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From elegant décor to the dress of your dreams, now you can have everything on your quinceanera wish list and stay under budget.

Adapt the following money-saving tips (sorted by category) to your personality, budget, and theme.

Self Expenses

Planning

Decorations

Invitations

Venue

Catering & Quince Cake

Guests

Photo & Video

Hair & Makeup

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Self Expenses

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We won’t encourage you to drink coffee, but if it’s a must, brew it at your house before heading to school.

Plus, you get to keep it for at least 3 weeks! Not that RedBox is expensive, but little by little—with one rental per week—you might be spending up to $150 a year (and MORE if you count late fees).

For any purchase you make, keep all the coins in a jar and see how they accumulate over time. That could be money allocated towards your accessories.

Clip the coupons you need from newspapers and magazines, or sign up for mailing lists that send special offers. You can even download apps offering discounts at well-known retail stores.

Many of the pieces sold at thrift stores have only been worn a few times. Try looking for thrift stores in upscale areas for better quality items. Plus, you can even donate your own clothes for money.

You can easily buy nail polish at the swap meet for $1 each.

Quit giving Starbucks your money!

Did you know most local libraries rent movies for $1 or less?

Keep the change!

Be a proud couponer!

Shop at thrift stores—it’s better than you think

Skip the nail salon

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PlanningHowever, if friends and family are offering help with any of the expenses, GO FOR IT! It’s in bad taste to ask others to “sponsor” your fiesta, but if your padrinos offer to pay– say, for your invitations– kindly accept their contribution.

Planning well in advance gives you more time to save, more time to find the best deals, and more time to negotiate with vendors.

For example, you can get modern black vases on sale after Halloween and pretty pink ones after Valentine's Day.

or sites such as El Clasificado or Craigslist for second-hand Quinceanera items. Many girls have found their perfect dress this way at a fraction of the cost. And don’t forget, you can do the same after your quinceanera, too.

Considering the exchange rate, you can cut your quince expenses in half.

ask a family member with a cool sports car if he or she can give you a ride. You can even decorate your dad’s car.

Having food at every practice will add up. Plus, some damas might expect your parents to pay for their dress. Avoid the drama, extra expenses, and save time!

Rule #1: If you can’t afford a party, don’t have one!

Take your time:

Do your shopping out of season:

Try looking on Quinceanera.com’s FB group...

It may be cheaper to go to your parents or grandparents' motherland

Instead of renting a limo…

Do not have a court of honor

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Barbies and Cabbage Patch Kids are cheaper and less creepy.

It’s cheaper to alter a dress that’s too big than a dress that’s too small.

Short dresses and puffy prom dresses are way cheaper and equally gorgeous!

like Black Friday and after-Christmas sales.

Ask your close family members to help you pick up the flowers, cake, dress, etc.

You have other options besides a custom porcelain doll

Rent your quinceanera dress

Choose a group quinceanera mass over an individual quinceanera mass

Buy a quinceanera dress off the rack that fits to avoid alteration costs

Shop for a dress that isn’t labeled a quinceanera dress

Take advantage of big sales and year-end deals…

Cut back on delivery charges

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Stick to flowers that are in-season. Also, check out the nearby local flower markets. Don’t forget to ask for wholesale prices!

so you won’t have to use as many fresh flowers.

But be realistic and know your limits. Sometimes, sourcing all the materials and taking the time to create 100 centerpieces might cost you just as much as renting items from a party supply store.

so you’ll only need a few centerpieces and tablecloths.

Spend your money on items that your guests can use during or after the party, like fans, mirrors, coasters, and edibles.

You will still have to invest some money, but a lot less than paying a professional for an artistic balloon sculpture.

rather than natural flowers, such as silk and paper flowers.

Cut back on the flower budget

Add more baby breath and greens to your flower decorations...

Get crafty with DIY

Get bigger tables…

Choose practical party favors!

Look into creating DIY balloon arches

Select budget-friendly alternatives...

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Decorations

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Some grocery stores have a floral department with skilled florists who can make the centerpieces you envision for a fraction of the price.

Some venues have a professional sound system available for you to plug in your laptop. Create a playlist and hire an MC to enliven the party.

You can easily create a backdrop and print out your own props. Have one of your family members snap the pictures from their camera. If you have an iPad, use a tripod and Bluetooth remote to take the pictures.

Order your flowers from a grocery store instead of hiring a florist

Sell your décor after your party to pay off any debts

DJ your quinceanera or ask a friend to do it

DIY your photo booth

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Create a website with all the details of your party instead of sending out physical invitations.

Go digital instead of print!32

select an inexpensive material and ink option.

If printing is still a must…33

instead of sending them via the postal service.

Email your “Save-the-Dates”...34

Most stationery vendors will offer discounts for printing all your paper products through them.

Score on package deals35

The US Postal Service will charge extra if the length of the envelope divided by the height is less than 1.3 or more than 2.5 inches.

Use simple, standard-sized envelopes36

Photoshop will save you money on paper goods, but you must master it first. Apart from Photoshop, you can purchase invitation templates at your nearest office supply store. Customize the message and print it out yourself.

Print your own invitations37

You wouldn’t want to reprint your invitations because you misspelled your dama’s name or have the wrong address for the reception.

Proofread your invitations carefully38

You don’t need your guests to open an envelope just to find another enclosed. Use one envelope to save trees.

Save paper39

Multiple pages will cost more.

Print all your event details on one page40

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Invitations

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Avoid Saturdays if possible.

Think off-peak season and save thousands!41

such as a caterer/bartender/DJ. You will find much better deals by selecting your own vendor.

Find a venue that doesn’t require you to use a particular vendor…42

so it’s always worth it to find a venue that doesn’t need much decorating. Sounds simple, but it will save you a ton of work!

Decorations can be super expensive…43

in December for Christmas, so it’s worth bearing that in mind.

Remember, most venues will already be nicely decorated44

lush gardens, and a pool, then ask if you can host your quinceanera in her backyard. Also, community parks will often have a hall available for rent with cheaper hourly rates for residents. Another option is having your reception at a restaurant. Think about it: tables, chairs, linens, silverware, and décor are all included.

If you have an aunt with a huge backyard…45

V E N U E

like barbecue chicken, mac and cheese, and corn. It's fun and often cheaper. Alternatively, ask your family to prepare the food. Check with your venue to ensure they’ll allow you to bring your own food. Remember, it’s always cheaper to serve buffet style instead of table service.

Serve comfort foods…46

Only the top of the cake is real, and the rest is just for decoration. You can have basic sheet cakes in the back for caterers to cut and serve.

Have a baker make a fake cardboard cake47

over fondant and tiered cakes.

Choose buttercream and single layered cakes…48

Making 100 cupcakes could be much cheaper and may even look better. Or how about baking 100 custom designed cookies? Think outside the box and you’ll save money while impressing your friends.

Don’t feel like you need a cake49

Although most of your adult guests would love to drink alcohol, not serving it will easily save you up to $3,000.

Kiss the open bar bye-bye!50

stick to beer and wine.

If you do choose to serve alcohol at the reception...51

ask someone who bakes at home to design your cake. Who knows, they might even offer to pay for it.

Instead of a large bakery...52

Some caterers charge a cake-cutting fee by the slice.

Cut the cake yourself53

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Catering & Quince Cake

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Less guests = less food, less invitations, and less party favors.

Cut the guest list54

This will help you make last-minute catering arrangements. Not a single dish will go to waste.

Have your guests RSVP two weeks prior to your quinceanera

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Statistically, 80 percent on your guest list will attend, 20 percent won’t.

Keep this in mind:57

Follow the diagram on the right to decide who you should or should not invite to your quince:

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GUESTS

or friends of friends who are photography enthusiasts. If so, they might be willing to take photos for you. Remember, you don’t want to ask anyone super close to you, as it’s likely they’ll be spending most of the time taking pictures. By doing this you’ll be saving thousands, so don’t forget to give them a gift in return!

Check if you have any family member’s friends...58

to compare prices. Attend the Quinceanera.com Expo & Fashion Show and check online reviews.

Meet with at least four vendors...59

which is usually the shoot and an online gallery or DVD. This will allow you to choose which prints to buy and when.

Choose the basic package…60

Chances are, their prices will be way more affordable since you’re doing them the favor of building their portfolio.

Hire a freelance photographer fresh out of school61

to cut the number of hours with the photographer.

Plan the cake cutting and waltz earlier in the night…62

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Photo & Video

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Put their talent to the test prior to your quince so you know what you’re dealing with for free.

Ask a talented friend to do your hair and makeup63

Often times they will do your makeup with a minimum purchase, which means you get to keep the products to reapply at your quince.

Go to a makeup counter at the mall64

The price usually skyrockets as soon as you reveal the occasion is your quinceanera. Instead, book your appointment as a dama.

Don’t say it’s for your quinceanera!66

If you’re a makeup enthusiast, you probably have a drawer filled with lipsticks and eye shadows. Just make sure none are expired and practice before your big day.

Use your own makeup67

Makeup counters will often give you a promotional gift with your purchase, which you can save to achieve your quinceanera look.

Use coupons and take advantage of sales to buy your makeup68

instead of having a glam squad come to your house.

Drive to a beauty salon69

They’ve been working with the pro for years, so they know what they’re doing.

Book the makeup artist’s or hairstylist’s assistant70

Gain skills for life in addition to saving money.

Take beauty lessons71

You’ll wear that expensive headpiece once, so chances are, she’ll let you borrow it.

Borrow hair accessories from a friend72

Students need to complete a certain number of hours before becoming a makeup artist or hairstylist, so you would be doing them a favor. Best of all, you wouldn’t have to drive to multiple places for your look.

Consider going to a cosmetology school65

HAIR & MAKEUP