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I'm going to tell you how special quinces in El Salvador are, but first I have to say that salvadoreñas are BEAUTIFUL! One of my favorite supermodels of all time is salvadoreña Christie Turlington (her mom is from El Salvador). Also, my friend, reporter Elizabeth Espinosa from KTLA Channel 5 in Los Angeles, is another gorgeous and talented salvadoreña. Elizabeth is actually the one who inspired me to write a post about la Fiesta Rosa.

Quinceañeras in El Salvador are called "Fiesta Rosa," or "rose party." The reason for the name is obvious. Everything is pink: pink dress, pink hat, pink gloves, pink bouquet, pink shoes, and pink decorations. In some cultures, rosa or rosado signifies innocence and girlhood.

El Salvador is a very Catholic culture, so that is why to start off the Fiesta Rosa, there is a traditional Thanksgiving mass, when family members present the quinceañera with gifts. A lot of Fiestas Rosas are celebrated in August, when salvadoreños also honor the patron saint of El Salvador, named El Salvador del Mundo. August 6 is the national day of celebration, but the parties and parades last during the whole first week of August — which is actually happening right now, as I'm blogging!

La Fiesta Rosa is a big feast, usually prepared by the family and consisting of typical Salvadorean dishes, like casamiento, which is a mixture of rice and beans, and pupusas, which is cornmeal stuffed with cheese, refried beans, and chicharrón (fried pork fat).

Pupusas are one of the most important typical dishes of El Salvador and can't be missed at the Fiesta Rosa. Similar to the Venezuelan arepas, the pupusa is handmade tortilla made of masa de maíz, a thick corn dough frequently used in Latin American cuisine. The pupusa is usually stuffed with either queso (cheese), refried beans (frijoles refritos), fried pork rind (chicharrón), and squash (ayote). Here's a recipe if you want to add a piece of El Salvador to your own quince, or Fiesta Rosa!

Click READ MORE to get the recipe!

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¡Viva México! What a great country. Even though I’m Dominican, I love everything about Mexico: the people, the food, the beaches, the traditions, and especially the quinceañeras.

If you're looking for a colorful, budget-friendly theme, consider hosting an outdoor party themed around a particular Hispanic culture, whether it's your own or just a Latin country you love.

When you’re done reading my ideas, tell me yours! How you would organize a party themed around your Hispanic roots?

MEXICAN “FIESTA”

Find a public park in your area, preferably one with fountains, arches, and beautiful statues. Go to the city's department of parks and recreation and get a permit to have your party there. There will probably be a small fee, but it’s much cheaper than renting a banquet hall.

Make your cake in the shape of one of Mexico’s ancient pyramids, which are among the largest in the world! Serve a variety of food, "the whole enchilada," as the saying goes: tacos, tamales, arroz, frijoles, chips and salsa. Make the "adult" drinks — margaritas, sangria, and mojitos — without alcohol for you, your friends, and kids in the familia. Add loads of color with streamers, balloons, plates, napkins, and tablecloths.

Do I even have to mention the music? It goes without saying! You can perform a couple of cultural dances, or baile folklórico, and the guys can wear mariachi outfits. (Did you know actress Shelbie Bruce had a mariachi band at her quince? Check out her photo album here.) HOW FUN!

DOMINICAN “PERICO RIPIAO”

Again, find a park and get a permit from the city. Use the colors of la bandera dominicana, which is the same as the U.S. flag colors: red, white, and blue. You can wear a white dress, the cake can be white with red roses, and you can choose royal blue napkins tied with white ribbon. Decorate with red, white, and blue balloons.

For food, serve traditional rice and beans. Make fabulous hors d’oeuvres with plantains. You can serve “virgin” or alcohol-free versions of mojitos, sangria, and Cuba libre (cola with lime). Don’t forget the popular Dominican beverage morir sonañdo, the sweet orange juice-milk beverage whose name literally means “to die in a dream” — it’s that good!

The first dance can be a meringue like “Si tú no bailas conmigo” by Juan Luis Guerra. “Quinceañera” by Caña Brava can be your group presentation.

OTHER HISPANIC CULTURES

You can create a theme around any Latin culture. For example, if you go Venezuelan, dance salsa and serve arepas, the corn-based bread. One girl told me that in Venezuela some padrinos give the quinceañera 15 gold coins, to symbolize prosperity and good fortune. The coins are known as arras and it’s a tradition borrowed from weddings.

In Puerto Rico, where the folk music is “bomba y plena,” it is customary for the last doll to be placed at the head of the main table. Her dress is pinned with little charms called capias. The charms are given to the guests as keepsakes at the end of the party.

There's never a shortage of ideas for quince themes. Don’t forget to share yours with me!

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It’s never too early to start thinking about a place to have your quinceañera party. Ideally, you should book the ceremony and after-party locations a year in advance. Not sure where to begin?

First, decide on the season and month to have your quinceañera, rather than an exact day. This gives you more flexibility, in case the place is already booked. Remember, you don’t have to celebrate the exact day or week you turn 15 — a quinceañera can be anytime during your 15th year.

Ask around and search the Internet for places. Make a list of your top choices, and set up appointments to meet with coordinators at each location.

Make sure to ask the all-important questions about comida.
1. What menu choices does the hall offer? Get the price options for:
- a full menu
- a set menu (ask if there are options for each course)
- a buffet with service
- a self-serve buffet
- canapés (fancy finger foods) served with drinks

2. Are you allowed to work with an outside catering company or bring your own food in?
3. Are there any extra costs for linens and dinnerware, centerpieces, and special chair covers?

Then, dive into questions about music.
- Is there equipment for you or a DJ to use?
- Is there space for a live band if desired?
- Do they provide background music?
- Can you choose or provide your own tapes?

And, of course, ask about timing:
- What time can you enter the room?
- Will you have to leave at a particular time? You don’t want guests to have to hurry out because there is another event right after yours.

These aren’t all the questions you should be asking, but they’ll get you started. Start a new notebook to record everything related to your party planning. Write other questions you think of here, then take it to your venue visits and record the coordinator’s answers. It’s best to keep all your notes in one place.

Are there any other questions you think are important to ask before you book?

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1. Western or patriotic theme

Time of the year:
Summer or around July 4th
Your dress:
Red, white, or royal blue
Your court:
Girls — Cropped jean skirts and plaid shirttails tied into a front knot, cowboy boots, and pigtails.
Guys — Blue jeans, plaid shirts, cowboy hats, and bolo ties.
Decoration:
Red, white, and blue all the way!
Food:
Everything barbecue, including chips and salsa.
Music:
Rock-and-roll, country, and all-American, like 80s one-hit wonders and country party music.

2. Luau, tropical, or beach theme

Time of the year:
Summer, unless you live in a coastal city. You can go to the beach or an indoor or outdoor swimming pool.
Your dress:
White, yellow, turquoise, or lime green
Your court:
Girls — Short, flowing white dresses, hula skirts or pareos/sarongs, bright flowers in their hair, and bare feet.
Guys — Rolled-up jeans, Hawaiian shirts or guayaberas, and bare feet
Decoration:
Tropical flowers, fern, and fake or real palm trees. Seashells, pineapples, coconuts, and banana leaves; floral-print tablecloths.
Food:
Finger foods, fresh tropical fruits, veggies, sushi, BBQ ribs, fried chicken, egg rolls, chicken or beef teriyaki, macaroni and potato salads, white rice.
Music:
Latin, reggae, Hawaiian music, surf

3. Hollywood or American star theme

Time of the year:
Anytime! Especially great for during awards season, like in January for the Oscars, June for the ALMA Awards, September for the Emmys and the VMAs, or November for the Latin Grammys.
Your dress:
White, gold, silver — with sparkles!
Your court:
Girls — Sequin dresses with feather boas.
Guys — Tuxes with slicked-back hair and dark glasses. Vests should match the damas’ color.
Decoration:
Stars like the glow-in-the-dark kind you stick to the wall, disco ball, spotlights, movie cameras and reels, red carpet, directors chairs, and your picture everywhere!
Food:
Hollywood is as international as it gets. Anything goes. You can set it up with pictures of your favorite stars, with award statues in between plates.
Music:
Big band, swing, jazz, and all your karaoke favorites

4. Masquerade or Mardi Gras party

Time of the year:
Autumn, winter, Christmas, or February for Mardi Gras
Your dress:
White, purple, orange, red, brown, gold, or copper
Your court:
Girls — Long gowns in different but complementary colors, jazzed up with lace, pearls, gloves, fans, hair feathers, and masks.
Guys — Tuxes with tails, hair slicked back, masks, capes, and canes.
Decoration:
Lots of candles or candelabras, masks, pearls, and feathers on the tables. Fabric draped everywhere, over doorways and at different points in the room, balloons in the metallic/autumn color scheme.
Food:
Hors d'oeuvres, finger foods — these are better for this occasion because they’re easier to handle when you are wearing a costume.
Music:
New Orleans/Cajun, waltz, carnival-like music

5. Hippie or 60s theme

Time of the year:
Spring or summer
Your dress:
Cream or pastel colors
Your court:
Girls — Miniskirts with colorful leggings, big hair, round glasses, boots, bandannas, and daisies.
Guys — Afros, bell bottoms, and peace-sign necklaces
Decoration:
Love beads, peace signs, flower garlands, yellow smiley faces, lava lamps, strobe lights — anything psychedelic!
Food:
Foods that will be easy to serve: Chili; chips with guacamole and salsa; cocktail wieners, either plain or wrapped in a puff pastry; stuffed mushrooms; cherry tomatoes stuffed with tuna salad.
Music:
Go-go, British Invasion, Motown

Tell us what twist you would give these party themes at your own quinceañera! Comment below.

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THE CAKE

• Here’s a dessert setup that allows for a large number of padrinos: Order a small but well-decorated cake that will stand out as a centerpiece on the dessert table. Place it on a cake stand for extra attention. Then, ask your friends and relatives to bake five to 10 smaller cakes in different shapes and flavors. Maybe the cakes will have sentimental value. For me, those special desserts would have been tres leches cake or the unforgettable flan that my tía Aida makes. When the time comes to cut and serve, each padrino can explain his or her choice of cake.
• Cupcakes are always fun. See my photo for inspiration!
• Also, check out this easy cake recipe on Mis Quince, from the new Pink Princess Cookbook.

THE FOOD

In my opinion, hors d'oeuvres are less expensive than a full meal or a sit-down dinner, especially if served buffet style. You save money because there is no need for a waiter. Also, people tend to eat more when the food is brought to them, so by going buffet-style, you won’t have to order as much.

DECORATIONS

• Decorate with flowers that are in season at the time of your party — they’ll be cheaper. For example, on the southwest coast of the U.S., calla lilies — a flower made famous in Mexican paintings — are always in season, so they’re pretty affordable. But on the East Coast, this gorgeous flower doesn’t grow naturally and can be very expensive.
• If you don’t like the live flowers available, opt for silk flowers. I love them mixed in with fresh greens — such as fern, ivy, or baby’s breath — and tied together with ribbon. It’s hard to tell they’re not real.
• Decorate with balloons. They are even cheaper than flowers. You can add color to tables by tying balloons to the back of chairs. You can also tie balloon bouquets to colorful shopping bags filled with tissue paper, and use them as centerpieces. Add a surprise gift inside the bag arrangements, and you can turn it into a prize for your guests.
• If you don’t use flowers or balloons, another option is chair covers, which are easy to make with color fabrics and a glue gun. Use giant bows made out of chiffon, tulle, wide ribbon, or a combination of these. Save extra and avoid overdoing it by putting chair decorations on every other chair.

Which other moneysaving tricks have you seen at quinceañeras? I’m always looking for new ideas to share on my blog. Comment below!

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