What's inside this kit

Six tools to help you plan a quinceañera that feels beautiful, organized, and unforgettable — without burning your budget on surprises.

1. Quinceañera Planning Checklist

The order of operations most families learn the hard way.

• 12 months out: Set your date + budget. Book the venue first — dates go fast in the RGV.
• 9 months out: Lock in the photographer + videographer. Both book up a year ahead.
• 6 months out: Choose your court + start dance rehearsals. Book the DJ + entertainment.
• 4 months out: Final dress fittings. Order invitations.
• 3 months out: Confirm menu, cake, décor. Send invitations.
• 1 month out: Final headcount. Rehearsal dinner. Confirm timeline with every vendor.
• Week of: Final venue walk-through. Pre-pay all balances. Pack the emergency kit.

2. Venue Tour Question List

Print this and bring it to every venue tour.

• What is the total cost — base rate plus every fee?
• Is service charge already included or added at the end?
• How many hours of access do we get? What's the overtime rate?
• Are tables, chairs, linens, setup, and breakdown included?
• Do you have a food and beverage minimum?
• Can we bring our own caterer, DJ, or photographer? Any restrictions?
• What is included in décor? What costs extra?
• Do you have a backup plan for outdoor ceremonies if it rains?
• What does the deposit cover, and what is the refund policy?
• Have you hosted quinceañeras for our guest count before? Can we see photos?

3. Hidden Cost Warning Sheet

The line items most families forget — until the final invoice shows up.

• Photography extras: Edited galleries, additional digital files, printed albums, and special edits often cost more than the base photo package.
• Vendor gratuities: Plan for 10-20% tips for catering staff, DJs, photographers, and videographers — that's hundreds to thousands extra.
• DJ add-ons: Extra hours, song-request fees, special lighting, fog machines, or upgraded sound systems.
• Décor rentals: Linens, chair covers, specialty centerpieces, lighting, and the dance floor itself may all rent separately.
• Transportation: Limos and party buses for the court add up fast.
• Out-of-town guest lodging: Blocked hotel rooms are nice but not free.
• Service charges: Many venues add 18-25% at the very end — that's $1,000-$5,000 you didn't expect.

Budget tip: Add a 15% contingency on top of every estimate. You will need it.

4. Package Comparison Worksheet

All-inclusive vs. piecing it together.

Use this side-by-side to see what you'd actually spend going piece by piece versus an all-in package.

• Venue rental: ___
• Catering for ___ guests: ___
• DJ + MC: ___
• Décor + centerpieces: ___
• Photo booth: ___
• Cake or dessert table: ___
• Setup + breakdown staff: ___
• Service charge (18-25% of total): ___
• Vendor tips (10-20%): ___
• Total à la carte: ___
• All-inclusive package: ___
• Difference + stress saved: ___

5. Timeline Starter Template

A working timeline for the event itself.

• Guest arrival + cocktail hour: 6:00 PM
• Court grand entrance: 6:45 PM
• Quinceañera grand entrance + presentation: 7:00 PM
• Dinner service: 7:15 PM
• Toasts + speeches: 8:00 PM
• Father-daughter dance + waltz: 8:15 PM
• Crown ceremony / last doll / changing of shoes: 8:30 PM
• Surprise dance: 8:45 PM
• Cake cutting: 9:00 PM
• Open dance floor + DJ set: 9:15 PM
• Photo booth + special entertainment (robot, hora loca, etc.): 9:30-11:30 PM
• Final farewell: 11:45 PM
• Vendor breakdown: 12:00 AM

6. Bonus: Private Promotion Eligibility Check

After you fill out the event details form, we'll check if your date qualifies for a current private promotion at Jackson Square Event Center. Promotions are time-sensitive — book your venue tour within 7 days of joining the list to protect your offer.