Your professional photographer will be responsible for the portraits, including those that may accompany the Quinceanera invitations, but simple digital cameras have such a large capacity and low cost that there’s just no reason not to have photos documenting the entire event.

A great strategy is to encourage friends, relatives, and guests to take lots of photos.  Many of them already have cameras in their cell phones that can get pretty good images.  They might just need the reminder to use them. Another benefit of asking people to take lots of photos is that the photos you end up with will represent a wide range of perspectives.  You’ll be able to see your Quiceanera through the eyes of your guests!

So what do you ask people to photograph?  Include all the events leading up to the celebration, the Quinceanera ceremony and party, and the post-celebration exhaustion.  Whether you’ll be making a scrap book or not, imagining that you will be can give you some ideas.  Even things that right now you think are uninteresting can really capture the real mood.  For example, pictures of guests or family arriving from out of town can support lasting memories.   Pictures of you getting your hair done can be a reminder of all the preparation you went through before the big event.  You could even take photos of the tedious process of addressing and sending out the Quinceanera invitations.

And even though you’re the center of attention, you won’t be the only thing happening at the celebration.  Some of the best photos may be of your guests enjoying themselves.

The quality of your friends’ photos may not be that of your professional pictures, and you’ll almost certainly end up deleting many.  But having lots of amateur photographers will likely lead to some really great, authentic, unposed, candid shots that will preserve lasting memories.

Start with the paper selection.  Art supply stores and craft shops are great places to find beautiful paper for your Quinceanera invitations.  With all the colors available, remember to consider the color of your ink and how it will show up on the paper.  Consider choosing paper the same color as your gown or other part of your theme.  The texture is also important.  Many papers, while beautiful, will not hold ink well, and may cause your printer to jam.  Specialty art stores are likely to be able to help you select an appropriate stock.  Find a couple options that will work, and buy just a sample to test before buying a large quantity.  Also, there’s nothing wrong at all with traditional card stock.  Blank invitations can be found at craft stores, and often include envelopes. In fact, Amazon offers a beatiful set of stock cards that allow you to print your own Quinceanera invitations.

Use your computer to design the content.  Many software applications such as MS Word, have built-in card templates that can be useful.  Often, Quinceanera invitations include a photo of the girl.  If you choose this route, you may want to use a head shot.  If you’ll be wearing a formal gown and have it at this point, a full photo of yourself in the gown is appropriate.  You can also find elegant art on the Internet that may be used beautifully.  Try a search on “free clip art” for a start.  You may even find something specific to a Quinceanera celebration.  The verse, or wording,  is up to you but will almost always be on behalf of the parents or the girl and parents together.  Include a poem or short biblical verse if you have the space, but don’t try to cram too much on the page.

You can also add some ornamentation to your Quinceanera invitations if you like.  Ribbons, lace, or a small bit of other material may be added for a touch of elegance and creativity.  Again, browse your local art supply or craft stores for ideas.

Depending on how creative you want to be, making your own Quinceanera invitations can be time consuming.  Try requesting help from family members (as long as they promise not to smear chocolate on the paper!).  They’ll likely be pleased to help and honored that you asked.  In the end, you’ll have beautiful Quinceanera invitations you can be proud of, your family can share in the process, and you’ve saved a bundle as well!.

The boys are dressed impeccably, and are appropriate for the formal aspect of the celebration, and can serve as legitimate escorts.   They may roll in the limo and sit at the head table with the Quinceanra, but the real draw may be their dancing – and I don’t mean just the waltz.  After changing from their formal digs into their dancing shoes, the scene becomes a hopping, even sexually suggestive event.  Girls scream for the ‘booty dance” while the boys who don’t dance look on with envy.

At a cost of $1000-$2000, the cadets are increasing in popularity, especially in Texas.

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