QUINCEAÑERA

opportunity, and we want to give it to our daughters.”

García has been in the quinceañera business for nearly 40 years and has witnessed the tradition grow stronger and stronger.

“The future of this industry is very big,” she said. “Wherever there is a Hispanic community, there will be a quinceañera.”

In San Diego County, where more than an estimated a third of the population is of Latino descent, these celebrations are gradually resuming in full splendor after being interrupted by pandemic restrictions.

For some families, mostly Catholics, the celebration usually begins with a Mass to give thanks and pray for this new stage in life, and is followed by a big party at a house backyard, a hall or another local venue. It is an occasion that brings together extended family and friends who sometimes make the trip from other states or countries.

Depending on several factors, including the number of guests, the cost of a quinceañera party can range anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000, according to an estimate by The Bash, a specialized-event planning website. To cover the cost, many families receive the support of relatives or godparents (padrinos), who help with the expenses.

The behind-the-scenes planning begins months — sometimes years — in advance. Some families do it on their own; others rely on professionals. It is all about finding the perfect dress, venue, theme, food and decorations — everything to please the young quinceañera on this once-ina-lifetime occasion.

“It’s basically a mini wedding,” said Lucy Perpuly, an event planner who seven years ago opened her San Diego business Perpuly Events. “The planning is pretty much the same.”

While many quinceañeras opt for the traditional princess-like dress in pastel tones, there are those who look for other styles that suit their personalities. García said she has seen the evolution in styles, but especially in colors.

“Colors that I would never have thought would be in a quinceañera are now being used,” she added.

Selecting the party’s theme has become a crucial part of the event, and a chance for the quinceañera to show her unique identity.

Perpuly, who has organized more than 100 quinceañera parties throughout San Diego County, believes that with the rise of social media it is easier for the teenagers to find ideas for what they want. She said it is common for them to ask her about her Instagram or Tiktok. And Pinterest is still one of the most popular among them, she said.

For those looking for a religious celebration, a church date and time must be set aside way in advance.

“The religious aspect is important to many people,” said Father Neal Wilkinson, better known as Padre Pepe, of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Logan Heights.

In Catholicism, the quinceañera Mass is not a sacrament, but even so, Catholics take the opportunity to thank God and the Virgin Mary and ask them to be the guide in this new stage of the young woman’s life.

Wilkinson estimates that, on average, Our Lady of Guadalupe has a “quince” Mass every weekend. That is why it is recommended to book at least nine months in advance, said Bertha Olivas, the church’s secretary.

For registered parishioners, booking the church costs around $600; otherwise it is about $1,000.

A heritage tribute and the twirl that sealed the deal

Like many quinceañeras, Zoey Grande lost count of all the dresses she tried on. Her hunt began in San Diego County. Because of the pandemic, many of the stores she visited couldn’t have the dress in time for her big day last August, even if she paid extra, recalled her mother, Melissa Grande. But someone recommended that they extend their search to Los Angeles, and that’s where they found it.

It was a jade-colored, strapless, princess-style gown with an embroidered top, and she also wore a pink flower crown for an enchanted forest-themed party.

“I wanted a really big dress. I wanted it to be very sparkly, and different,” Zoey said. “Once I tried it on, I did my twirl, and the twirl was everything for me.”

Her mother remembers that moment clearly.

“When she was twirling in it, and she danced with her stepdad in it, that was it, that locked the deal,” Grande said.

Following the Mass held at Our Lady of Angels Church in Sherman Heights, the family moved to the Marina Village Conference Center for the celebration.

After dancing to a waltz, there was a special performance that the family made sure to incorporate into the event. Zoey and her mother are members of a danza azteca group called Calpulli Mexihca, and she changed into traditional attire for a dance that served as a comingof-age ceremony.

“Our dances are blessings and prayers,” she said. “Everyone who was dancing was praying for her and offering blessings to the universe, the creator, the four directions, for her new journey and chapter in life.”

It was an emotional moment for the family.

Even though the party had been postponed for the pandemic, and not everything went as planned — one of the chambelanes(a member of the quinceañera’s court) missed the party due to illness — the family was just grateful to be able to have the experience.

“We all had big expectations for the quinceañera, but once COVID came in, we had this mentality of, ‘You know what? At least you are having a quinceañera, because a lot of girls didn’t even get to have one,’ ” Grande said. “We said to Zoey, ‘What matters at the end of the day is that you are having a blessing from church, from the danza. We made it alive and we are here.’ ”

TTeam Jacob or Team Edward?

hough many celebrations are strictly traditional, a quick scroll through videos of today’s celebrations on Tiktok will show just how much personality the quinceañeras can bring into their parties, from the inclusion of costumed “Spongebob Squarepants” characters at one party to the incorporation of Disney princesses in others.

The “Twilight” franchise is huge in the Torres family. María Bacilia García reminisces about the days when her niece and older daughter watched these vampire romance movies when they first came out. Her younger twin daughters, Alinna and Annalya, also became fans.

When they reached their teen years, the family began to inquire if the twins would like a party. The idea of the “classic, old-fashioned, fancy pink dress” didn’t appeal to them, García said.

“When they were refusing to