Quinceañera: The Movie Theme
by: Michael Kabel

Do you have a favorite movie? Do you think it could make a good Quinceañera theme?

It seems strange to believe, but movies have been entertaining and inspiring audiences for more than a hundred years. Experts believe there are probably over one billion films already made! In all those choices, there's undoubtedly something that fits your own Quinceañera vision.

You've probably already heard about themes like the Cinderella theme, the beach party theme, and the spring garden party. Most people, it's safe to say, got their ideas about how those events should look from watching movies. As you plan your Quinceañera celebration, you might wish to adopt the setting, feel, and decorations of a favorite film to suit your fiesta.

Finding the best film for your fiesta

Ideally, the movie that will work best with your Quinceañera fiesta is a story with exotic or glamorous settings. For example, a fiesta based on the Harry Potter series of films might be decorated to resemble Hogwart's castle, and serve the strange delicacies the young wizards eat while studying there.

You might also go a more romantic route, choosing a night of sophisticated luxury as could be found aboard the Titanic. If you want something more adventurous, you could base the fiesta on the 1920s as presented in Chicago.

Movies can also inspire various themes and settings and provide perfect research for decorations and trimmings. The tea party scene in My Fair Lady is the picture of perfect Victorian garden party elegance. The streets of Morocco in Casablanca are both adventurous and daring, with a hint of European mystery as well.

Decorating to go with your choice of movies

As you plan your Quinceañera event, keep in mind that the movie you pick should reflect your own sense of style - even if it's just for one evening! You can use the details of the film in the big events and the small. If possible, you might have set pieces constructed to resemble the setting of the movie. Or, you might have decorations at each table that evoke something particular about the movie's story.

Think about how much of the movie you want to show off, and then work through the details. For example, if you base your theme off a movie set in the 1920s, you might dress your chambelanes up in a full tuxedo coat and tails, as was the fashion of the time. If you've picked a film set in the future or on another world, think about giving favors of elegant sculpted glass or fabric that have a futuristic, shimmering look.

You are the "leading lady" of your fiesta.

Your apparel and gown for the fiesta can be an exact representation of the film's star - an elaborate gown, a fantastic costume, or something in between. Just be sure to plan early, make sure you have an accurate pattern or visual from which to work. You should also make sure the gown doesn't soak up too much of your overall budget.