party themes

When planning an outdoor quince, you take a chance on the weather. But I think it's worth it! (Have a plan B in case of rain, of course.) Before I go into the fun of planning a quince at a beach or in your backyard, we have to go over the practical stuff. There are five things I always tell quince girls to remember if they're planning an outdoor party:

1. Alert your guests if they have to walk on grass or rough terrain. You want to make sure the women aren't wearing high heels if that's the case!

2. Think of the elderly relatives. They can't sit out in the sun or heat for too long, so make sure there are shady spots or indoor places they can rest.

3. Beware of bugs. To keep them away, set up citronella candles or bug-repellent lanterns (the company OFF! makes them).

4. Make sure there is appropriate room and electrical outlets for DJs and bands to set up outside.

5. Ask the local authorities about noise restrictions or about any permits that might be required if you're in a public place like a park. It would be a bummer to get a fine!

If you're having your quince at the beach...

I can't resist a beach-themed quince that's actually at the beach! Although a beach is an unusual place for a quinceañera, it's really easy to put together and it can be inexpensive because it's so casual. Of course, just because the mood is casual doesn't mean you can't dress up like a princess. There's nothing like running around in the sand all dressed up. After all, it is YOUR day.

If you start the party in early afternoon and carry through the night, you'll have the benefit of the sunset — SO HOT! You can do a barbecue and eat in front of a bonfire, not to mention dance in the sand. It's so much fun. Keep it simple: Serve hot dogs and hamburgers, cool tropical drinks, salads with cucumber, and pineapples. You can set it up like a buffet and create a "gazebo" (a tiny roof supported by two or four columns) for the cake, so it won't melt in the sun.

To get more ideas for decorating and planning a beach-themed quince, check out MisQuinceMag.com's guide here. You can also take this quiz to see if a beach-themed quince fits your personality.

Click READ MORE to see my tips for having a quince in the backyard.

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The great thing about masquerade balls is that you can plan them for any season. They can be wild, casual, or formal. The only requirement is that you and your guests wear masks! For the sake of this conversation, let's make it formal, elegant, and romantic, like Phantom of the Opera! If you don't know it, this is a very famous musical that has a masquerade ball scene.

For this theme, think Venice in the 19th century. First, pick the colors purple, green, and gold, or any related shades, like burgundy, royal blue, and mustard. On your invitation, ask everyone to wear dressy outfits in those colors. (The guys can wear black slacks with a shirt or tie in any of those colors.) Challenge the guests to bring a unique mask. Give a prize for the best decorated one! So everyone can get in the spirit, be sure to provide fun accessories like masks, hats, feathers, feather boas, gloves, capes, and canes. You can pick these up from a party store.

You want to have bright lights at the entrance of your party, maybe even a spotlight to feature some of the outfits. Inside lights should be dim. Decorate the area with masks, white holiday lights, and candles everywhere. Put candelabra on the tables and thick drapes on the windows.

The presentation dances can be classical songs from Phantom of the Opera (click READ MORE to see a suggested playlist). The party can be divided in two parts. The first half of the night can be formal. Play mellow music for the first couple of hours during the dinner, like instrumentals on a cello, harp, or violin. The second half can be lively, more casual, and fun.

If you have a photo of yourself at a masquerade ball, send it to me! I may post it on my blog.

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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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