You're the Star of Your Hollywood Quinceañera
by: Michael Kabel

Your Quinceañera celebration is much like an epic Hollywood production. It's like a movie where you're the star, your Court of Honor is your supporting cast, and the venue is your Hollywood soundstage. In fact, in many ways it's only appropriate to think of your coming of age celebration as your "world premiere."

If you're crazy for the movies or if you're just searching for ways to add some old-school glamour to your fiesta decorations and attire, the answers you're looking for could be as close as the next movie theatre.

The venue is your soundstage and your theatre.

The Hollywood theme lets your dress up your fiesta venue like one of the classic movie palaces seen at big movie industry premieres (like Hollywood's Graumann's Chinese Theatre, probably the most famous theatre in the world.) Decorating the venue is easy: put up posters of your favorite (or just the latest) movies on the outside walls. Many local theatres throw out old posters when they're done, and will often give them away on request.

Let guests follow a red carpet as they enter, and have one of the venue's service staff there to greet them (preferably in an usher's uniform.) You can set up a snack cart offering them small boxes of popcorn as they enter the main ballroom.

Inside the ballroom "theatre" they'll find tall draped curtains around the walls and metallic-hued silver and gold balloons at each table. Your place setting can display favors set out for every guest, around a centerpiece of gold award statues. You can even theme different tables after different movies, so guests can brag about where they're sitting.

Dress yourself up like a star.

For modern glamour, following the latest romantic comedy is a good way to get a line on the hippest formal fashions. If you're looking for something more old-school, study the glamour goddesses of times past such as Ava Gardner, Veronica Lake, and Marilyn Monroe. The secret to the classic Hollywood look is clear, smooth skin and subtle makeup that accentuates the cheekbones and lips.

As you enter, have the room go dark and two spotlights fall upon you, as a movie studio fanfare plays over the music system. The music for your first dance should be something from a classic movie or your own personal favorite "theme song."

Serve an all-star meal.
The full dinner you serve should be a West Coat feast, with light treats like California spring rolls for appetizers and steak or roast for your entrée. You can serve the adults California wines or champagne, and the younger guests can have champagne glasses filled with candies or mints.

As the dancing and music begin, you can also offer the guests something from a dessert cart filled with buttered pretzels, candies and sweets, and more popcorn. Your music playlist can include something from your favorite movies that will keep the crowd moving – everything from the latest hits to classic songs from movie musicals.

Finally, don't be afraid to show "home movies" of yourself on a screen throughout the evening. The older guests especially will appreciate the nostalgia, and it will create a sense of history for the celebration.