The Quinceañera Dress Is Important… But Later: Why Booking the Salon Comes First
- Margarita Alamillo
- Jan 23
- 4 min read
(From a Photographer & Mom Perspective)
Yes, people know this but sometimes we get distracted with other things as we look around
After having my daughter's Quinceañera I learned a thing or two that definitely hadn't crossed my mind in my experience as a Quinceañera photographer/videographer. I started looking for the dress first in a like "why not mindset" and didn't realize the importance of focusing on the venue first for the following reasons:
It’s the foundation for your budget.
It sets a timeline for:
- Save the date & Invitations
- Dress alterations due date
- Pre-event photography session booking for event visuals
It determines the style and theme of the event and saves money. ( instead of buying random things)
Let’s be honest: planning a Quinceañera can be stressful! Especially when it comes to the budget. Even if money isn’t tight, reserving your dream venue too late can leave you with fewer options or higher costs.
How Far Ahead Should You Book the Quinceañera Venue/Salon?
Based on years of experience with clients in the Denver area, two years is ideal for popular dates, especially Saturdays in August and September.
Without this early booking, you risk:
Losing your preferred date.
Paying for unnecessary extras and missing out on early bird specials. Remember, inflation is real. Each year, it only gets more expensive.
A Mom’s Lesson: Why I Learned the Hard Way
As a photographer, I’ve seen families plan Quinceañeras for years. But planning my own daughter’s event was definitely a different story.
I started looking for a venue a year later than I should have!
So yeah, it will be hard to follow the timeline, but I hope at least the order of things helps.
In My Case: What Had Me Dragging My Feet
You don't know what you don't know. I had no idea:
How much the deposit would be.
What packages already included.
What I needed to prioritize in my list of wants
Guess what happened?
👉 I spent money on things I didn’t need.
👉 I lost my preferred date.
👉 It was harder to find a venue.
💡 Tip: Before you start booking, make sure you have some savings set aside to comfortably cover your venue deposit. This gives you peace of mind and flexibility to secure the date you want.
The Dress Can Wait… But Not for LONG
Yes, your daughter will be excited to look at dresses 💕 — and that’s fine. Browsing helps:
Understand styles and trends.
Know price ranges.
Dream a little.
But without a confirmed date and venue, ordering a dress too early can create unnecessary stress and expense.
Here’s a real-life example: My daughter was convinced she wanted a sage green dress and almost reserved it. Then she found another one she liked more at another shop. I almost lost the reservation deposit!
It required alterations, like taking off the sleeves completely, which was no easy or fast fix. The first question the shop asked was:
"When is your event?”
And I didn't know, so I asked for the earliest possible date. Let’s just say the alterations weren't optimal, but that was my fault for rushing work that requires time and attention to detail.
Without a Date, We Didn’t Know:
Which alterations we even had time for.
How much to spend on the dress.
When it needed to arrive for the photography session before the event.
💡 Mom Tip: Order the dress to be ready for pick-up at least 4-6 months before the Quince day, with all alterations needed completed.
I tell you this because, sadly, it has happened that the dress is not ready on time for the Quince day. Don't freak out; it's not common, but I don't want it to happen to you.
Don’t Let the Little Things Sneak Up on You
Yes perhaps place the credit card aside for now. It’s easy to think that little décor items from Amazon, Etsy, or Shein are cheap. But all those small purchases add up fast. If you are using your credit card, they won't turn out so cheap as you pay all that interest.
For example, I started buying small things thinking they were minor. But between table decorations, favors, and extras, the total grew quickly. If I had booked my venue first, I could have:
Seen what was included in the decoration.
Figured out if there was space in the venue to set it up.
Known how many guests to buy for.
I still have the tablecloth liners that I bought from Temu and didn't need.
How to Start Looking for a Venue
Start by defining the vibe with your daughter:
Casual or elegant?
Large guest list or intimate gathering?
Indoor, outdoor, or both?
Capacity matters. Luxury venues for 350+ guests are more limited. So again book early.
Touring the venue can help you visualize decor if it's not included and spend only on what you need.
Guest List Comes First (Step 2)
Before visiting venues, finalize your guest list. This step determines:
Which venues can fit your party.
Which packages apply.
How your budget flows.
✅ Summary for Moms
Save for your initial deposit — don’t spend it on the dress first; put it towards the deposit instead.
Book your venue first to lock in the date.
Look at dresses second, aiming for delivery 4-6 months before your Quince date.
Make your guest list before touring venues.
Watch small purchases — they add up quickly.
Next in the Series: Step 2
Before touring venues, your guest list must be finalized. This simple step saves moms time, money, and stress, and makes finding the perfect venue much easier.
Stay tuned for our next blog: Questions to Ask Venues & Featured Local Denver Options — everything moms need to know before booking!
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, planning a Quinceañera is a journey filled with excitement and challenges. By prioritizing your venue, you set the stage for a successful celebration. Remember, it’s all about creating beautiful memories that last a lifetime. So, let’s make it happen!
And remember, if you need a photographer who understands the importance of these moments, check out Margarita Alamillo Photography for capturing life's most precious moments!
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