A quinceanera is a traditional Latin American rite of passage. These lavish parties celebrate a Latina’s fifteenth birthday. And mark her official transition from childhood into adulthood.
An important quince tradition is the quinceanera court of honor.
The court of honor is a group of young women called damas and young men called chambelanes. They support the quinceanera and participate in traditional quince events.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by planning your quinceanera. Selecting the right members of your court makes the process a lot easier.
Follow these 4 tips and assemble the perfect quince court.
1. Pick People Who Really Matter To You
Your quince court of honor is an important part of your big day. You will be spending a lot of time with your court in preparation — make sure to choose people you care about.
The quinceanera court represents your support system as you transition into adulthood. Your court should include your closest and most supportive friends. It’s also customary to ask family members to participate.
2. Know What You Expect From Your Court
Being part of a quinceanera court is a great honor — and responsibility. Make sure you clearly detail the duties before people commit.
Quince Court of Honor Responsibilities:
- Escort the quincenera to mass.
- Participate in the quinceanera photo shoot.
- Practice and perform the traditional quinceanera waltz.
- Practice and perform the baile sorpresa — suprise dance.
You may want to select a close friend to serve as your dama de honor. Your dama de honor helps you plan and execute your quince. She can be especially helpful in managing a large court.
3. Decide Who Pays for What
Quincenera attire is expensive. Some families choose to cover the cost of tuxedo rentals for the chambelanes and dresses for the damas.
Damas also need to consider the cost of quinceanera make-up, hair, and nails.
Make sure to ask your parents what they are willing to cover before you invite people to join your court. Prospective members need to be aware of any financial commitments.
4. Size Doesn’t Matter
Many girls wonder how many damas and chambelanes are in a quince? The truth is that the size of your quince court doesn’t matter.
Traditional quince courts are 14 damas and 14 chambelanes. And an extra escort for the quinceanera herself. Each couple represents a year in the quince girl’s life.
But modern quinceaneras are flexible with the size and configuration of the court of honor. Many girls opt for smaller courts of 4 to 7 couples. While some only have one chambelan escort.
It all depends on what you want for your special day!
Create Your Perfect Quinceanera Court of Honor
Remember, being part of a quinceanera court of honor is a huge responsibility. Don’t take it personally if any of your friends decline your invitation.
They may be nervous about dancing in public. Or they might not have the time to commit to rehearsals. Be understanding and flexible.
Do you have questions about selecting your quince court? Comment below!