun resources, ideas, blogs and free customized pages for girls to network, talk, share videos and ideas, it’s like a facebook and myspace for Quinceañeras.

Dresses
Although, my sister and cousin are very picky princesses, grrrr, there are many sources you can use to find the perfect dress. I have checked my local retailers and it can be pricey since you are paying for the dress and extra services such as alterations and accessories that are included with a package (that you probably didn’t ask for) or is added as an additional cost.

Online Boutiques

Many dresses that you find at your local stores can be found online, although many people still believe it is better to try on the dress first, many online stores have low or no return fees.

Before you order online:

-Take exact measurements of the Quinceañera and compare them to the manufacturers size chart, if you are still unsure pick a dress with a lace up back to make the upper part of dress tighter or looser for a perfect fit.

-Try looking at several online stores for best prices and styles, I suggest looking at costumer reviews and their previous experiences with the online retailer before you place your order.

-Always read their return policy and delivery time to avoid any delays and inconveniences.

Here are a few helpful gown links:

http://www.christinagowns.com

http://www.bestbridalprices.com/quinceanera.php

http://www.quincegirl.com (dress inspirations and brands)

The Vintage and D.I.Y Quinceañera Dress:

You don’t need to buy a new dress when you can create your own! If you want a unique gown with a little creativity and time, you can have the dress of your dreams.

-Visit vintage and thrift stores, initially a dress may look hideous and outdated but look closely at the skirt and the upper part of the dress, sometimes you can salvage the bodice and later add a wonderful skirt l ( see the picture below) the current trend of vintage revival makes this option a fantastic choice for the Quinceañera that wants a one of a kind dress.

Invitations

Invitations can be very expensive, however I have found that buying pre-made sets and D.I.Y kits can be a fun and affordable alternative:

-You can find quick and ready-to-print kits at Staples, Office Max and online like www.diypapers.com.

-You can also opt for D.I.Y invitations, a great site is Paper Presentations that also has a fantastic and convenient location in NYC, here you can choose or mix and match your invite cards, envelopes, ribbon etc.. You will receive all your components and it’s up to you to print and create fun and unique invitations.

Cute and simple cards from www.diypapers.com

All kits of 52 Invitations+Envelopes+RSVP Cards under-$40

Cakes

Oh yes, this is where we get to the good part, that fatty concoction of milk, eggs, sugar and the heart stopping sweet icing *salivating* The Cake, yes with a capital C is usually the focus like the dress at the Quinceañera party, yeah you’ll probably see your aunt and uncle taking pictures with the attention stealing pastry but paying $600 or more for a cake in these times seems blasphemous, here is another option:

images via: www.pinkcakebox.com

Cupcakes add a fun twist to the traditional cake, here is an example of a cute cupcake stand and if you are still craving some cake, you can add it to the top. You can purchase cupcake stands everywhere from Ebay to Amazon but you’ll need to add the tasty treats, now that’s something I can eat and not feel guilty about on the next day ;)

Accessories

You can find an array of accessories at local mall shops such as Claire’s, Icing’s, Laila Rowe etc.. However, if you would like to purchase an item that you will be able to wear long after your big party, I would recommend, Betsey Jonhson and Tarina Tarantino jewelry and accessories. Not only are these items trendy and fun but they are also seasonless, you can wear them anytime and with a cute outfit, here are a few of my favorite pieces:

Betsey Johnson:

Tarina Tarantino

Final Thoughts

I hope these useful tips help you save some extra money for the big Quince bash, I’ll keep you guys posted with any new updates and my crazy Quinceañera planning, please feel free to e-mail me or ask me questions and if you’d like to share your suggestions I’d love to hear them :) Stay tuned for more…