Mexico Living

“Quinceañeras”: how the US adapted this Mexican tradition and turned it into a million-dollar business

June 1, 2023

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Not even four-decade-high inflation is putting a dent in the cherished tradition of celebrating a girl’s 15th birthday with a lavish quinceañera that includes hundreds of guests, a multi-tier cake, and a live music band.

Some families save for years and pay up to $25,000 for this celebration of a girl transitioning from childhood to adulthood.

The tradition seems to be going stronger out of the pandemic, quinceañera shops and planners said. All related businesses, from photography to dance halls and limousines services, are barely keeping up with demand.

César Alejandro Olmos, the owner of Something Different Events, a Fort Worth-based event planning business, said he’s almost fully booked for the year.

“With everything being expensive, [inflation] impacts us in the sense that we have to adapt to [limited] budgets and look for somewhat cheaper things so that we stay within the price range families are willing to pay,” Olmos said.

“But families do want to spend. They want fiesta!”

Quinceañera dancers

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A quinceañera is more than merely throwing a birthday party —it is the celebration of a tradition in the Hispanic culture.

Juan and Mary Ríos have saved for years to fulfill that dream of organizing a quinceañera for their daughter Ivanna.

The Oak Cliff couple has budgeted $25,000 to pay for a party with 300 guests in 2024.

“I would invite all of Dallas”, said Juan Ríos, 50, a construction contractor. “I’m kidding. I’m going to invite our relatives, some acquaintances, our closest people because our daughter is very important to me and I have planned for all of that.”